As the festive season approaches and we start to dig out our winter coats, many of us will be asking ‘Where’s the best pantomime in Surrey and South West London this Christmas?’ It’s behind you! Well, actually, it isn’t – it’s in the list below
Ian Stratton
David Myers and the cast of The Harlequin Theatre's panto, Peter Pan
There is something so wonderfully odd and British about a good pantomime. I remember trying to explain the concept to a gent from Denmark while I was backpacking around Australia: "So basically, a group of D-C list celebrities who are desperately trying to stay famous dress up in completely over the top drag and have slogans shouted at them by families, all while making smutty jokes and performing musical numbers." You could have done algebra with the man's look of nonplussed confusion, and it took me a full week of corroboration from other British backpackers before he accepted that I wasn't making the whole thing up to take the mick. He finally conceded that I was telling the truth with the wonderful Australianism: "You Poms are bloody weird you know."
While that may well be the case, in my personal opinion pantomimes, like Christmas pudding and Brussels sprouts, are an admittedly questionable but undoubtedly indispensable staple of the festive period. Fortunately for those who are of the same persuasion, there's a cornucopia of different pantos and Christmas shows around Surrey and SW London during the build up to Christmas – from traditional 'He's behind you' pantomimes starring the likes of Basil Brush, Al Murray and Christopher Biggins, to outdoor nativity plays and even festive ballet; there's something for everyone...
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Dick Whittington at Yvonne Arnaud Theatre
December 8 – January 7
This year the Yvonne Arnaud Theatre will be showing Dick Whittington. This traditional family panto tells the rags-to-riches adventure story of Dick Whittington and his cat, whose move to rat-infested London from their impoverished home provides Dick's cat with the perfect hunting ground for success.
The cast for 2017 includes Kane Verrall (The Sound of Music), who plays the title role of Dick Whittington, whilst definitive Panto baddie Kit Hesketh-Harvey returns to Guildford as the rebellious King Rat. Judy Cornwell, best known for her role in British sitcom Keeping Up Appearances, will also be dazzling the stage with her performance as Fairy Bowbells.
Price: £20.00 – £28.50
For tickets visit http://www.yvonne-arnaud.co.uk
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CRAIG SUGDEN
Aladdin at Richmond Theatre
December 9 – January 14
Richmond Theatre will be captivating its audiences with Aladdin as its panto this year; the spell-bounding adventure that features flying carpets, a wish-granting genie, an evil sorcerer and a beautiful love story.
The cast includes panto legend Christopher Biggins (in his penultimate panto performance!), TV and radio’s Count Arthur Strong, Fascinating Aïda and West End star Issy Van Randwyck and the hilarious Rikki Jay, comedian extraordinaire.
Price: £12.00 – £42.50
For tickets visit atgtickets.com
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Robin Hood at New Victoria Theatre
New Victoria Theatre Peacocks Centre, Victoria Way, Woking, GU21 6GQ
December 9 – January 7
The New Victoria Theatre has chosen the ultimate pantomime adventure Robin Hood to sweep its stage this winter. Packed with comedy, action, adventure and love, Robin Hood and his trusty band of Merry Men try to outwit the evil Sheriff of Nottingham, while Robin simultaneously strives to win the hand of the beautiful Maid Marion.
The cast stars one of the nation’s favourite soap actors, Shane Richie, as Robin Hood who will be wielding his bow and arrow, swapping Eastenders' Albert Square for Sherwood Forest. I think I'd take the Sheriff over Phil Mitchell any day!
Price: £14.00 – £42.50
For tickets visit atgtickets.com
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Alice in Winterland at Rose Theatre
December 7 – January 7
Curioser and curioser! The Rose Theatre will be enchanting audiences this winter with its new festive stage production, Alice in Winterland. Based on Lewis Carroll’s timeless books Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland and Through the Looking Glass, audiences can look forward to a familiar journey as Alice meets the White Rabbit, Mad Hatter and Queen of Hearts while on a quest to save Winterland. As usual, the Rose's Christmas production will star a core of professional actors alongside members of the Rose Youth Theatre.
“We're all mad here.”
Price: £10.00 – £35.00
For tickets visit rosetheatrekingston.org
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Jack and the Beanstalk at New Wimbledon Theatre
December 9 – January 14
The New Wimbledon Theatre's panto is always a star-studded affair and this year is no different, with the country's most outspoken publican Al Murray, and Olivier Award winner Clive Rowe leading an all-star cast.
Follow Jack, his hapless brother and mother Dame Trot as they climb a beanstalk of gigantic proportions to reach Cloudland where Jack will have to fight to save the beautiful Princess, outwit an evil giant and win riches beyond his wildest dreams.
Price: £15.00 – £46.50
For tickets visit atgtickets.com
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Nativity Play at Wintershall
Bramley, Guildford, GU5 0LR
December 13-17
An epic show depicting the tale of the birth of Jesus Christ, the Wintershall Nativity has been performed both indoors and outdoors for decades. Dramatic and intimate, the performance is complete with shepherds and sheep, donkeys and – of course – the three wise men on (real) horseback!
