7:00am Tuesday 24th November 2009
IT’S panto time again, and there’s plenty of choice throughout the region, with everything from star-studded pantos to less bling-laden but equally fun-filled productions.
GLOUCESTER
King’s Theatre
Puss in Boots
A fun-filled family pantomime to delight all ages from five to 95 years. It’s a tale of magical moments when you can cheer the goodies and hiss and boo the villains – oh yes you can! You’ll meet the marvellous moggy Sylvester, the poor put-upon Tweety Pie and the evil sorcerer Orlando, with his nasty sidekicks Boris and Doris. Mix in romantic rendezvous, sparkling songs and dances, and loads of laughter and you have a feast of fun to get you in the mood for a fantastic Christmas December 9 to December 12. Box office Gloucester Tourist Information on 01452 396572
Gloucester Guildhall
Dick Whittington
In association with The Panto Company and Heart 102.4 FM.
Our hero journeys to London to seek his fortune, accompanied by his faithful cat. But gold soon becomes the least of his worries when he is smitten with Alice Fitzwarren, the Alderman’s daughter, and is confronted with the baddest of all pantomime baddies – King Rat!
Full of up-to-date songs, great costumes and more fun than your granny can shake a stick at!
Join Dick Whittington and the gang as he travels to Siam, then returns to face his greatest challenge yet – becoming Lord Mayor of London – in a show that travels at a thousand miles an hour.
December 22 to December 30. Box office 01452 503050, email guildhall.boxoffice@ gloucester.gov.uk or book online at gloucester.gov.uk/ guildhall.
BIRMINGHAM
Birmingham Hippodrome
Sleeping Beauty
Returning triumphantly to the Hippodrome stage for the third time, following record-breaking runs in Jack and the Beanstalk and Peter Pan, the hilarious Joe Pasquale heads the cast of the country’s biggest pantomime as Muddles.
As well as numerous TV appearances, Joe has toured extensively across the UK to sell-out audiences in his solo show.
Joining Joe as The Prince will be X-Factor finalist and Dancing on Ice winner Ray Quinn, who recently wowed Birmingham audiences when he appeared in the arena tour of the ice show.
There is nothing like a dame...and there is no other dame quite like the wonderfully outrageous Ceri Dupree, who plays the role of Lady Passionella in Sleeping Beauty. Hippodrome audiences will never have seen such a colourful wardrobe of costumes!
Adding a touch of glamour to the show in the role of Princess Beauty is the beautiful Lucy Evans, best known for her most recent part in Coronation Street as Lauren Wilson and appearances in Hollyoaks and Holby City. December 19 to January 31. Box office 0844 338 5000 or visit birminghamhippodrome.com.
CARDIFF
New Theatre
Robin Hood
Following two record-breaking Christmas seasons in Birmingham, where he led the cast in achieving the highest ever sales for a pantomime, John Barrowman returns to Cardiff’s New Theatre in a spectacular and unmissable production of Robin Hood – The Pantomime Adventure.
John Barrowman is known as the entertainer with a capital E! and is one of the country’s most sought-after stars.
Appearing alongside John is the multi-talented Don Maclean in the role of Friar Tuck and the ever-popular Welsh entertainer Andy Jones as Will Scarlett.
Robin Hood – The Pantomime Adventure is produced by Qdos Entertainment, the world’s largest pantomime producer. The show is devised, written and directed by Paul Elliott and choreographed by Paul Robinson.
With a record number of 24,000 tickets already sold for this year’s show, don’t leave it any longer to book your seats for what promises to be Wales’ most successful panto ever.
Robin Hood – The Pantomime Adventure runs from Saturday, December 12, to Sunday, January 24. Tickets can be booked on 029 2087 8889 or online at newtheatrecardiff.co.uk.
CHELTENHAM
Everyman Theatre
Sleeping Beauty
The magical tale of the princess destined by a curse to prick her finger on a spinning wheel and fall asleep for 100 years.
Set in a fairytale kingdom of Camelot with King Arthur and Merlin, an exciting story full of handsome knights and princes, an evil witch to defeat and a beautiful and sleepy princess to save will unfold.
Add to all that a dash of swashbuckling, a crazy schoolroom scene, some slapstick, a sing-a-long and a marathon sleepover – and you’re certain to have a really great time.
November 28 to January 10. Box office 01242 572573 or visit everymantheatre. org.uk.
BRISTOL
Bristol Hippodrome
Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs
Mirror, mirror on the wall – which is the most spectacular panto of them all? Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs has a fantastic cast featuring Kara Tointon (Eastenders) as Snow White, Joe Swash (Eastenders, I’m A Celebrity Get Me Out Of Here) as the Prince and hilarious comic Andy Ford as Muddles Snow White has a hilarious script, sparkling sets, lavish costumes, romance, comedy and bags of audience participation. With big song and dance numbers and a magic mirror full of surprises, it is sure to delight the whole family.
Will Snow White meet her Prince Charming? Will the dwarfs overcome the Wicked Queen’s magic spells? All will be revealed in a magical pantomime adventure.
December 11 to January 10. To book, visit ofsstudio.org.uk.
BATH
Theatre Royal Bath
Sleeping Beauty
This Christmas, the Theatre Royal Bath and UK Productions present Sleeping Beauty, a wonderful fairy story full of all the essential family panto elements. This new production features not only lavish sets and costumes, but also dazzling special effects, including flying sequences.
