Pantomimes and Christmas Shows
Pantomimes and Christmas shows season right upon us! Here is Mus&Dads list for 2018-2019 festive season. Enjoy!
Cinderella
10 November – 12 January
Oldham Coliseum
Oldham Coliseum Theatre is famous for its excellent annual traditional pantomime and Cinderella is one of the nation’s favourites, with all the ingredients you need for a magical experience.
Each year the Coliseum serves up the perfect panto recipe – excellent actors, singers, and dancers dishing out the very best in festive traditional fun that’s great for kids and not-so-grown-up grown-ups!
Add some music and songs and slapstick, plus a sprinkling of fairy dust for the perfect Christmas celebration.
Oldham Coliseum Theatre
Fairbottom Street
Oldham
OL1 3SW
Tel: 0161 624 2829
www.coliseum.org.uk/plays/cinderella-2
Cinderella
Z-arts
21 – 24 November, various times
Step into Christmas for the must-see show of the season, Cinderella, the Fairy Godmother of all pantomimes! It is for a truly magical experience with the ultimate rags-to-riches tale packed with superb song and dance routines, hilarious comedy and magical special effects.
Z-arts, 335 Stretford Road, Hulme, Manchester M15 5ZA, Greater Manchester
Tel: 0161 226 1912
www.z-arts.org
Absurd Person Singular
The Altrincham Garrick Playhouse
26 November- 1 December, 7:30pm
A comedy Christmas cracker.
Alan Ayckbourn at his best. One of his earlier plays concerning three couples and three kitchens on three different Christmas Eves. Evenings of behind the scenes disasters culminate in wild comedy as one of he couples advances to material prosperity and independence. A Christmas you wouldn’t want in your own home but hilarious entertainment in the theatre!
The Altrincham Garrick Playhouse
Barrington Road, Altrincham, WA14 1HZ
Tel: 0161 928 1677
www.altrinchamgarrick.co.uk/shows/absurd-person-singular/
Sleeping Beauty
30 November – 7 January, various times
The Plaza
Magically awaken your dreams over the festive season at The Plaza with the North West’s Premier Family Pantomime Sleeping Beauty. Starring the sensational Ted Robbins and Claire King who both make a welcome return to the Plaza.
A Princess sleeps for a lifetime in her forgotten palace following an evil curse that has put her under a spell but will true love’s kiss awake our Sleeping Beauty or will evil triumph over good in what promises to be another magical family adventure that everyone can enjoy. With beautiful costumes, stunning sets and spectacular effects this is the one affordable family treat that you, your party or group most definitely will not want to miss….ohhhhh no you won’t!
The Plaza
Mersey Square, Stockport, Cheshire, SK1 1SP
Tel: 0161 477 7779
www.stockportplaza.co.uk
The Wonderful Wizard of Oz
4 – 31 December, various times
Octagon Theatre, Bolton
Lost in an unfamiliar land, inhabited by munchkins, flying monkeys and witches, Dorothy and her faithful dog Toto, need to find their way back home to Bolton. Heading for the Emerald City, with the help of her new friends; Scarecrow, Tin Woodman, and the cowardly Lion, Dorothy sets out along the yellow brick road to find the Great Oz – a Wizard with the power to make all of their dreams come true.
Octagon Theatre, Bolton
Howell Croft South, Bolton, bl1 1sb
Tel: 01204 520661
www.octagonbolton.co.uk/whats-on/theatre/the-wonderful-wizard-of-oz
Wicked
Palace Theatre Manchester
4 December – 5 January, various times
An ingenious and witty re-imagining of the stories and characters created by L. Frank Baum in ‘The Wonderful Wizard of Oz’, Wicked tells the incredible untold story of an unlikely but profound friendship between two young women who first meet as sorcery students. Their extraordinary adventures in Oz will ultimately see them fulfil their destinies as Glinda The Good and the Wicked Witch of the West.
Palace Theatre Manchester
97 Oxford St, Manchester M1 6FT
Tel : 0844 871 3019
www.manchestertheatres.com/palacetheatre.htm
For tickets: www.atgtickets.com/shows/wicked/palace-theatre-manchester
Dick Whittington
8 – 30 December, various times
Buxton Opera House
Hoping to find fame and fortune in London, our young hero Dick Whittington makes his way down Ye Olde M1 with nothing but a sandwich and a can-do attitude; but he’s out of luck until he meets a friendly cat with a knack for catching rats. As his cat gets to work ridding the city of its furry pests, it seems Dick’s dream will come true. Little does he know the scary King Rat – a nasty geezer with an army of rodents at his command – is getting ready to pounce.
