Shows and Pantomimes
Billy Elliot – The Musical
Palace Theatre
29 November – 28 January
Billy Elliot is the inspirational story of one boy’s dream to realise his ambitions against the odds. Set in the North East of England against the background of the historic 1984/ ’85 miners’ strike, Billy pursues his passion for dance in secret to avoid the disapproval of his struggling family.
Full of life, laughter, incredible dancing and unforgettable music by Elton John, this inspirational theatrical experience will stay with you forever.
Palace Theatre
97 Oxford St, Manchester, Lancashire M1 6FT
Tel: 0161 245 6600
www.manchestertheatres.com/palacetheatre.htm
Chitty Chitty Bang Bang
The Lowry
6 December – 15 January
One of the world’s favourite musicals, Chitty Chitty, Bang Bang will have audiences of all ages flying high with its mixture of madness, intrigue and exuberance.
Can the loveable but whacky inventor, Potts, along with his two children and the gorgeous Truly Scrumptious outwit the bombastic Baron Bomburst who has decreed that all children be banished from his kingdom? What happens when the children are caught and imprisoned with the other youngsters by the evil Childcatcher? Will it all end happily-ever-after? Well, of course it will!
Lowry
Pier 8, Salford Quays, Salford, M50 3AZ
Tel: 0843 208 6000
www.thelowry.com/events/chitty-chitty-bang-bang
Horrible Christmas
The Lowry
7 December – 8 January
When Christmas comes under threat from a jolly man dressed in red, it’s up to one young boy to save the day – but can he save Christmas? From Victorian villains to Medieval monks, Puritan parties to Tudor treats, join us on an hair-raising adventure through the history of Christmas in the company of Charles Dickens, Oliver Cromwell, King Henry VIII, St Nicholas and Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer as they all join forces to save the festive season!
Lowry
Pier 8, Salford Quays, Salford, M50 3AZ
Tel: 0843 208 6000
www.thelowry.com/events/horrible-christmas
Underneath a Magical Moon
Tutti Frutti and York Theatre Royal at Waterside Arts Centre
8 – 31 December
Christmas show Underneath a Magical Moon – a re-imagining of Peter Pan as told by Wendy Darling – written by Mike Kenn,
Through her open window Wendy Darling gazes out at the night sky dreaming of blue lagoons, magical moons and the stories that she can tell.
But tonight, like no other, has magic in the air …
A sparkling new production with exquisite music, enthralling movement and a sprinkle of tutti frutti magic for children 3+ and their families to enjoy.
Waterside Arts Centre, Sale, M33 7ZF
Tel: 0161 912 5616
www.watersideartscentre.co.uk/whats-on/1869-underneath-a-magical-moon
Aladdin
Opera House
9 December – 8 January 2017
If you’re looking for magical family fun this Christmas, look no further! With Genies by the lamp-load, belly-busting comedy, chart-topping songs, bags of family fun, audience participation, pantoland’s biggest boo-able baddie and, just maybe, a real flying carpet – the pantomime dreams are made of!
Opera House
3 Quay St, Manchester, Lancashire M3 3HP
Tel: 0844 871 3018
http://www.manchestertheatres.com/operahouse.htm
Peter Pan
The Plaza
9 December – 8 January
John Altman known to millions of television fans as ‘Nasty’ Nick Cotton in Eastenders along with his extensive career in television and on stage previously appeared at The Plaza in 2012 in the box office panto smash ‘Aladdin’. This year he will be returning to play the truly ‘Nasty’ Captain Hook in magnificent family pantomime production.
Peter Pan produced and directed at The Plaza by Extravaganza Productions. Along with a fantastic supporting cast, stunning sets and sparkling costumes The Plaza once again will be the home of family pantomime entertainment this Christmas.
The Plaza
Mersey Square, Stockport, Cheshire, SK1 1SP
Tel: 0161 477 7779
www.stockportplaza.co.uk/whats-on/peter-pan
The Snow Queen
Salford Arts Theatre
9 December – 8 January
Fun, laughter, evil & love- what more do you want! Not forgetting live music
The Snow Queen Panto… A magical story of a young girl on a quest to rescue her best friend Kai from the evil clutches of the Snow Queen.
Salford Arts Theatre
Kemsing Walk, Off Liverpool St, Salford M5 4BS
Tel: 0161 925 0111
www.salfordartstheatre.com/whats-on
Dick Whittington and his Wonderful Cat
The Altrincham Garrick Playhouse
10 December – 2 January
The rags to riches story of Dick Whittington and his loyal friend Tommy the Cat is a panto extravaganza that’s purrfect for the whole family.
Dick is off to London to seek his fortune…
Come cheer and sing along for the hero and his lovable sidekick, as they travel to exciting lands and magical worlds.
