Pantomimes, Christmas and Ice Shows
Pantomimes, ballets, Christmas and ice shows are taking place across the UK this winter. Carrie Drage takes a look at the treats in store for groups over the coming festive period.
No Christmas is complete without a trip to the theatre and this year’s festive season offers groups a huge array of choice. Ranging from the great British pantomime through to Christmas shows, ice shows and ballet productions, most theatres are happy to welcome groups to their venue. Many theatres offer early bird deals for group bookings, while almost all offer discounted rates on selected performances or free places on large bookings.
Once upon a time…
The pantomime is a Christmas tradition with universal appeal and is a great way to get your group into the festive spirit.
UK Productions, one of the country’s leading producers of musical theatre and pantomime, will be staging nine pantomimes across the UK this winter. The lavish productions will include Aladdin, Dick Whittington and Sleeping Beauty, and will feature household names such as Ruth Madoc and Su Pollard of ‘Hi-De-Hi’ fame and Ray Meagher who is known for his long-running role as Alf Stewart in Australian soap, ‘Home and Away’. Group rates are available at all venues which include Bath Theatre Royal, Blackpool Grand Theatre, Bournemouth Pavilion Theatre and Rhyl Pavilion Theatre.
Elsewhere in the UK, one of the most popular pantomime choices this Christmas is Cinderella. This rags to riches tale is arguably the best loved pantomime of all time and continues to captivate both young and old alike.
At the Theatre Royal Brighton, Queens of Clean Kim & Aggie, from Channel 4 show ‘How Clean is Your House’, will take to the stage as the larger-than-life Ugly Sisters. Groups of 10 or more receive discounts.
In Surrey, Richmond Theatre will be hosting a pantomime bursting with charm as stage and screen smoothie, Nigel Havers, tops the bill in this romantic fairytale. Groups of 8 or more receive discounted admission.
At the Cliffs Pavilion in Southend-on-Sea, popular comedian Joe Pasquale will be treading the boards as Buttons. Audiences might remember Joe from his time on ITV1’s ‘I’m a Celebrity, Get Me Out of Here!’ when he was crowned ‘King of the Jungle’ in 2004. Groups of 10 or more receive a 10% discount.
Audiences at The Old Vic theatre on London’s South Bank can enjoy a new sophisticated version of the pantomime, Cinderella. Groups of 10 or more receive discounted entry to this festive production written by actor and comedian Stephen Fry.
Meanwhile, in Swindon, Hollywood actress Britt Ekland will be stepping into the role of Fairy Godmother at the Wyvern Theatre. The glamorous Swede is best-known for films such as ‘The Man with the Golden Gun’, ‘Get Carter’ and ‘Wicker Man’. The theatre is currently closed but will re-open in September following completion of a £1.3 million refurbishment project. Groups of 15 or more receive discounted admission.
At the Regent Theatre in Stoke-on-Trent, Jonathan Wilkes will top the bill for the third year running as he takes to the stage as Buttons. Joining Jonathan is actress Shobna Gulati, who played Sunita in ‘Coronation Street’. She will play the Fairy Godmother in a production penned by her former ‘Corrie’ co-star, Eric Potts. Groups of 10 or more receive discounted admission.
Further north at the Lyceum Theatre in Sheffield is a production packed with stars and a few local favourites. Hayley Tamaddon (Delilah Dingle in ‘Emmerdale’) plays the Fairy Godmother and seasoned panto performer Ryan Maloney (Toadfish from ‘Neighbours’) is the loveable Buttons. Parties of 10 or more receive a 20% discount.
Groups in Manchester can enjoy an evening at the Opera House with a host of familiar faces from the small screen. Tina O’Brien from ‘Coronation Street’ has been cast as this year’s Cinders, alongside singer and actress Bernie Nolan as the Fairy Godmother. Discounts are available for groups of 10 or more.
Aladdin is also a popular choice in the country this year. On the south coast in Poole, the Lighthouse theatre will be providing audiences with a modern take on the traditional pantomime theme with contemporary musical arrangements. Former ‘Eastenders’ pin-up Michael Greco, Beppe di Marco in the soap, will be playing Aladdin’s nasty nemesis Abanazar. Groups of 10 or more receive discounted admission.
Meanwhile, Dorking Halls in Surrey will be staging their own magic carpet adventure. Parties of 20 or more receive discounted entry to this year’s production of Aladdin.
