See the good, the bad and the ugly!
Christmas is the perfect time to head to the theatre for a classic pantomime or new theatrical production. Here’s your round-up of some of the best shows playing at Leicester, Nottingham and Derby this festive season and into the new year...
Peter Pan
The story of the boy who won’t grow up will take fans on a journey to Neverland with an unsuspecting Wendy Darling and her brothers as they meet the fairy Tinker Bell, the Lost Boys, the Indian princess Tiger Lily, and the evil pirate Captain Hook.
The production stars former The X Factor winner Sam Bailey, who said: “I’m so excited to be back in Leicester this Christmas. I love doing panto – it’s such a great show for families and it’s really fun to do. This year Peter Pan is going to be amazing.”
Where: Leicester De Montfort Hall Who: Sam Bailey, BBC Radio Leicester’s Martin Ballard When: December 15, 2018 to January 6, 2019.
Tickets: £14.50 to £28.50 for adults and £15 to £23.50 for under 16s.
Cat in the Hat
The production of Dr Seuss’s classic eccentric cat who causes commotion and calamity wherever he goes, including to the house of Sally and her brother while their mother is away as they’re watched over by a worrisome fish.
Jerry Gunn, Executive Producer of Rose Theatre Kingston said: “The cat’s out of the bag, and coming to Kingston for Easter 2019. We’re thrilled to be working with such a hugely talented company of actors and acrobats to bring to life the madcap mischief of one of the most popular characters in children’s fiction. This joyous new staging of Dr. Seuss’s muchloved book will overflow with music, magic and mayhem.”
Where: Leicester Curve Who: Nana Amoo-Gottfried, Charley Magalit
When: December 8, 2018 until January 12, 2019. Tickets: £10
West Side Story
If you’re looking to get ahead, tickets will be available for next year’s production of West Side Story next month. The classic production tells the story of the West Side of New York City in 1957 as gang rivalry and racial tensions rise.
But despite the tension, love at first sight strikes for Tony of the White-American Jets and Maria, the sister of Bernardo, the leader of the Puerto Rican Sharks.
Curve’s chief executive Chris Stafford and artistic director Nikolai Foster said: “West Side Story blazed a new trail in world theatre and continues to hold its ground today, decades after the Sharks & Jets first exploded on Broadway.
“Curve has developed a reputation for producing revivals of the great musicals in innovative new productions; we couldn’t be more excited to tackle this masterpiece on our stage – a stage designed for emotionally charged, epic plays which explore the human condition.
“Since we started working together at Curve, West Side Story has been a show we longed to produce. There couldn’t be a better musical to bring people together and introduce new audiences the joy of theatre; regardless of class, culture or age, West Side Story will be the perfect production to celebrate Christmas at Curve.” Where: Leicester Curve Who: Cast to be announced When: November 23, 2019 to January 11, 2020 Tickets: Tickets will go on sale on December 14.
Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs
Based on the Brothers Grimm fairy story, Snow White moves in with a group of dwarfs in at attempt to escape her wicked stepmother. She’s then tricked into eating a poison apple from her stepmother in disguise, falling into a deep sleep that only a prince can rescue her from.
Where: The Peepul Enterprise When: December 10 to December 26. Tickets: £9.50 to £12.50. Family tickets are priced at £38. Mother Goose In the village of Goose-pimple upon the Pond, the Good Fairy Tranquil-Heart presents Mother Goose with the magical gift of a golden-egglaying Goose, Pricilla. In an attempt to rule fairy-land the Evil Discontent tempts Mother Goose with the lure of beauty in exchange for the enchanted Goose. Where: The Little Theatre When: December 14 to January 6.
Tickets: £15.50 DERBYSHIRE Robin Hood and Babes in the Wood This year Ilkeston Theatre Company’s family pantomime sees some funny business when Robin Hood and his Merry Men seek to triumph over the evil Sheriff of Nottingham and her henchmen Bo and ‘Arry. Prince John tries to usurp the throne and kidnap Maid Marion’s wards, Ricky and Bianca. Will he succeed, or can dear Nursey protect them?
