With Christmas fast approaching, and families across the North East really getting into the festive spirit, what better way to spend your time than getting the family out to a traditional Christmas pantomime?
We’ve got a round-up of all the pantomimes going on in the North East for this Christmas period.
Darlington Hippodrome – Snow White and the Seven Dwarves
With pop and musical theatre star Gareth Gates as the Prince, and Jenny ‘The Vixen’ Ryan from ITV’s The Chase as the Wicked Queen, get ready to see Snow White and the Seven Dwarves as you’ve never seen them before.
The show will run from December 8 until December 31, with ticket prices ranging from £17.50 to £30.50.
Book via: https://www.darlingtonhippodrome.co.uk/whats-on/Snow-White-and-the-Seven-Dwarfs
The Majestic Theatre in Darlington - Cinderella Cinderella
It's set to really come to life on the stage at Darlington, with Ryan Early from Coronation Street starring as Prince Charming. Follow along as Cinderella navigates her two Ugly Sisters with the help of her friend Buttons and her magical fairy godmother.
Running from December 20 to 28, you can get adult tickets for £15 each, or a family ticket for £50 (valid for 2 adults and 2 children, or 1 adult and 3 children).
Book via: https://www.ticketsource.co.uk/darlingtonpantomime
Sunderland Empire - Beauty and The Beast
Forget what you think you know about the story of Beauty and the Beast. Join Belle, The Beast, and the rest of the cast in a hilarious journey, as an evil enchantress transports them to a cursed castle. Emmerdale and Ackley Bridge actress Charlie Hardwick stars as Fairy Bon Bon, alongside Channel 5 Milkshake! presenter Olivia Birchenough as Belle.
The production runs from December 8 to 31 and tickets range from £13 to £40.
Book via: https://www.atgtickets.com/shows/beauty-and-the-beast/sunderland-empire/
Tyne Theatre and Opera House - Peter Pan
Take flight with Peter Pan and Wendy this Christmas, alongside a star-studded cast. See Matt Lapinskas from EastEnders and Dancing on Ice as Peter Pan, CBBC star Cleo Demetriou as Wendy, and Sam Lavery from The X Factor and Capital Radio as Tiger Lily.
Performance dates are available between December 8 and January 7, 2024.
Ticket prices are between £16.50 - £27.50 for seats, or £73 - £99 for a family ticket (for either 2 adults and 2 children, or 1 adult and 3 children).
Book via: https://www.tynetheatreandoperahouse.uk/portfolio/enchanted-entertainment-presents-peter-pan/
Whitley Bay Playhouse - Cinderella
With TV’s dance sensation Louis Spence starring as the Fairy Godmother, and panto legend Steve Walls as Buttons, this show is sure to be a night of belly laughs and family fun. Join Cinderella and a host of other characters in their hilarious escapades.
Running from December 8 until January 6, 2024, you can get tickets from £24 each.
Book via: https://www.playhousewhitleybay.co.uk/events/cinderella-christmas-panto-2023/
Theatre Royal Newcastle - Pinocchio
This is certainly a show not to be missed, as Pinocchio makes its pantomime debut at the Theatre Royal in Newcastle. Join Danny Adams as Pinocchio, as he transforms into a real boy and tries to stop his nose from growing every time he tells a lie.
The show runs from November 28 to January 14, 2024 and tickets range from £12.50 to £26.50.
Book via: https://www.theatreroyal.co.uk/whats-on/pinocchio/
Northern Stage, Newcastle - Cinderella: A Fairytale
Meet Ella, who prefers a Doc Martin to a glass slipper. Follow along as she meets a boy in the woods who loves to bird watch too, and prepare to sing and dance in your seats all the way through to her happily-ever-after.
The show is running from December 2 to January 6, 2024, with tickets from £10 to £29.