In Bedfordshire, Bradley Walsh is back in panto at the Milton Keynes Theatre, where he will play Wishee Washy opposite his former ‘Coronation Street’ co-star Eric Potts’ Widow Twanky. Discounts are available for groups of 20 or more.
At the Birmingham Hippodrome, American actor Peter Gallagher (Sandy Cohen in ‘The OC’) will be playing the baddie Abanazar, who tries to steal the magic lamp from Aladdin. ‘Torchwood’ actor John Barrowman will take the title role in the theatre’s 50th star-studded pantomime that will also feature a surprise appearance by the Daleks. This elaborate production will allow audiences to view a 3D digital genie and carpet ride through 3D glasses. Discounts are available for groups of 10 or more.
Special 3D technology, known in the industry as ‘Bogglevision’, is also in store at His Majesty’s Theatre in Aberdeen. By wearing 3D glasses, audiences will see the genie come to life and can rub the lamp as it magically appears before their eyes. Pre-booked groups of 8 or more receive discounted entry to this production, which is headed by ‘Ramsey Street’ regular, Stefan Dennis (Paul Robinson in ‘Neighbours’).
The tale of Dick Whittington and his cat is also a favourite during the Christmas season. Groups can take delight in this fable about a young boy who heads for London in search of fortune and eventually becomes Lord Mayor of London. The Grand Theatre in Wolverhampton has a star-studded cast this Christmas including Dani Harmer (CBBC’s ‘Tracy Beaker’), TV baddie Leslie Grantham (Dirty Den in ‘Eastenders’) as King Rat and a special appearance by The Krankies. Discounts are available for bookings of 10 or more.
Groups of more than 20 who arrange an evening at the Norwich Theatre Royal can receive up to a 25% discount on this year’s production of Dick Whittington. It will see two former Dr Who stars Colin Baker and Terry Molloy re-united for the first time since 1986.
In Manchester ‘The One and Only’ Chesney Hawkes is making his panto debut at The Lowry. He will play Dick Whittington alongside television and West End star Darren Day as King Rat. Savings can be made for bookings of 10 or more.
Those in search of an action-packed evening can follow the adventures of Peter, Wendy and the Lost Boys in Neverland as they battle the dastardly Captain Hook.
In the west country, Peter Pan is the fairytale of choice at the Theatre Royal Plymouth. This Christmas, Captain Hook will be joined on stage by the mischievous Emu and his new partner in crime, Toby Hull (son of Rod Hull). They have been cast as part of the evil pirate gang alongside international slapstick act, The Acromaniacs. Discounts are available on groups of 10 or more.
At the New Victoria Theatre in Woking, ‘Happy Days’ star Henry Winkler will be the guest of honour this December. He will be playing the villainous Captain Hook alongside Clare Buckfield (ITV1’s ‘Dancing on Ice’), as the boy ‘who never grew up’. Group discounts apply for 20 or more people.
The Churchill in Bromley has a production of Peter Pan with flying effects, fairy dust and a ticking crocodile. This year American actor Paul Michael Glaser (Starsky in ‘Starsky & Hutch’) will be entertaining audiences in the role of Captain Hook. Groups of 10 or more receive discounted admission.
In Llandudno, in Wales, two of television’s recognisable faces will take to the stage at Venue Cymru as Chris Gascoyne (Peter Barlow in ‘Coronation Street’) and Dean Sullivan (Jimmy Corkhill in ‘Brookside’) star as Captain Hook and his pirate chum Starkey. Groups of 10 or more are eligible for discounts.
Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs has always been popular in pantoland and this year promises to be no different.
At the New Wimbledon Theatre, groups of 10 or more receive discounts on a production that will feature a magical talking mirror.
Meanwhile at the Buxton Opera House in Derbyshire, two former soap stars will be fronting this year’s seasonal production. Lynne Pearson (Carol Baldwin in ‘Coronation Street’) is the Wicked Queen who conspires to kill her beautiful step-daughter, played by Christina Baily (Dannii in ‘Hollyoaks’). Group discounts are available for parties of 8 or more.
In Cardiff, the New Theatre has enlisted ‘Birds of a Feather’ star Lesley Joseph to play the Wicked Queen in their traditional take on the pantomime theme. Audiences will also have a surprise in store as a mystery face is revealed behind the magic mirror. Groups of 20 or more receive discounts.
Sleeping Beauty, the classic folk tale about a cursed princess who pricks her finger on a spinning wheel, is a story that has enchanted audiences for generations.
