Top 10 UK pantomimes to see this Christmas

Dick Whittington and His Cat

Hackney Empire, London

November 23 to January 5
This east London venue has been producing traditional family pantomimes since 1988 and much of its recent success has been down to its star dame, played by Olivier-nominated actor Clive Rowe. For the past three years, the production has also been directed by Rowe, delivering all the usual laughs along with a strong sense of story and some fantastic musical routines. For Dick Whittington, Rowe will be playing Sarah the Cook, alongside Kandaka Moore as Dick Whittington and comedian and Hackney legend Kat B as Tommy the Cat.
• See website for details

Jack and the Beanstalk – What a Whopper!

Charing Cross Theatre, London

November 23 to January 11
Theatre company He’s Behind You may have only been formed in 2022, but its writing team – Jon Bradfield and Martin Hooper – have been creating hilarious adult pantomimes for more than a decade for Above the Stag. Last year’s Sleeping Beauty Takes a Prick! was an unqualified success, subverting the story of Hamlet to include ghosts, a spaceship and an astonishing burlesque of My Fair Lady’s Ascot Gavotte. Expect more of the same this year, especially with the return of director Andrew Beckett and the indomitable Matthew Baldwin as Dame Trott.
• See website for details

Mother Goose – The Rock’n’Roll Panto

Theatr Clwyd, Mold

November 23 to January 19
After a large redevelopment, Theatr Clwyd’s main building once again hosts its popular pantomime, which this year is rock’n’roll spectacular Mother Goose. Once again written by Christian Patterson (who will be doing double duty as Sarah the Cook in Stoke-on-Trent’s Dick Whittington), this rambunctious family show is filled with outrageous costumes, puppets and a score rammed with rock, pop and soul classics. It also sees the return of Phylip Harries, taking centre stage as Gwladys Goose.
• See website for details

Pinocchio

Theatre Royal Stratford East, London

November 23 to January 4
The story of Pinocchio doesn’t easily lend itself to the pantomime treatment, but Stratford East has a history of delivering familiar stories in ingenious and inventive ways – a dystopian Sleeping Beauty, a visceral Red Riding Hood and an ancient Egyptian Cinderella to name but a few. Written by Trish Cooke and Robert Hyman and with Omar F Okai directing, this Pinocchio is certain to throw up a few surprises. It’s also exciting to see the welcome return of Stratford East panto veteran Michael Bertenshaw in the role of the Blue Rinse Fairy.
• See website for details

Continues...

Aladdin

Everyman, Cheltenham

November 29 to January 12
By far the biggest pantomime in Gloucestershire, the Everyman production has long featured the local clown and Giffords Circus headliner Tweedy, who brings his own distinctive brand of physical comedy to each show. Last year, Tweedy took on the dame role by playing Mother Goose, but this year, Kevin Brewis is back as the outspoken Widow Twankey, with Tweedy as Tweedy Twankey. Olivier-winning Miles Western will be wicked Uncle Abanazar and Jessica Martin rounds off the accomplished cast as The Spirit of the Ring. Jersey Boy Luke Suri will be stepping on to the magic carpet as Aladdin, with Samira Mighty as Jasmine.
• See website for details 

The Pantomime Adventures of Peter Pan

Grand Opera House, Belfast

November 30 to January 12
In a pantomime career that spans more than 30 years, Belfast’s favourite dame May McFettridge – the creation of entertainer John Linehan – will be back playing Mrs Smee. Peter Pan might not lend itself easily to pantomime, but in the right hands it can be a magical experience and this will be McFettridge’s fourth time in Neverland. Once again directed and choreographed by Jonny Bowles, the production also features Opera House regulars Jolene O’Hara and Paddy Jenkins, with Adam C Booth as Smee and local actor Jordan Walker in the title role.
• See website for details

Robin Hood

London Palladium

December 7 to January 12
The jewel in the Crossroads Pantomime crown, the Palladium panto is usually the glitziest show this side of Las Vegas. Now in its ninth season, Julian Clary is back in the title role with cruise-ship favourite Jane McDonald at his side as Maid Marion. We might not have Gary Wilmot on dame duty this year, but there is a host of familiar faces including Paul Zerdin, Nigel Havers, Charlie Stemp and Rob Madge. Making their pantomime debuts are Olivier-award nominated Marisha Wallace as the Sheriff of Nottingham and Tosh Wanogho-Maud as Little John.
• See website for details