Pantomime

Director: Tudor Davies Musical Director: Rick Coates Choreographer: Gerry Zuccarello Reviewer: Mark Clegg Although none of the traditional panto stories have much plot, the tale of Jack and his beanstalk may be one of the slightest. Not that this seems to have bothered the creative team behind Darlington Hippodrome’s 2019 Christmas offering – it just gives the cast more time ...

Writers: David Bown & Phil Lowe Director: Phil Lowe Musical Director: Nick Lacey Choreographer: David Kar-Hing Lee Reviewer: Ron Simpson The most celebrated pantomime figure in Yorkshire may be York Theatre Royal’s recently retired Dame, Berwick Kaler, but the theatres of the old West Riding reliably produce excellent pantomimes with, it must be said, a fair bit in common. From ...

Writer: Allan Stewart & Alan McHugh Director: Ed Curtis Reviewer: Dominic Corr How on earth have we arrived at Panto season again? Nary a month ago it felt as though Beauty & The Beast was playing at The King’s Theatre in Edinburgh, and now with tremendously happy crowds, our favourite trio returns to the stage once more. Yes, folks, not ...

Director: Anthony Williams Reviewer: Rebecca Cohen It’s second star to the right and straight on till Blackpool as Peter Pan flies into the Grand Theatre for the festive season. Featuring familiar faces and packed full of storytelling and silliness, this is a pantomime that has plenty for both adults and children alike. Unlike many pantos, the classic story of the ...

Writer: Alan McHugh Director: Jonny Bowles Choreographer: Jonny Bowles Reviewer: Lauren Humphreys If it’s a big traditional panto with plenty of glitz and sparkle you’re looking for, then Glasgow King’s certainly delivers year on year. This year’s offering is Jack and the Beanstalk, starring local panto treasures Elaine C. Smith and Johnny Mac, and save for these two local favourites, ...

Writer: Peter Rowe Director: Rob Salmon Musical Director: Dan de Cruz Reviewed by: Ruth Jepson Theatre has a tradition of hiring only the very best triple threats, those who can dance, sing and act magnificently. Rock ‘n’ Roll Panto always goes one extra and takes all the quadruple threats with a cast who not only dance, sing and act, but ...

Writer and Director: Paul Hendy Reviewer: Dan English There are very few things in the 21st century that can be classed as a modern staple of the festive season. Arguing over who gets the console controller first or debating which film to stream next could both fall into this category, but without a doubt, a tradition in the south-east is ...

Book: John Savournin Music and Lyrics: David Eaton Director: John Savournin Reviewer: Scott Matthewman Christmas pantomimes, as a rule, tend to be based on a core set of fairy tales – although, of late, stories like Pinocchio or Peter Pan have joined the canon. The other type of Christmas story, the Nativity play, tends to be restricted to primary schools. Now ...