This winter, the Mercury Theatre in Colchester will stage an adaptation of the story complete with toe-tapping musical numbers and an ensemble of local actors. Groups of 10 or more receive discounts.
Scottish audiences can also enjoy a performance of Sleeping Beauty at King’s Theatre in Glasgow. Comedian Karen Dunbar will be making her panto debut as Nanny Begood alongside actress Dawn Steele (‘Monarch of the Glen’) as the wicked witch Carrion. Groups of 10 or more receive discounts.
Seasonal favourite Jack and the Beanstalk, a tale about a boy who sells his last cow for a handful of magic beans, will also be entertaining audiences up and down the country.
Following the success of its first ever pantomime in 2006, the Barbican theatre in London will stage an adaptation scripted by Jonathan Harvey, whose previous credits include ‘Coronation Street’ and ‘Gimme, Gimme, Gimme’ on BBC1. The cast will include Mel Giedroyc, who is best known as one half of comedy duo, ‘Mel and Sue’ and Suzanne Shaw, formerly of pop band ‘Hearsay’. Groups of 10 or more receive a 20% discount.
In Mold, at the Clwyd Theatr Cymru, a modern version of the story will be performed and a cast of only ten people will act and provide the live musical accompaniment. Audiences can sing along to over 20 classic songs including ‘Reach Out’, ‘Sweetest Feeling’ and ‘We Will Rock You’ which have been imaginatively integrated into the script. Groups of 10 or more receive discounts and early booking is recommended.
The Hull New Theatre will also be staging Jack and the Beanstalk with comedy duo Cannon and Ball topping the bill and Dan O’ Connor (Ned in Neighbours’) playing Jack. This year’s production boasts an enormous animatronic giant and claims to have the tallest ‘beanstalk’ in the country. Groups of 20 or more receive discounted entry.
It’s showtime
Although pantomime is the first thing most of us associate with Christmas, there are plenty of other shows on offer at this time of year.
In central London, the Peacock Theatre, owned by Sadler’s Wells, is staging its 10th production of The Snowman, adapted from Raymond Briggs’ classic children’s book. The show will also be enchanting audiences this Christmas at the Birmingham Repertory Theatre and the Edinburgh Festival Theatre. Discounts vary between venues.
This year, Sadler’s Wells itself will be presenting their renowned interpretation of The Nutcracker, which has been entertaining audiences at the theatre for the past five years. Discounts are available for groups of 8 or more.
A Dickensian tale will be brought to life this Christmas at the Gielgud Theatre in the West End. A cast of 27 actors will recreate 1830’s England in Nicholas Nickleby, a production combining storytelling, movement, music and dance. It follows the tale of a young boy who must provide for his family following his father’s death, and escape the influence of his villainous Uncle Ralph who is out to destroy him. Groups of 8 or more receive discounts.
The Lyric Theatre on Shaftesbury Avenue is hosting a West End gala evening in December called Christmas in New York. This is an annual celebration and groups will be able to enjoy an assortment of seasonal show tunes performed by a cast of 12 West End regulars, including Julie Atherton and Paul Spicer. Groups of 15 or more receive a 10% discount.
Meanwhile, the Lyric Hammersmith will stage a new adaptation of Beauty and the Beast featuring Lisa Hammond from BBC2’s ‘North Face’. Pre-booked groups receive discounts.
In Hamphire, The Mayflower in Southampton will be presenting a brand new production of the musical, The Wizard of Oz. Featuring a stellar cast including Russ Abbott, Gregor Fisher (Rab C Nesbitt) and Matthew Kelly, groups of 10 or more receive discounts.
For fans of the West End,the New Theatre in Oxford will be performing Andrew Lloyd Webber’s hit musical Starlight Express for four weeks this Christmas.
Mamma Mia!, meanwhile, the popular musical based on the songs of 1970’s Swedish pop band Abba, will be staged this winter at the Bristol Hippodrome. Parties of 10 or more receive discounted entry.
For groups wanting a more traditional Christmas show, West Yorkshire Playhouse in Leeds will be staging C.S. Lewis’ classic fantasy tale, The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe. The enchanting world of Narnia will be re-created with the help of live music and thrilling battle scenes. Groups of 10 or more receive discounted entry to the show.
Further north at the Manchester Palace Theatre audiences can discover the spirit of Christmas with the heart-warming musical, Scrooge. Based on the Dickens classic ‘A Christmas Carol’, the show will star Shane Richie as the miser Ebenezer Scrooge. Groups of 10 or more receive discounts.