Dick Whittington is one of the nation’s best loved rags-to-riches stories. Buxton’s favourite Dame, James Holmes (‘Clive’ from the hit comedy series Miranda) returns as Dame Sarah the Cook, while Gabrielle Green (‘Katrina’ from CBBC’s Wolfblood) is the lovely Alice Fitzwarren.
Buxton Opera House
Water Street, Buxton, Derbyshire, SK17 6XN
Tel: 0845 127 2190
www.buxtonoperahouse.org.uk/event/dick-whittington
Comedysportz Improvised Panto
14 December 7pm, 15 December 3pm, 5pm, 7pm
Waterside Arts Centre
Fed up with the same old pantomimes every year? Then get ready for the brand new all ages, all improvised pantomime from the team behind ComedySportz (OH YES IT IS)! Each show the gang will improvise a brand new pantomime – with a few favourite ComedySportz games thrown in for good measure – with heroes, villains, songs and silliness guaranteed. Inspired by your suggestions, no two shows are the same with this alternative festive treat for the whole family to enjoy. Back by popular demand!
Waterside Arts Centre
1 Waterside Plaza
Sale, M33 7ZF
Tel: 0161 912 5616
www.watersideartscentre.co.uk
Jack and the Beanstalk
Lyceum Theatre
14 December – 6 January
The legendary Cannon & Ball star in this year’s must-see production of Jack and the Beanstalk in their third Crewe Lyceum pantomime alongside star of stage and screen and Britain’s Got Talent winner George Sampson as our panto hero Jack Trot! Back by overwhelming popular demand, the much-loved comedy pair will star as Tommy and Bobby Trot, brothers to Jack, in the pantomime title Cheshire audiences have certainly bean waiting for which will see a mighty beanstalk grow on Heath Street. In a Crewe Lyceum first, this year’s panto will also feature a fantastic 3D sequence which will transport audiences on an adventure through the giant’s castle in a glittering production packed full of comedy, music, audience participation and fantastic special effects.
Lyceum Theatre,
Heath Street, Crewe, CW1 2DA
Tel: 01270 368 242
crewelyceum.co.uk
Cinderella
The Altrincham Garrick Playhouse
15 December – 6 January
Traditional Family Pantomime for ALL the Family is well known tale of the downtrodden girl who eventually finds her prince. All the well known characters are here including the two ugly sisters whose names are much more familiar than in the original story.
The Altrincham Garrick Playhouse
Barrington Road, Altrincham, WA14 1HZ
Tel: 0161 928 1677
www.altrinchamgarrick.co.uk/shows/cinderella-4
Christmas Cracker
16 December 7:00pm
Buxton Musical Society at St John’s Church
Join the chorus and orchestra as they play and sing a whole range of Christmas music including some audience participation Christmas carols. This year Buxton Musical Society will be joined by Choir of Fairfield Endowed C of E Junior School and the concert will feature a performance of Tchaikovsky’s Nutcracker Suite with added narration created and performed by Robbie Carnegie, Publications Officer of the Buxton International Festival and member of Buxton Drama League.
St John The Baptist Church,
6 St John’s Rd, Buxton SK17 6XN
More info: buxtonmusicalsociety.org.uk
Buy tickets: buxtonoperahouse.org.uk/event/christmas-cracker
Lily and the Christmas Snow Bear
The Met, Bury
19 – 24 December
Little Blue Monster Theatre Company Production
Puppet Show
A glittering, snowy tale about a little lost bear and a brave little girl.
There are just two more sleeps until Christmas and it’s starting to snow! Lily loves to play in the snow – so she sets off to explore. But when she discovers a trail of soft little footprints, she finds a baby snow bear. Will Lily return the little snow bear to his mummy in time for Christmas, or will the cheeky hunters find him first?
Suitable for children aged 3+
Pyjama Performance! on Thursday 20 December for evening show at 7pm; wear your pyjamas and onesies and you could even bring your own bear so it can enjoy the show too!