Book via: https://northernstage.co.uk/whats-on/cinderella-a-fairytale/
Gala Theatre, Durham - Cinderella
In the magical land of No-Place Hall, Ella tries to find the love of her life alongside her outrageous Fairy Godmother, best friend Buttons, and Pipsqueak the mouse.
The show is running from November 23 until January 6, 2024, and you can get tickets from as little as £8, or £60 for a family ticket.
Book via: https://galadurham.co.uk/galapost/cinderella/
Forum Theatre Billingham - Jack and the Beanstalk
“Fe-Fi-Fo-Fum, if you miss this panto, you will be glum!” Join Jack, Dame Trott, Simple Simon, and Daisy the Cow on a thrilling adventure up the beanstalk, complete with breath-taking special effects.
Show dates are from December 2 until December 31, and ticket prices start from £21.
Book via: https://www.forumtheatrebillingham.co.uk/show/jack-the-beanstalk/
Bishop Auckland Town Hall - Aladdin
Join a whole host of hilarious and colourful characters on an enchanted journey of magic and mysticism as the greatest panto of them all flies into Bishop Auckland this Christmas… Aladdin!
Marvel at the adventures of a young lad from the far East… of Newcastle as he overcomes the odds stacked against him. Wonder at the power of his magical lamp and the spirit contained within. Cower in fear as evil forces battle to control and ultimately defeat him and laugh your little socks off at the antics of our hilarious Dame and blundering knock about.
A swashbuckling non-stop thrill ride of a show for all the family.
Staged by Mendes Management, it runs from December 5 to 10, before transferring to North of the Tyne to The Exchange 1856 theatre in North Shields, recently reopened by Sting, now under new management, where it runs from December 14 to 24.
Ticket prices at Bishop Auckland are £16 for adults, £14 for concessions and £53 for a family ticket, featuring a minimum of two children.
Tickets can be booked via www.bishopauckland town hall. org.uk, or by ringing (07766) 335055.
The Customs House South Shields - Aladdin
Watch as Dame Bella Twanky Ballcock, her son Aladdin and her unlucky nephew Dennis try to make a living at the Cooksonville Laundry before Aladdin gets tricked by his evil Uncle Abanazar into the magical Cave of Souls.
You can watch the show from November 23 until January 6, 2024. Tickets start from £12.
Book via: https://www.customshouse.co.uk/theatre/aladdin/
Phoenix Theatre Blyth - Dick Whittington
For Phoenix Theatre’s 45th Anniversary Pantomime, join Dick Whittington and his sidekick Tommy on their magical rags-to-riches tale. But come prepared – there may be bandits with water pistols along the way!
Join the fun for show dates between December 1 to 10 December. Tickets range from £16.50 to £18.50.
Book via: https://www.thephoenixtheatre.org.uk/whats-on/theatre/dick-whittington/
Empire Theatre, Consett - Jack and the Beanstalk
Visit Beaver Ridge Campsite, where they have a huge problem – campers are being scared away by the sound of giant footsteps every night, shaking the ground. Follow Jack Beansprout, Madame Cowella Daville and a whole host of other characters, as they try to save their village.
Shows are between December 1 and 31 December, and tickets are available from £17 per person or £56 for a family ticket.
Book via: https://empireconsett.co.uk/galapost/jack-and-the-beanstalk/
The Royalty Theatre, Sunderland – Aladdin
A traditional family-friendly panto for children of all ages brings to life the classic adventure story of Aladdin, with the help of some spectacular special effects.
The panto will be shown from December 7 until December 23, with adult tickets starting from £10.
Book via: https://royaltytheatre.co.uk/aladdin/
Hartlepool Town Hall - Peter Pan and the Lost Boys
Peter Pan takes flight alongside a cast of audience favourites, featuring TV’s Britain’s Got Talent finalist Danny Posthill as Starkey, “the North’s favourite Dame” Gary Martin Davis as Mrs Smee, and dancers from Ruff Diamond Academy as The Lost Boys.