This year at the York Theatre Royal, Sinbad the Sailor will be staged and the cast will be lead by Berwick Kaler, making his 29th appearance at the theatre as the pantomime dame. Discounted rates are available for groups of 10 or more.
For celebrations with a difference, Blackpool Tower and Circus is hosting its annual Circus Yuletide. Featuring professional acrobats from across the globe and a live band, this year’s production will re-enact the popular fairytale, Cinderella. Entry to the show is included in the normal attraction admission price.
In Edinburgh, audiences can catch the musical based on the classic 1954 movie White Christmas at the Edinburgh Playhouse. It tells the story of two friends staging a Broadway show at a resort in Vermont and will feature Craig McLachlan from ‘Neighbours’ and Ken Kercheval of ‘Dallas’ fame. The show can also be seen in Cardiff at the Wales Millennium Centre. Groups of 10 or more receive discounts at both venues.
This Christmas, the Edinburgh Playhouse will also be staging one of Andrew Lloyd Webber’s renowned musical creations, Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat. Scot Craig Chalmers, a finalist in BBC1’s ‘Any Dream Will Do’, will play Joseph. Groups of 10 or more receive discounts.
Also in Edinburgh, the King’s Theatre is presenting a circus themed show based on Goldilocks and the Three Bears. Featuring trapeze acts, clowns, juggling, stilt-walking and the famous Ganbats from ‘The Mongolian State Circus’, the story features a villainous Count and Countess who plot to sabotage the circus and capture the Three Bears. Groups of 10 or more receive discounts.
May your Christmases be white
Ice dancing is popular with audiences of all ages and is a festive treat that combines world-class skating with live music, spectacular sets and dazzling costumes.
One of the most popular ice shows is Holiday on Ice. The latest production, Romanza, is touring the UK in January, and will visit Brighton, Wembley, Cardiff and Exeter. Through popular music and dance the show pays tribute to famous couples through the ages, from Romeo and Juliet to Sandy and Danny in Grease. Groups of 10 or more are eligible for discounts.
Visiting seven venues in the UK this year, ranging from London to Glasgow, Disney On Ice will present Disneyland Adventure featuring Disney/Pixar’s The Incredibles. Along with Mickey, Minnie and friends, the super heroes will take groups through the recreated sights of Disneyland, enjoying favourite Disney attractions including Space Mountain®, Pirates of the Caribbean and The Haunted Mansion. Promising to be an action packed adventure featuring innovative lighting and pyrotechnics, group discounts are available
The Russian Ice Stars will also be touring more than 16 venues in the UK this festive season with their renowned shows, ‘Peter Pan on Ice’ and ‘Beauty and the Beast on Ice’. Both are set to a soundtrack of popular music and combine high-speed skating with ballet and circus stunts. Discounts vary between venues.
Have a nut-cracking Crimbo
With their combination of dance, acting and music, ballets provide a pleasant evening of entertainment for groups over the festive period. New adaptations The Nutcracker, will be performed at many theatres this year.
To begin, the Northern Ballet will be touring the UK for four weeks between October and December, opening at the Palace Theatre, Manchester, followed by Sheffield, Canterbury and Leeds. Discounts are available.
Elsewhere, the Birmingham Royal Ballet and the Vienna Festival Ballet will once again be performing the tale of Clara and her Nutcracker doll at various UK theatres between October and December.
The English National Ballet will be presenting three productions this Christmas period. The Snow Queen, based on the famous gothic fairytale by Hans Christian Andersen, Swan Lake set to Tchaikovsky’s celebrated score, and an eccentric re-telling of The Nutcracker. The 64 dancers and full orchestra will be performing at several venues between October and January, including the London Coliseum and the Bristol Hippodrome. Groups are eligible for discounts.
Also featuring The Nutcracker, as well as Sleeping Beauty and Swan Lake, the St Petersburg Ballet Theatre, will be touring 16 venues in the UK between October and February 2008 including the Glasgow Royal Concert Hall. The shows will star Irina Kolesnikova in the principal role and six venues will also be holding a gala performance featuring extracts from several different ballets. Group discounts vary.
The Scottish Ballet, meanwhile, will perform a romantic rendition of The Sleeping Beauty at four theatres in Scotland. Groups in Glasgow, Edinburgh, Aberdeen and Inverness can receive discounts on selected performances