It's the most wonderful time of the year... Panto season! The most random collection of celebrities appear together on stage in shows where the plot is usually non-existent but the fun is unparalleled. This Christmas it's bigger than ever with countless pantos up and down the country. There you'll be able to catch West End stars, musical theatre legends, your favourite singers, TV stars and even TikTok sensations!
Trying to collate this, I didn't realise just how many pantos there are with 100s up and down the country. It was impossible to gather them all so this is barely scratching the surface. Here are just some of my top picks to catch this Christmas:
ABERDEEN:
THE PANTOMIME ADVENTURES OF PETER PAN (His Majesty’s Theatre)
3rd December – 8th January 2023
Starring Brendan Cole, Alan McHugh, Paul J Corrigan and Danielle Jam
AYLESBURY:
ALADDIN (Waterside Theatre)
2nd December - 2nd January 2023
Starring Davood Ghadami, Andy Collins and La Voix.
Tickets from
BIRMINGHAM:
DICK WHITTINGTON (Hippodrome)
17th December – 29th January 2023
Starring Marti Pellow, Matt Slack, Dr Ranj and Suzanne Shaw
Tickets from www.birminghamhippodrome.com
BLACKPOOL:
SLEEPING BEAUTY (Blackpool Grand)
2nd December - 1st January 2023
Starring Hayley Tamaddon and Steve Royle
Tickets from https://www.blackpoolgrand.co.uk/
BRIGHTON:
CINDERELLA (Floral Pavillion
3rd December – 2nd January 2023
Starring Lee Latchford-Evans, Katrina Bryan and Sean Jones
Tickets from https://www.floralpavilion.com/
BRISTOL:
CINDERELLA (Hippodrome)
4th - 31st December
Starring Craig Revel Horwood, Andy Ford and Alison Jiear
Tickets from https://prf.hn/click/camref:1100lpV2v/destination:https://www.atgtickets.com/shows/cinderella/bristol-hippodrome/
BROMLEY:
JACK AND THE BEANSTALK (Churchill Theatre)
4th – 31st December
Starring Anton Du Beke, Lloyd Hollett and Rhiana Drummond.
Tickets from https://churchilltheatre.co.uk
CANTERBURY:
SLEEPING BEAUTY (Marlowe Theatre)
25th November – 8th January 2023
Starring Carrie Hope Fletcher and Ore Oduba
Tickets from https://marlowetheatre.com
CINDERELLA (Malthouse Theatre)
15th December – 2nd January 2023
Starring Joseph Gardner Hodges, Natasha Hoeberigs, Tim Edwards, Alice Audrey O’Hanlon, Harry F Brown, Tatenda Madamobe and Dudley Rodgers
Tickets from www.malthousetheatre.co.uk
CARDIFF:
THE LION, THE BITCH AND THE WARDROBE (Wales Millennium Centre)
8th – 31st December
This Queer alternative Christmas show beings drag, musical theatre and burlesque to the land of Narnia
Tickets from www.wmc.org.uk
SNOW WHITE (New Theatre)
10th December – 8th January 2023
Starring Ian H Watkins, Gareth Thomas, Sian reeves and Mike Doyle
Tickets from www.newtheatrecardiff.co.uk
CARLISLE:
ALADDIN (Sands Centre)
12th - 31st December
Starring Marcus Collins and Keith Jack
CAMBRIDGE:
DICK WHITTINGTON AND HIS CAT
1st - 8th December
Starring Matt Crosby, Rolan Bell, Adrian Grove, Luke Baker and Charlie Cameron
COLCHESTER:
BEAUTY AND THE BEAST (Mercury Theatre)
26th November – 15th January 2023
CROYDON:
THE FURTHER ADVENTURES OF PETER PAN (Fairfield Halls)
December 10th - 31st
Tickets from https://www.fairfield.co.uk/events/peter-pan-panto
DARTFORD:
CINDERELLA (Orchard Theatre)
10th – 31st December
Starring George Shelley, Bobby Davro and Regan Gascoigne, Ellie Jane Grant and Bree Smith
Tickets from https://orchardtheatre.co.uk
EDINBURGH:
SNOW WHITE (Capital Theatres)
17th December - 22nd January 2023
Tickets from https://www.capitaltheatres.com/whats-on/all-shows/the-kings-panto-snow-white-and-the-seven-dwarfs/54
FOLKESTONE:
ALADDIN (Leas Cluff Hall)
9th - 31st December
Starring Nicole Faraday
Tickets from https://prf.hn/click/camref:1100lpV2v/destination:https://www.atgtickets.com/shows/aladdin/leas-cliff-hall/
GLASGOW:
BEAUTY AND THE BEAST (King's Theatre, Glasgow)
26th November – 31st December
Starring Elaine C Smith and Johnny Mac
GODALMING:
SLEEPING BEAUTY (Borough Hall)
10th – 26th December
Tickets from www.GodalmingPanto.com
GUILDFORD:
THROBBIN’ HOOD & HIS LITTLE JOHN (Back Room of the Star Inn)
Strictly for over 18’s only.