The Altrincham Garrick Playhouse
Barrington Road, Altrincham, WA14 1HZ
Tel: 0161 928 1677
www.altrinchamgarrick.co.uk/shows/dick-whittington-and-his-wonderful-cat
Snow White and the seven dwarfs
Buxton Opera House
10 December – 1 January
Bring all the family along to enjoy the magical story of Snow White, rescued from the clutches of her wicked stepmother by seven very special little friends. As usual, there’s extra help from a bunch of daft characters, including the palace cook and her good-for-nothing son. Just as well there’s also a dashing prince on his way to ensure a happy ending!
Buxton Opera House
Water Street, Buxton, Derbyshire, SK17 6XN
Tel: 0845 127 2190
www.buxtonoperahouse.org.uk/snow-white-and-the-seven-dwarfs
The Hallé – Christmas Family Concert
Bridgewater Hall
11 December 15.00
Calling all children, parents and grandparents. Join Alasdair Malloy, Santa’s little helpers, the Hallé, for the annual fun-filled festive family concert, full of sing-alongs, jingle-alongs, seasonal surprises, orchestral antics and audience amazement. The perfect way to start a family Christmas, this cracker of a concert is so popular, even Father Christmas takes time out to attend. Why not get into the spirit and dress up as a snowman or Rudolph? If you have any sleigh bells – homemade or real – then bring them along and join in.
Tickets: Adults £24; Child £15 (aged 17 and under)
The Bridgewater Hall, Lower Mosley Street, Manchester
Tel: 0161 907 9000
www.tickets.bridgewater-hall.co.uk/single/EventListing.aspx
WOW! Said the Owl
Little Angel Theatre at HOME
14 December – 30 December
This Christmas, explore the wow-world of colours with this curious little owl who is determined to stay awake to see what day light brings.
From the warm pink glow of dawn through to a day filled with the bright colours of green leaves, blue sky, grey clouds and, finally, a stunning rainbow — ‘WOW!’. But despite the beauty of the daytime world, the little owl decides that the night-time stars are the most beautiful of all.
WOW! Said the Owl, the acclaimed children’s book by award winning author Tim Hopgood, is brought to life through a blend of beautiful story-telling, puppetry and music. Directed by Joy Haynes, this show will delight and excite children aged 2-5yrs.
Home
2 Tony Wilson Place Manchester M15 4FN
Tel: 0161 200 1500
www.homemcr.org
The Man who planted trees
Puppet State Theatre Company at Royal Exchange
19 – 31 December
Jean Giono’s environmental classic tells the inspiring story of a shepherd who plants a forest, acorn by acorn, transforming a barren wasteland.
As much a touching tale as a hilarious puppet show, it shows us the difference one man (and his dog!) can make to the world.
The Sudio
Royal Exchange Theatre
St Anns Square, Manchester M2 7DH
Tel: 0161 833 9833
www.royalexchange.co.uk
The Hallé – The Snowman (screening with live music)
Bridgewater Hall
20 December 13.30 and 16.00
21 December 11.00 and 13.30
Bring all the family along to the big screening of The Snowman, the animated classic by Raymond Briggs. The film will be accompanied live by the Hallé performing Howard Blake’s beautiful score – including the magical song ‘Walking in the Air’.
In the first half of the concert narrator Tom Redmond accompanies Paddington through his adventures as the marmalade-loving bear arrives in London from darkest Peru, meets The Browns, Mr Gruber and goes to his very first concert at London’s Royal Albert Hall.
The Bridgewater Hall, Lower Mosley Street, Manchester
Tel: 0161 907 9000
www.tickets.bridgewater-hall.co.uk/single/EventListing.aspx
Sorry Christmas is Cancelled… Katie Saves the Day!
Topsy Turvy Theatre at The Lowry
23 December – 7 January
Thieves have broken into Father Christmas’ grotto and stolen all of the presents, and with only a few sleeps left until the big day, there is no time to make any more.
All seems lost until Katie hitches a ride on a magical bird to The North Pole, determined to help Father Christmas save the day! Will Katie solve the clues in the mysterious advent calendar? How will she find her way through the snowy North Pole? And who did steal the presents?
Lowry
Pier 8, Salford Quays, Salford, M50 3AZ
Tel: 0843 208 6000
www.thelowry.com/events/sorry-christmas-is-cancelled
Monstersaurus
Pavilion Arts Centre
25 February
This brand new show from the creators of Aliens Love Underpants is monster-ously good! Follow the young inventor Monty as he creates a whole world of whacky inventions and incredible monsters, but he has a problem – now he has made them all, what is he going to do with them?!
This energetic show full of thrills, spills, magic and mayhem will delight the whole family – with original music and plenty of audience participation!
For ages 3 & over and their families.
Buxton Opera House
Water Street, Buxton, Derbyshire, SK17 6XN
Tel: 0845 127 2190
www.buxtonoperahouse.org.uk/monstersaurus
