It’s that time of year again (oh yes it is) where audiences flock to their local theatres to see the seasonal panto, and this year the New Victoria Theatre, Woking are providing the glitziest of night’s out with their version of Cinderella.
‘A frenetic & highly entertaining performance’: POTTED PANTO – West End
Panto, as most British traditions, is a deeply weird thing but entertains many families over the Christmas period.
‘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.
‘A witty, fast-paced musical adventure’: THE LEGEND OF MOBY DICK WHITTINGTON – Sleeping Trees (Online review)
The Sleeping Trees’ The Legend of Moby Dick Whittington is a witty, fast-paced musical adventure that’s full of surprises and will have audiences of all ages joining in from (and possibly on, behind or under) their sofas.
NEWS: Hackney Empire, Lyric Hammersmith , Queen’s Theatre Hornchurch & Theatre Royal Stratford East postpone their 2020 pantos
Hackney Empire, Lyric Hammersmith Theatre, Queen’s Theatre Hornchurch and Theatre Royal Stratford East will be postponing their 2020 pantomimes by a year due to the continued uncertainty of government guidelines for restarting public performances.
‘So few people get told that it’s okay to be yourself’: Robert Pearce on how & why he created panto dame Mama G
“The only thing you need to improve is your trust that you are fabulous!” That’s the message at the heart of Mama G’s Story Time Roadshow, the one-Dame show that comes to the Lion & Unicorn Theatre from 21 to 26 May 2019. Read what performer Robert Pearce told us about creating the character and spreading her important message, then book your tickets!
PHOTOS: Peek into the glamorous world of Mama G’s Story Time Roadshow
Boas, beehives, blusher and… glove puppets. Discover the world of Mama G’s Story Time Roadshow with these fantastic production images, the book your tickets for this celebration of being who you want to be.
WATCH: Enter the glitter-filled, twerking world of Mama G with the trailer for her Story Time Roadshow
If daily life has you hankering for a touch of sequins, a ruffled feather boa and a lot of sparkly, judgement-free love, check out this trailer for Mama G’s Story Time Roadshow, then book your tickets to see Mama G in person.
NEWS: Panto dame Mama G brings her Story Time Roadshow to London’s Lion & Unicorn Theatre
Mama G, the fabulous panto alter ego of actor Robert Pearce, will spread her message of love and acceptance of all at the Lion & Unicorn Theatre this spring, when she brings her own show, Mama G’s Story Time Roadshow to London in May. Book your tickets now!
‘I didn’t see anybody who wasn’t smiling’: ALADDIN – Dartford
The promise “Everything you could wish for in a panto” I would say underplays what we actually got. Aladdin at the Orchard Theatre, Dartford was so much more.
‘Even the teenagers enjoyed it’: ALADDIN – New Wimbledon Theatre ★★★
Panto season is upon us once again, and this year at the New Wimbledon Theatre, we are transported to Old Peking in Aladdin.
‘Anything but washed out’: ALADDIN – Hackney Empire ★★★★
Writer/director Susie McKenna delivers her 20th festive production – Aladdin – with a show that captures the diversity of her London patch, yet cleverly avoids cultural appropriation and all the while managing to maintain the joyous irreverence that makes pantomime such a glorious British Christmas tradition.
‘It’s got something for all the family’: Su Pollard stars in Malvern Theatres’ Snow White & the Seven Dwarfs
Actress Su Pollard has long been a favourite performer of mine, both on screen and in her various stage roles. As a pantomime villain she’s second to none, so I was delighted to hear she was going to play the Wicked Queen in Malvern Theatres’ pantomime this year, Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs.
The Show People Podcast: Back from Broadway, musicals leading man Alistair Brammer
It’s the hottest day of the year when this podcast is recorded – and we’ve got a leading man to match! Actor Alistair Brammer joins host and director Andrew Keates for this episode of the Show People Podcast, after playing Chris in both the Broadway and West End productions of Miss Saigon.
NEWS: Hackney Empire marks 20 years of pantomimes with a new Aladdin
Hackney Empire has announced Aladdin as its 2018 pantomime and 20th anniversary production which will arrive in true Hackney style this Christmas as the venue marks its landmark year with the classic tale.
Pantomime season is nearly over, oh yes, it is! What were your Top 5 this year?
Choosing my top five favourites from amongst the pantomimes I had the great pleasure and privilege of watching has been really easy! Here they are…. oh yes, they are…. (I need to stop that).
CINDERELLA – Liverpool ★★★★★
With a small cast of lead roles, an extremely able ensemble and a set to rival most of the pantomimes I’ve seen this season – it’s one to bag a ticket for if you can.
DICK WHITTINGTON – West End
Following critical and commercial success with last year’s Cinderella, QDOS Entertainment have again invested millions to make Dick Whittington the biggest, boldest and glitziest pantomime on the London circuit.
Robin Hood & the Babes in the Wood (with Sandy Grigelis) – Stafford ★★★★★
It’s been a long time since I last saw Robin Hood And The Babes In The Wood performed, and it was a very different incarnation to the Rock ‘N’ Roll version currently being staged at Stafford Gatehouse Theatre. This particular version has become one of my favourite pantomimes of the season!
INTERVIEW: Spotlight On… Sandy Grigelis
‘I just love the festive season anyway, it’s something which doesn’t take itself too seriously – you know what you’re going to get with a pantomime.’