Tickets from www.guildfordfringe.com
HAYES:
CINDERELLA (Beck Theatre)
9th – 31st December
Starring Sue Holderness, Nathan Connor and Parle Patel
Tickets from www.becktheatre.org.uk
HORNCHURCH:
SLEEPING BEAUTY (Queens Theatre)
24th November - 31st December
Starring Dominic Gee-Burch, Alex Tomkins and Laura Sillett
Tickets from www.queens-theatre.co.uk
IPSWICH:
GOLDILOCKS AND THE THREE BEARS – THE ROCK ‘N’ ROLL PANTO (New Wolsey Theatre)
24th November – 28th January 2023
Starring Hannah Baker, Richard Costello, Will Hamilton, Adam Langstaff and Luke Thornton.
Tickets from www.wolseytheatre.co.uk
LEEDS:
CINDERELLA (Carriageworks Theatre)
25th November – 8th January 2023
Starring Jez Edwards, Anna Phylactic and Aaron Steadman
Tickets from www.carriageworkstheatre.co.uk
LEICESTER:
CINDERELLA (De Montford Hall)
10th December - 2nd January 2023
Starring AJ Pritchard, Curtis Pritchard, Evie Pickerill, Jarred Christmas, Madison Swan and Richard J Fletcher
Tickets from https://www.demontforthall.co.uk
LIVERPOOL:
RED RIDING HOOD (Everyman Theatre)
25th November – 14th January 2023
LONDON:
JACK AND THE BEANSTALK (London Palladium)
10th December – 15th January 2023
Starring Julian Clary, Dawn French, Paul Zerdin, Gary Wilmot, Nigel Havers, Natalie McQueen, Rob Madge and Louis Gaunt.
Tickets from https://lwtheatres.co.uk/
POTTED PANTO (Apollo Theatre)
17th December - 8th January 2023
7 classic pantomimes in 70 minutes. This Olivier award nominated show is fun for all ages.
Tickets from https://nimaxtheatres.com/shows/potted-panto/
SING-DERELLA: THE KARAOKE PANTO (Omnibus Theatre, Clapham)
1st – 17th December
With a different guest performer each night with only a karaoke machine and a dance mat to guide them
THE WIZARD OF POZ: DEFYING BIGOTRY (Two Brewers)
7th – 22nd December
This filthy-mouthed show with a big heart unpacks the myths surrounding HIV with levity and love.
Tickets from https://thecabaretgeek.com/panto/.
MOTHER GOOSE (Hackney Empire)
19th November – 31st December
Starring and directed by Clive Rowe
Tickets from www.hackneyempire.co.uk
CINDERELLA (Theatre Royal Stratford East)
19th November – 7th January 2023
Turning the story on its head to make it relevant to the local community and belong.
Tickets from https://www.stratfordeast.com/
JACK AND THE BEANSTALK (Lyric Theatre)
19th November - 7th January 2023
Starring Emmanuel Akwafo, Maddison Bulleyment, Jodie Jacobs, Leah St Luce and Finlay McGuigan.
Tickets from lyric.co.uk
LOWESTOFT:
JACK AND THE BEANSTALK (Marina Theatre, Lowestoft)
13th December – 1st January 2023
Starring Sam Callahan, John Lyons and Terry Gleed
Tickets from https://www.marinatheatre.co.uk/
MANCHESTER:
PETER PAN (Opera House)
10th - 31st December
Starring Jason Manford and Ben Nickless
Tickets from https://prf.hn/click/camref:1100lpV2v/destination:https://www.atgtickets.com/venues/opera-house-manchester/
MILTON KEYNES:
SNOW WHITE AND THE SEVEN DWARFS (Milton Keynes Theatre)
10th December - 8th January 2023
Starring Paul Chuckle, Rob Rinder and Lesley Joseph
NEWBURY:
JACK AND THE BEANSTALK (Corn Exchange)
25th November – 31st December
Tickets from https://cornexchangenew.com/
NEWCASTLE:
CINDERELLA (Theatre Royal)
29th November - 15th January 2023
Starring Joe McElderry
Tickets from https://www.theatreroyal.co.uk/whats-on/cinderella
NORTHAMPTON:
JACK AND THE BEANSTALK (Royal and Derngate)
9th December – 2nd January 2023
Starring Keala Settle, Alex Lodge, Richard David-Caine, Bob Golding and Cara Dudgeon
Tickets from www.royalandderngate.co.uk
NORWICH:
JACK AND THE BEANSTALK (Norwich Theatre)
10th December - 7th January 2023
Starring Joe Tracini, Rufus Hound, Amanda Henderson, Sally Hodgkiss, Dayle Hudson and Linda-John Pierre.