Where: St. John Houghton School Who: Rachael Flewitt, Angie Jacks, Lucy Tanner, Sharon Enser. When: December 5 to December 8.
Tickets: £9.50. Concessions £7.50, family tickets are £30, Under 2s free. Jack and the Beanstalk The villagers of Dappy Darley on the Derwent are under threat from a ginormous giant who’s living in a fantasy land, but when Jack – played by former Blue singer Duncan James - sells his beloved cow Pat and only gets a handful of beans, he ends up getting a little more than he bargained for. Where: Derby Arena Who: Duncan James, Morgan Brind, Lawrence Boothman. When: December 8 to January 5, 2019. Tickets: £13.50 to £31.50
The Dinosaur Who Came for Christmas
With a mix of actors in various different roles as well as exciting original songs, puppets and shadow work, kids and grown-ps alike will find out what happened when a Dinosaur stopped by for Christmas. Where: Derby Guildhall Theatre Who: Duncan James, Morgan Brind, Lawrence Boothman. When: December 7 to December 30. Tickets: £4.38 to £12.25
Cinderella
The famous story comes to life in this pantomime when Cinderella outwits her ugly stepsisters and wicked stepmum to meet her Prince Charming at the ball, only to lose her shoe on the way home. Where: Derby Guildhall Theatre When: November 29 to December 2. Tickets: £5 to £12
Beauty and the Beast
When Belle finds herself trapped inside a castle with a terrifying Beast, she ends up with a little more than she bargained for after learning more about the monster underneath his terrifying appearance. Where: Derby Guildhall Theatre Who: Aston Dobson, CBeebies’ Mr Bloom, Morgan Brind, Gwen Taylor. When: December 27 to December 31. Tickets: £16.50 to £31.50
NOTTINGHAMSHIRE Peter Pan
Fans will also be given the chance to take the trip to Neverland in Nottingham, where Joe Pasquale and Only Fools and Horses star John Challis will be starring in the classic tale.
Managing director of Qdos Entertainment, which is staging the production, Michael Harrison said: “We’re delighted to be bringing Joe Pasquale and John Challis to star in our Nottingham pantomime this year. This year’s production promises all the laughs, audience participation and magic Nottingham audiences have come to expect each festive season, and we can’t wait to bring our show to them this Christmas.” Where: Nottingham Theatre Royal Who: Joe Pasquale and John Challis When: December 8 to January 13, 2019. Tickets: £13 to £36.50.
Beauty and the Beast
It’s a tale as old as time; beautiful bookworm Belle finds herself trapped inside an enchanted chateau by a mysterious beast and must find a way to survive with the help of lively household objects Madame Macaron, Idle Jacques, Gustave and Philippe. Where: Nottingham Arts Theatre When: December 1 to December 16
Tickets: £44 to £48.
Robin Hood and the Babes in the Wood
The classic tale will see ultimate villain the Sheriff of Nottingham hatch a wicked plan to get rid of his brother’s children, the Babes in the Wood, and claim their fortune. It’s down to Robin Hood to save the day and stop the Sheriff with a little help from his Merry Men. Where: Nottingham Playhouse When: November 30 to January 19.
Tickets: From £23.50, with family tickets from £102
Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs
Much-loved British actress Sue Holderness, best known for her role as Marlene in John Sullivan’s hit BBC1 sitcom Only Fools and Horses, will be playing the villain of this year’s festive family Mansfield panto. Where: Mansfield Palace Theatre Who: Sue Holderness. When: December 1 to January 6, 2019. Tickets: Tickets are priced at £18 for adults, £17 for concessions, £15.50 for children and £60 for families of four.
Aladdin
With a law decreeing that the princess can only marry a prince, and the evil Abanazar up to no good, it looks as though Aladdin’s dreams may never come true. And he’s not the only one! Aladdin’s mum, Widow Twankey, has got the mixed-up Chinese laundry blues; her other son Wishee Washee is being particularly unhelpful; and they’re also very poor... If only Aladdin could make his fortune and then all their wishes could come true. Where: Newark Palace Theatre When: December 7 to December 31
Tickets: £19.50 to £21.