Peter Pan will be performed at shows between December 10 and 28. Child tickets are on sale between £18 - £20 and adult tickets are between £20 - £24.50.
Book via: https://www.culturehartlepool.com/events/aj-theatrical-productions-presents-peter-pan/
Rainton Arena, Houghton-le-Spring - Robin Hood
The infamous story of Robin Hood comes to life on this stage, as he battles the evil Sherriff of Nottingham with the help of his merry men and women. This production is guaranteed to be a fun mix of mayhem, live music and laughter.
Running from December 18 to 24, you can get tickets from as little as £4.75.
Book via: https://raintonarena.co.uk/events/christmas-panto-2023/
The Witham, Barnard Castle – The Wizard of Oz
Follow the yellow brick road to Oz, in this colourful and fun performance of the classic novel and movie. You’re sure to be in for some chaos, some laughter, and some family-friendly festive chaos.
Running from December 15 to 24. You can get adult tickets from £15, child tickets from £12 and a family ticket (including at least 1 child) from £48.
Book via: https://thewitham.org.uk/event/the-wizard-of-oz/
The Witham, Barnard Castle – Santa Rocks
This magical ‘Santamime’ is truly one of a kind. Santa’s annual ‘Snow Ball’ is gate-crashed by the evil Jack Frost, who steals all the festive cheer away from the North Pole. In the following chaos, you’re sure to laugh as Santa tries his best to save Christmas.
The show has one performance running on December 18, with tickets from £12 each. Family tickets are £40 (with which every additional child is just £5).
Book via: https://thewitham.org.uk/event/santa-rocks/
The Georgian Theatre Royal, Richmond – Rapunzel
With a national reputation for its pantomimes, The Georgian Theatre Royal presents the classic tale of Rapunzel in all its glory, with a few hilarious twists. There will be dancing, singing, and knitted vegetable created by the local community to throw at the actors!
The show is running from December 6 until January 7, 2024. Tickets are available from £15.
Book via: https://www.georgiantheatreroyal.co.uk/Whats-on/Pantomime
Middlesbrough Theatre – Cinderella
The latest in a long line of traditional family pantomimes, join Amelia Lily as the Fairy Godmother and Philip Green as Buttons, as they star in this fun-filled production.
There will be performances between December 8 and January 7, 2024. Tickets will be £24 for adults, £22.50 for children, and £88 for a family ticket.
https://www.middlesbroughtheatre.co.uk/event/cinderella/
York Theatre Royal – Jack and the Beanstalk
EastEnders' Nina Wadia stars as Fairy Sugarsnap in this production of Jack and the Beanstalk, alongside CBBC’s and CBeebies’ James Mackenzie as the villainous Luke Backinanger, and York favourite Robin Simpson as Dame Trott. It promises to be their most spectacular pantomime yet.
The show will run from December 8 until January 7, 2024. Ticket prices range from £15-£41 for Under 18s, and £15-£41 for adults.
https://www.yorktheatreroyal.co.uk/show/jack-and-the-beanstalk/
Recommended reading:
- Gareth Gates joins cast of this year's Darlington Hippodrome pantomime
- Actress playing Buttons in Cinderella at Gala Theatre in Durham
- Children meet Wizard of Oz pantomime cast at The Witham
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Grand Opera House York – Robinson Crusoe and the Pirates of the River Ouse
Berwick Kaler’s traditional pantomime is a York must-see if you are in the city, as the famous stage presents a captivating tale of magic, mayhem and thrills. This sea-faring tale offers an unusual twist on the festive season, for audiences both young and old.
You can see one of the performances between December 9 and January 6, 2024. Tickets are available from £13.
https://www.atgtickets.com/shows/robinson-crusoe-and-the-pirates-of-the-river-ouse/grand-opera-house-york/
- Every effort has been made to include as many pantomimes in the region as possible. But if yours is missing, let us know by emailing us at newsdesk@nne.co.uk and will add it to the list.
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