NOTTINGHAM:
SNOW WHITE (Theatre Royal)
3rd December – 8th January 2023
Starring Joe Pasquale and Faye Tozer
Tickets from https://trch.co.uk/
OXFORD:
CINDERELLA (Playhouse)
25th November – 8th January 2023
PORTSMOUTH:
CINDERELLA (Kings Theatre)
2nd – 31st December
Starring Jack Edwards, Grant Urquhart, Julia Worsley, Harry Howle and Ben Ofoedu
Tickets from https://www.kingsportsmouth.co.uk/
READING:
JACK AND THE BEANSTALK (Hexagon)
3rd December - 2nd January 2023
Starring Justin Fletcher and Paul Morse
REDHILL:
CINDERELLA (Harlequin Theatre, Redhill)
9th – 31st December
Tickets from https://harlequintheatre.co.uk/events/cinderella/
RICHMOND:
GOLDILOCKS AND THE THREE BEARS (Richmond Theatre)
3rd - 31st December
Starring Matt Baker, Jessica Martin and Nigel Ellacott
Tickets from https://prf.hn/click/camref:1100lpV2v/destination:https://www.atgtickets.com/venues/richmond-theatre/
SHEFFIELD:
JACK AND THE BEANSTALK (Lyceum)
2nd December - 3rd January 2023
Starring Wendi Peters, Damian Williams, Maxwell Thorpe, Marc Pickering, Sam Turrell, Joey Wilby, Sarah Freer, plus CBeebies’ favourite Waffle The Wonder Dog.
SOUTHAMPTON:
GOLDILOCKS AND THE THREE BEARS (Mayflower Theatre)
10th - 31st December
Starring Jason Donovan, Faye Brookes, Richard Caldwell & Sooty
ST ALBANS:
JACK AND THE BEANSTALK (Alban Arena)
9th December - 2nd January 2023
Starring Shaun Williamson, Chanice Alexander-Burnett, AJ Jenks, Damian Patton and Lauren Chia.
Tickets from https://alban-arena.co.uk/events/jack-the-beanstalk/
STOKE ON TRENT:
THE PANTOMINE ADVENTURES OF PETER PAN (Regent Theatre)
9th - 31st December
Starring Jonathan Wilkes, Kai Owen, Amanda Coutts, Rory Sutherland and Hannah Everest
Tickets from https://www.atgtickets.com/venues/regent-theatre/
SUNDERLAND:
ALADDIN (Empire)
9th December - 2nd January 2023
Starring Gary Lucy, Miss Rory and Tom Whalley
Tickets from https://prf.hn/click/camref:1100lpV2v/destination:https://www.atgtickets.com/shows/aladdin/sunderland-empire/
TORQUAY:
ALADDIN (Princess Theatre)
9th - 31st December
Starring Ruth Madoc and Ricky Norwood
Tickets from https://prf.hn/click/camref:1100lpV2v/destination:https://www.atgtickets.com/shows/aladdin/princess-theatre-torquay/
WATFORD:
BEAUTY AND THE BEAST (Palace Theatre)
3rd - 31st December
Tickets from https://watfordpalacetheatre.co.uk/
WIMBLEDON:
SNOW WHITE (New Wimbledon Theatre)
3rd – 31st December
Starring Ruthie Henshall, Brenda Edwards, Lee Mead, Matthew Kelly, Dick & Dom, John Archer and Hannah Lowther.
WINCHESTER:
The Wizard Of Oz (Theatre Royal)
3rd December – 2nd January 2023
WOKING:
CINDERELLA (New Victoria Theatre)
2nd - 31st December
Starring Brian Conley
Tickets from https://prf.hn/click/camref:1100lpV2v/destination:https://www.atgtickets.com/venues/new-victoria-theatre/
WOLVERHAMPTON:
ALADDIN (Wolverhampton Grand)
3rd December – 7th January 2023
Starring Zoe Birkett and Michael Greco
Tickets from https://www.grandtheatre.co.uk/
YORK:
OLD GRANNY GOOSE (Grand Opera House)
10th December - 9th January 2023
There is one panto this year that is breaking the mould, spending December in Brighton and the West End before continuing around the UK until Easter 2023. It could be the mother of all pantos this year:
MOTHER GOOSE (West End and UK Tour)
3rd - 11th December (Theatre Royal, Brighton)
15th December - 29th January 2023 (Duke Of York's Theatre, London)
7th February - 1st April 2023 (UK Tour - Multiple Dates)
Because a panto is for life, not just for Christmas - you'll be able to catch this all star panto beyond Christmas as it tours the UK until Easter 2023. Starring Ian McKellen and John Bishop alongside West End favourites including Anna-Jane Casey and Oscar Conlon-Morrey, full dates and tickets at https://mothergooseshow.co.uk So there you have it. Plenty to keep kids and big kids amused all month long.
Apologies if I didn't get one in your local area, but hopefully there is something for everyone here.
Look out for more listings on the website in the coming weeks:
- 25 of the top shows opening in December
- 12 Christmas picks
- And a big 2023 preview