Come warmly dressed and don't forget to buy a Mince pie and a hot drink before this spectacular performance.
Price: £9.00 - £18.00
For tickets visit wintershall-estate.com
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Ian Stratton
Peter Pan at Harlequin Theatre
December 8-31
This Christmas, the Harlequin Theatre is putting on a production of Peter Pan. Defying gravity and mesmerising audiences, Wendy, Michael and John Darling fly from the rooftops of Victorian London to join Peter, the Lost Boys and the fairy Tinkerbell in Never Land.
With high-flying performances expected, and a star turn by Hairy Biker Dave Myers as Captain Hook, this is definitely one not to be missed. I do believe in fairies, I do, I do!
Price: £16.00 – £23.00
For tickets visit harlequintheatre.co.uk
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Sleeping Beauty at Theatre Royal
November 29 – January 7
The Theatre Royal in Windsor will be showing Sleeping Beauty as its panto. The magical tale of true love is a traditional family favourite about the rescue of Princess Aurora, who has been cursed by the evil Maleficent into a deep sleep which can only be ended with a kiss from her betrothed, Prince Phillip (not that one).
The cast features everyone’s foxy favourite, Basil Brush, alongside Windsor’s winning duo, Kevin Cruise and Steven Blakeley, and iconic DJ Mike Read. BOOM BOOM!
Price: £17.00 – £34.00
For tickets visit tickets.theatreroyalwindsor.co.uk
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Jack and the Beanstalk at Leatherhead Theatre
December 20-30
Another showing of the classic panto, Jack and the Beanstalk. Clearly popular in 2017!
Once again, the classic fairy tale follows hero Jack Trott who manages to sell his family's only valuable possession, Daisy the Cow, for just a handful of beans. Events conspire to lead Jack on a magical quest to defeat the evil Giant Blunderbore and win the hand of the King's beautiful daughter, all while avoiding the Giant's dinner plate.
Panto baddy Tom Beard, who played last year's Viscount Biscuit, returns to head another fantastic cast which includes Leatherhead's very own local children's talent.
Price: £12.50 - £15.50
For tickets visit leatherhead-tickets.co.uk
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Aladdin on Ice at Spectrum
December 15-17
Spectrum will be transformed this Christmas as the popular pantomime Aladdin takes to the ice. Arabian adventures with a Bollywood twist, this adaptation of the classic has all the ingredients for a great show, including performances from some of the region's up-and-coming skating stars. If nothing else, it'll certainly be a unique experience watching ice skaters perform a story set in the desert!
Price: from £13 adult, £8.50 child.
For tickets visit guildfordspectrum.co.uk
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Scrooge and the Seven Dwarves at Theatre 503
December 6 – January 6
Returning after three consecutive sell out Christmases, Sleeping Trees' original festive play, Scrooge and the Seven Dwarves, looks set to be brilliant, rib-tickling fun for the whole family. One cold Christmas Eve, Santa and his elves are preparing for another busy evening's work. The reindeer are ready and the sleigh is packed, there is just one problem: the sleigh won't start! The Wicked Witch has stolen all of the Christmas spirit. Santa looks to the most unlikely of heroes to save the day – the grumpy Ebenezer Scrooge.
Combining several different classic Christmas stories, the latest production from Sleeping Trees looks set to be a wild night of fun and frivolity. Music and lyrics by Ben Hales.
Price: £12.00 – £19.00
For tickets visit theatre503.com
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Peter Pan at Camberley Theatre
December 12-31
Camberley Theatre will be dazzling audiences this Christmas with another spell-bounding performance of Peter Pan. Harrison Spiers plays Peter Pan, while Grace Holroyd appears as the beautiful Wendy, Charlie Legg and Robert Pearce perform as Mr and Mrs Shmee respectively and Marcus Churchill puts on a dastardly display as Captain Hook in this exciting tale of pirates and fairies. Second star to the right and straight on until morning!
Price: £16.00 - £22.00
For tickets visit chapterhouse.org
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Cinderella at Epsom Playhouse
December 15 – January 7
Epsom locals can look forward to a tale of evil step sisters and a famously snug glass slipper as Epsom Playhouse perform Cinderella for its 2017 panto. Join in the fun and have a ball (get it? Because of the ball in the story? God I'm funny!) in the well-loved story of the girl who is allowed one magical evening until midnight, and where she meets her Prince Charming. There's even a guest appearance from TV presenter and Big Brother finalist Andy West to look forward to.
Price: £15.50 - £18.50
For tickets visit epsomplayhouse.co.uk
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Sleeping Beauty at Dorking Halls
December 16-28
Another showing of the magical and fun-filled Sleeping Beauty, proudly presented by Dorking Halls and starring X-Factor and Celebrity Big Brother finalist Christopher Maloney as Prince and Emmerdale's Gemma Oaten as The Wicked Fairy. This pantomime promises heaps of fun and laughter as well as plenty of audience participation.
Price: £17.00 - £19.00
For tickets visit dorkinghalls.co.uk
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Santa Claus and the Magical Christmas Journey at G Live
December 8-24
It’s Christmas Eve, and Santa Claus is flying high above the clouds delivering presents to all the very good boys and girls around the world. Hiding in the back are two naughty elves Charlie and Kara who have snuck on-board for the ride.