The Met, Market Street, Bury BL9 0BW
Greater Manchester, UK
Tel: 0161 761 7107
themet.biz
Rapunzel
Carver Theatre, Marple
11 – 19 January
A beautiful young girl with long golden hair is locked away in a tower by an evil witch. Enter a dashing Prince and his loyal companion to save her with the help of a good fairy. Throw in a hairdresser, two bumbling nit wits, jokes, slapstick, great songs and dances and this will make you smile and laugh out loud!
Rapunzel by Bradford and Webster is a traditional story with a twist or two along the way. It is set in a more contemporary style that we know will entertain you!
Carver Theatre,
1 Chadwick Street, Marple, Cheshire, SK6 7AX
E.mail: boxoffice@carvertheatre.co.uk
carvertheatre.co.uk
Sale Nomads: Aladdin
11 – 20 January, various times
Waterside Arts Centre
The story follows our hero, Aladdin, as he endeavours to seek his fortune, marry his sweetheart, Sheherezade, and save his beloved family from wrack and ruin at the hands of his uncle, Abanazaar. Aladdin leaves his famiiy’s Beijing Laundry and heads across the continents to seek his fortune in far off Baghdad. To get there he enlists the help of beautiful ‘The Genie of the Ring’, and once in Ali Baba’s cave he discovers the handsome ‘Genie of the Lamp’ and a vast array of diamonds and jewels. His future is secure – if only he can get the treasure back to Beijing.
Flying carpets, disappearing genies, hilarious jokes and fantastic songs! Great family entertainment.
Waterside Arts Centre
1 Waterside Plaza
Sale, M33 7ZF
Tel: 0161 912 5616
www.watersideartscentre.co.uk
Robinson Crusoe and The Pirates
The Didsbury Players
25 January 8pm, 26 January 2:30pm & 8pm
Ahoy there! It’s about time to set sail aboard the Jolly Roger towards Panto Land! Buckle your swash and set sail with Robinson, Captain Blacktashe and Calypso into a world of adventure and hilarity. You’ll meet a host of colourful characters along the way, together with a band of marauding pirates. Will Captain Blacktashe and their trusty sidekick Winkle steal the treasure from the Robinson clan or will good win the day? Come aboard to see our tale unfold!
Tickets only £1 for any under 12s when accompanied with an adult for the Saturday Matinee performance
Peformance at East Didsbury Methodist Church,
Parrs Wood Road, Manchester, M20 5QQ
www.didsburyplayers.co.uk
There was an Old Lady who swallowed a Fly
17 February, 2:30 pm
Waterside Arts Centre
There Was an Old Lady Who Swallowed A Fly. I don’t know why she swallowed a fly…
But The People’s Theatre Company do!
And now you can too as they bring one of the world’s best loved nursery rhymes to life This magical show has been written especially for grown-ups to enjoy with their children, so come and relive the delights of this most charming of tales complete with a feast of sing along songs, colourful animal characters and heart-warming family fun.
It’s the perfect treat for anyone aged 2 to 102!
The songs in the show including If You’re Happy and You know It, Incy Wincy Spider and many more are available to sing along to on The People’s Theatre Company‘s website at www.ptc.org.uk so why not have a listen and join in when you visit the theatre!
Waterside Arts Centre
1 Waterside Plaza
Sale, M33 7ZF
Tel: 0161 912 5616
watersidearts.org/whats-on/2390-there-was-an-old-lady-who-swallowed-a-fly
Bing Live!
20 February 1pm & 4pm, 21 February 10am & 1pm
Buxton Opera House
Calling all Bingsters! Bing and his friends are coming to Buxton in the first ever Bing stage show!
Join Bing, Sula, Coco and Pando as they find out how to tell stories by pretending, dressing-up and singing songs. Flop and Amma are there to help, but in this magical world of make-believe things don’t always go according to plan…
Don’t miss the chance to see your little one’s face as their favourite characters are brought to life in this brand-new show. Full of fun, laughter and music, Bing Live! is the perfect first theatre trip for pre-schoolers and their families.
Going to the theatre… it’s a Bing thing!
Buxton Opera House
Water Street, Buxton, Derbyshire, SK17 6XN
Tel: 0845 127 2190
www.buxtonoperahouse.org.uk/event/bing-live
