Is it a musical? Is it panto? Is it a musical about panto? Find out when you see OH YES I AM!, arriving at London’s King’s Head from 11-12 September 2022.
BOOK REVIEW: Dick Whittington (Petite Pantos)
Mama G is back with her special brand of storytelling, this time in picture book format. Dick Whittington is the story of a young man seeking asylum in a country where it is OK to be gay.
INTERVIEW: Vikki Stone on writing an Aladdin with unlimited wishes
Love London Love Culture chatted to Vikki Stone about writing her first pantomime, Aladdin, which is now running at London’s Lyric Hammersmith until 2 January 2022.
‘A panto mashup of mayhem, song & storytelling’: SLEEPING BEAUTY & THE BEAST – Battersea Arts Centre
Following the success of 2019 ‘slumber party panto’ Goldilocks and the Three Musketeers, Sleeping Trees are back for a live residency of mayhem, song, and storytelling in the Council Chamber at Battersea Arts Centre.
INTERVIEW: Rochelle Sherona on Hackney Empire’s Jack & the Beanstalk
Rochelle Sherona chatted to Love London Love Culture about starring in the Hackney Empire’s upcoming production of Jack and the Beanstalk as Jack Trot.
NEWS: Donny Osmond joins the cast of Pantoland at The Palladium
Donny Osmond will join celebrated pantomime royalty Julian Clary, Paul Zerdin, Nigel Havers, Gary Wilmot, Jac Yarrow and Sophie Isaacs in Pantoland at The Palladium which will open at the West End theatre on 4 December 2021 and run until 9 January 2022 for a strictly limited five-week run.
NEWS: Entertainment company Crossroads Live buys Qdos Pantomimes
Crossroads Live has announced the acquisition of Qdos Pantomimes, the leading producer of pantomime across the UK. The transaction represents a further expansion of Crossroads Live, following its acquisitions of London-based David Ian Productions in 2019 and leading Australian producer, The Gordon Frost Organisation in 2020. The new company, Crossroads Pantomimes, will be led by Crossroads Theatrical Group chairman David Ian …
‘The script is jam-packed with jokes’: CINDERELLA LIVE – THE EASTER PANTO (Online review)
Packed with new jokes and songs, Cinderella Live brings an immersive and interactive home experience through a live-stream performance.
‘Brings some cheer to dull January days’: PRESS PLAY HERE – Theatre Royal Stratford East (Online review)
Choose your own programme with some mini delights in and around the Theatre Royal Stratford East building thanks to Press Play Here.
‘People can now have an audience for their work across the planet’: Mark Potter launches online company Crowd Pleaser Theatre
Director Mark Potter chatted about his new online theatre company Crowd Pleaser Theatre.
‘I wouldn’t count on us being safe until the summer at the earliest’: Mark Shenton shares his thoughts with a new daily blog for 2021
One of my new year resolutions — and one I intend to keep — is to revitalise this personal website ShentonStage as my primary editorial home this year.
‘Both mocks & celebrates this most British of theatrical styles’: POTTED PANTO (Online review)
Potted Panto is a quick and jolly canter through Pantoland hosted by a couple of energetic and resourceful performers.
‘Riotous fun from start to finish’: COVIDELLA & THE MASKED BALL – Stream.Theatre (Online review) ★★★★
Created by those involved and studying at the Musical Theatre Academy, Covidella & The Masked Ball really puts a quirky twist on the traditional story of Cinderella.
‘Incredibly imaginative & energetic’: POTTED PANTO (Online review) ★★★★
With so many pantomimes on offer at this time of year it can be tough to choose which one to watch. Thankfully Potted Panto has come to the rescue with a show which takes you through seven pantomimes in just 70 minutes.
‘The performances are wonderfully flamboyant’: RED RIDING HOOD – Hounslow (Online review) ★★★★
Overall, this is a refreshing and entertaining take on the story of Red Riding Hood that provides families a way to still have fun and joy through pantomime this Christmas season.
‘The perfect tonic to these darker times’: THE SNOW QUEEN – Ipswich (Online review) ★★★★
Full of joy and imagination with some hilarious jokes and great music choices, The Snow Queen at the New Wolsey Theatre, Ipswich is guaranteed to brighten your spirits this Christmas.
‘Has all the good cheer you could want in a panto’: RAPUNZEL: THE PANTOMIME – Musselburgh (Online review) ★★★★★
While a live audience is oxygen to panto performers, recorded Rapunzel at the Brunton Theatre, Musselburgh is a triumph, and placing the trials of 2020 the heart of this retelling of this well-loved tale makes perfect sense.
‘Lively & sharp – with just a hint of cheekiness’: Snow White In The Seven Months Of Lockdown – Charles Court Opera (Online review) ★★★★
Putting a hilarious twist on the story of Snow White and still allowing for audience participation, online pantomime Snow White In The Seven Months Of Lockdown is a real joy to watch.
‘Lively, funny show’: Snow White In The Seven Months Of Lockdown – Charles Court Opera (Online review)
The Charles Court Opera team, working at the King’s Head Theatre in Islington, presents Snow White In The Seven Months Of Lockdown.
‘All out for some action & adventure’: FROSTBITE: WHO PINCHED MY MUFF – Garden Theatre
Despite the show only having a week’s run and now closed due to London’s descent into Tier 3, Frostbite: Who Pinched my Muff? deserves recognition.