All is well until suddenly, just as Santa Claus flies high above Guildford, the Sat Nav goes haywire and breaks, leaving him stranded without his list of postcodes to deliver presents to! With the clock ticking and morning fast approaching it’s down to Charlie, Kara and Muffin the bear to come up with a clever plan to save Christmas...
Price: £16.50
For tickets, visit: glive.co.uk
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Jack and the Beanstalk at the Lyric Hammersmith
November 18 – January 6
ANOTHER Jack and the Giant Beanstalk, this time at the Lyric in Hammersmith. With plenty of magic beans, a huge loveable cow, an enormous beanstalk, a gigantic giant and a massive adventure, Joel Horwood's production is set to be the Lyric's biggest yet, as this classic fairy tale gets the usual innovative Lyric treatment.
Award-winning comedian, composer and BBC Proms presenter, Vikki Stone will play Fleshcreep, joining Cherrelle Skeete who will take the stage as the Fairy Godmother. Other cast members include Kayla Meikle who will play Daisy the Cow and Faith Omole who will play Jack. The ensemble is built up of six young performers, as part of the Lyric Hammersmith’s commitment to nurturing young talent.
Price: £15.00 – £40.00
For tickets visit lyric.co.uk
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Hansel and Gretel at Riverhouse Barn Arts Centre
December 16-22
Riverhouse Arts Centre is bringing a musical theatre version of this classic to life over Christmas, promising its own special recipe of multi-role performances, captivating songs and beautiful imagery.
Hansel and Gretel’s musical journey takes them from a house with empty cupboards and a step-mother who doesn’t like children, to a house made of sweets and someone who just loves children – on toast! This performance is too sweet to miss...
Ages: 4+
Price: £7.00 – £9.00
For tickets visit thelittleboxoffice.com
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The Wind in the Willows at Hampton Hill Theatre
December 9-16
Hampton Hill Theatre aims to leave you in hoots with this timeless English classic. When Toad’s latest craze lands him in prison, the Weasels occupy Toad Hall and plan to turn it into a Leisure Centre... Will Toad escape to reclaim the ancestral home? Will Mole, Ratty and Badger forgive him and come to his aid?
Given a festive, musical twist in Alan Bennett’s charming adaptation, this performance is a perfect Christmas treat.
Price: £17.00
For tickets visit www.teddingtontheatreclub.org.uk
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Dick Whittington at Nomad Theatre
December 12-16
Another fun-filled performance of the cat-astrophically (Get it? Because there's a cat in the panto? I just can not understand why my career in stand up never took off) funny Dick Whittington. The Nomad Theatre promises barrels of laughs, slapstick humour, epic musical numbers and plenty of audience participation – so there's sure to be something for everyone to enjoy. Among a great cast, Sophie Johnstone will take on the role of Dick, with Karolina Sepiak as Tommy the Cat.
Price: £10.00 – £16.00
For tickets visit nomadtheatre.com
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Aladdin at Haslemere Hall
January 12-20, 2018
Taking place in January, this is one for those ardent fanatics that just can't get enough of shouting slogans at people in drag, and want to carry it on in to the new year. I'm not going to describe the plot of Aladdin for a third time, but you can expect the usual family fun, glittering costumes, magic carpet rides and audience interaction.
Price: £8.00
For tickets visit tickets.haslemerehall.co.uk
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A Christmas Carol at The Electric Theatre
December 14-16
Ebenezer Scrooge hates Christmas. But one Christmas Eve, he is visited by the late Jacob Marley and the Ghosts of Christmas Past, Present and Future. Will the things that they show Scrooge be enough to make him change his miserly ways forever?
This is an enterprising youth theatre production for all the family, brought to the stage by an extensive and talented cast aged 5-18 years old.
Price: from £10.00
For tickets visit the website electric.theatre
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Aladdin at Princes Hall Theatre
Princes Way, Aldershot, GU11 1NX
December 8 – January 2
One final showing of Aladdin!
Join Aladdin on this glittering magic carpet ride to the mystic east along with Widow Twanky, the Genie and the evil Abanazar. Aladdin has dreams of marrying the beautiful Princess Jasmine, but the law decrees only a Prince can marry a Princess. If only Aladdin could make his fortune then all their dreams could come true... Ok, turns out I will describe the plot of Aladdin one last time. You got me.
Price: £15.50 - £22.00
For tickets visit princeshall.com
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The Nutcracker and Giselle at G Live
December 26-27
Let us end with a bit of high culture: Under the direction of Marina Medvetskaya, Saint Petersburg Classic Ballet has won plaudits across Russia, Scandinavia, the United States and now, the UK. This acclaimed company returns to G Live after delighting audiences on previous visits. Combining classical training and technique with the best-loved Russian ballets, Saint Petersburg Classic Ballet’s performances have an air of magic, complemented by a full orchestra and outstanding soloists who will take your breath away. A perfect Boxing Day treat.
Price: £32.50
For tickets, visit: glive.co.uk
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