Liza Goddard, one of the UK’s most popular actresses, plays the Good Fairy, with EastEnders and Hollyoaks star Gemma Bissix as the Bad Fairy. Much-loved panto specialist Chris Harris returns by huge popular demand to play Dame Nurse Nelly and Tom Owen from Last of the Summer Wine plays the role of King alongside local comedian and presenter Jon Monie as Billy Muddles and Natalie Marie Dignam as Sleeping Beauty.
Thursday, December 17, to Sunday, January 24. Box office 01225 448844 or visit theatreroyal.org.uk.
Market Theatre
Cinderella
Loads of laughs – loads of corny jokes (oh yes they are) – plus two Dames for the price of one in Ledbury’s take on the classic tale of glass slippers, handsome princes and Ugly Sisters. Directed by Andrew Hill.
December 21 to 23. December 27 to 30. Box office: Ledbury Tourist Information office, 9.30am to 4.30pm Monday to Saturday. 01531 636147.
SHREWSBURY
Shrewsbury Theatre Severn
Peter Pan
You’re invited on a journey beyond your imagination. Escape to Neverland with the boy who never grew up – Peter Pan. Join Wendy, John and Michael as they soar into the night sky with Peter, to a magical land of mermaids, lost boys, Indians and pixie dust, where children can fly and adventures happen every day.
Peter Pan stars Emmerdale’s Matt Healy. Tuesday, December 9, to Sunday, January 3. Call 01743 281281 or visit theatresevern.co.uk.
WORCESTER
Swan Theatre
Dick Whittington
Christmas magic and great family entertainment with glittering costumes, lots of sing-a-longs and plenty of chances to join in the fun.
Join Dick Whittington and his cat on their adventures to London and beyond – will the streets really be paved with gold? Will he clear his name and defeat the evil King Rat? And will he win the heart of the fair Alice?
December 7 to January 3. Box office 01905 611427 or visit ticketweb.co.uk.
ABERGAVENNY
Borough Theatre
Mother Goose
Meet Mother Goose, her son Silly Billy and her lovely goose, Priscilla – but watch out for Squire Sludge, who is out to steal Priscilla’s golden eggs… Can Fairy Bowbells help Mother Goose to save the day? A captivating pantomime offering plenty of fun, laughter, music and surprises for the whole family to enjoy. Suitable for ages three-plus. Saturday, December 19, 1pm and 4pm. To book, call the box office on 01873 850805.
Treasure Island
Abergavenny Pantomime Company, Wales’s oldest pantomime company presents Treasure Island, a tale of pirates and buried gold. February 15 to 20. Box office 01873 850805
LUDLOW
Assembly Rooms
Aladdin
Presented by LADS Drama Group.
Follow the journey of Aladdin, his brother Wishee and the outrageous Widow Twanky.
January 19 to January 24. Box office 01584 873229.
BRECON
Theatr Brycheiniog
Jack and the Beanstalk
Owen Money Pantomime Company presents Jack And The Beanstalk until Sunday, November 22.
Mike Doyle stars in a magical production, full to the brim of laughter, music and action. Box office 01874 611622.
Theatr Brycheiniog
Hercules the Pantomime
Be part of the festivities as Brecon’s Westenders make their welcome return to Theatr Brycheiniog. Bringing joy and laughter to young and old, this wonderful theatre society presents Hercules the Pantomime.
January 16 to January 23. Box office theatrbrycheiniog. ticketsolve.com or call 01874 611622.
Orleton Village Hall
Snow White and The Seven Dwarf Investment Bankers A unique interpretation of the classic story of the princess, the wicked queen, a poisoned apple and seven dwarfs.
Thursday, November 26, to Saturday, November 28, at 7.30pm, with a matinee performance on Saturday, November 28.
Tickets from Orleton Post Office Stores or box office on 01568 780244.
NEWPORT
The Riverfront
Peter Pan
Peter Pan, the Darling children, their wonderful dog Nana and the magical Tinkerbell will fly through colourful and exotic worlds, engaging in swashbuckling adventures.
Box office on 01633 656767 or visit newport.gov.uk/panto.
BUILTH WELLS
Wyeside Arts Centre
Romeo and Juliet
One wedding, a funeral and a less than efficient postal system combine to create comic mayhem and tragic consequences in the trademark Oddsocks style that audiences have become addicted to over recent years.
Sunday, December 2,7 and Monday, December 28, at 7.30pm. Box office 01982 552555.
KILPECK
Sinbad and the Curse of Kernow
Thursday, December 10, and Saturday, December 12, at 7.30pm. Matinee on Saturday at 2.30pm.
Cinderella
Presented by Hereford Amateur Pantomime Society. The traditional story is given a few new twists as the Fairy Godmother and Buttons embrace the age of technology.
Tuesday, February 16, to Saturday, February 20.
Curzon Herrick Village Hall
Ali Baba and the 40 Thieves
Presented by Eardisley Little Theatre Club. The story of two brothers, a cave piled high with glittering treasure and plenty of intrigue. Open Sesame!
December 2 to December 5 at 7.30pm, with a matinee on Saturday, December 5, at 2.30pm.
Tickets are available from the village shop or Val Lewis 01544 327700.
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