8 minute read
FESTIVE THEATRE
A rundown of the best panto and Christmas shows around this year. Times vary unless otherwise stated.
Dick Whittington at The Octagon, Yeovil.
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Dick Whittington
Dick leaves home thinking he’ll find the streets of London paved with gold and he’ll make his fortune. What he does find however, is the evil King Rat. Luckily for him he has his cat with him who turns out to be very useful. He could never begin to imagine how it could turn out, but you can see for yourselves at:
Octagon Theatre
Hendford, Yeovil Box Office 01935 422884 December 9 - January 1 The purrrfect pantomime adventure, as we follow our hero to seek his fame, fortune, and happiness in London Town. With help from the magical Fairy Bowbells and his trusty feline friend – what could possibly go wrong? Action packed story, spectacular sets and costumes, amazing special effects and a genuinely funny script. Tickets £16 - £26, children £16 - £23.50, family £77.
Princess Theatre
Join Burnham and District Panto Society for the usual mayhem, exciting wigs and general furore as they take you on a journey. Adults £15, children £12.
Treasure Island
McMillan Theatre
Bath Road, Bridgwater Box Office 01278 556677 December 16 - 29 Follow young Jim Hawkins’ exciting adventures with the infamous pirate Long John Silver as they go in search of Captain Flint’s buried treasure. With mutiny afoot can good triumph over evil? Swashbuckling pantomime adventure filled with all the usual laugh out loud comedy, singalong songs, stunning set and scenery, beautiful costumes, an incredible cast and a sensational live band. Tickets £18 - £22, children £15 - £22, family £60 - £74.
Wizard of Oz
Little Theatre Wells
Box Office 01749 672280 December 10 - 17 Follow the yellow brick road with Dorothy, Scarecrow, Tinman and Lion on their journey through the magical land of Oz to meet the Wizard and obtain their heart’s desires. Adults £13, children £11.
Belle and Sebastian
Bristol Old Vic
Belle and Sebastien have run into the mountains, away from everyone and everything. Born on the same day seven years ago, this boy and this dog have yearned forever to feel like they belong. Join these mischievous, playful, kindred spirits as they adventure into the wild to escape and discover themselves. For 4 year olds and above in the Weston Studio. Tickets from £8.
Sleeping Beauty
You have to be so careful when issuing invitations. Leaving someone out can cause offence, and when the offended person has magic at their fingertips it doesn’t bode well – as the King and Queen find out to their cost. 100 years is a long sleep, and it will be longer unless a prince happens along. Is there a prince around when he’s needed? Find out at: Tacchi-Morris Arts Centre
Spectacular panto packed with magic, music, comedy and beautiful costumes. Adults £19, children £17.
The Playhouse
Enjoy a traditional pantomime full of family-friendly comedy, sparkling song and dazzling dance numbers. Starring Viki Michelle and Derek Morgan. Adults £27, £29, children £24.90, £25.90 , family £90, £95.
Taunton Brewhouse
Follow the story of Princess Aurora’s coming of age, at parties hosted by her forgetful father, Old King Cole, and bossy mother, Queen Catherine. There is fun and laughter with Nanny Nightnurse and Muddles, the court jester. Presented by the Wayfarers with big dance numbers, great musical performances and laughs a plenty. For children aged 3 to 93. Tickets £13 - £17.
Poor old Cinders slaves away all day cleaning up after her gruesome ugly sisters. But with a sprinkling of fairy dust and a particularly large pumpkin, her luck is about to change. Join Cinders as she goes from rags to riches, outwits her very wicked sisters and meets her dashing Prince Charming at:
Bristol Hippodrome
St Augustine’s Parade Box Office 0844 871 3012 December 4-31 Traditional panto with laugh out loud comedy, special effects and plenty of audience participation, Starring Craig Revel Horwood, tickets from £13.
Memorial Theatre
Frome Box Office 01373 462795 December 28 - January 3 Presented by Frome Musical Theatre Company. Featuring spectacular scenery, beautiful costumes, toe-tapping songs, laugh out loud comedy, lots of sparkle and plenty of audience participation. Adults £15, children £13, family £50.
Cinderella at Bristol Hippodrome
Strode Theatre
Strode College, Church Road, Street Box Office 01458 442846 December 23 - January 1 Cinderella dreams of becoming a dancer, but living in the shadow of her Stepsisters and with so many chores do to for her Stepmother after school, the only time she can dance is with her friends at the launderette. One day, she comes across an opportunity to fulfil her dreams and escape. But, with her stepsisters determined to stop her and only a lessthan competent Fairy Godmother and Fairy-Godmotherin-Training to help her, things don’t go quite as planned. New version of the classic tale for all the family packed with comedy, dance, dazzling dames and live music. Tickets £10 - £18.50, family £48, £57.
Festive Theatre
Aladdin
A tale of sorcery and good verses evil in the mysterious orient. Can our hero find the magic lamp and marry the girl of his dreams – Princess Jasmine? Or will Aladdin’s plans be thwarted by the villainous Abanazar, who wants the lamp – and the princess – for himself? The answers are at:
Theatre Royal Bath
Box Office 01225 448844 December 8 - January 8 New pantomime full of enchanting story, side-splitting comedy, exotic settings, dazzling special effects, plenty of comedy slapstick and much-loved routines. Boo the baddies, cheer the goodies and join in with the most magical of magic carpet rides. Starring Tom Lister (Emmerdale) and Nick Wilton (Eastenders). Tickets from £9 to £39.50, depending on day and time of performance.
Warehouse Theatre
Brewery Lane, Ilminster Box Office 07943 779880 December 1 - 3, 8 - 10 Pantomime adventure for all the family with hilarious comedy from Twankey, Wishee, and a hyperactive washing machine. Tickets £12, children £6 from the website.
Redgrave Theatre
Percival Road, Clifton Box Office 0117 983 6024 December 7 - 31 With spectacular scenery, dazzling costumes, spellbinding special effects and lots of audience participation. Suitable for everyone aged 3 – 103. Tickets £18, concs £16, family £62.
Octagon Theatre
Hendford, Yeovil Box Office 01935 422884 January 26 - 28 Yeovil Amateur Pantomime Society with a spectacular genie-us of a family pantomime. Expect all the traditional panto ingredients - toe tapping tunes, a
Five Children and It
Theatre Royal Bath Box Office 01225 448844 December 9 - January 15 Sent away to live in the countryside with their reclusive Uncle, five children discover a secret that’s been hidden away for centuries: a magical, mischievous and extremely grumpy Sand Fairy called It with the power to grant spectacular wishes. There’s just one catch… Perhaps a wish granted isn’t always the dream come true you might expect. For 6 year olds and over in the Egg. Adults £20, children £15.
Nutcracker
Bristol Old Vic
King Street, Bristol Box Office 0117 987 7877 Until January 7 On a Christmas Eve unlike any other, Clara receives a magical gift. Transported to a fantastical kingdom where just about anything feels possible, she soon discovers that it’s not just mice lurking beneath the floorboards. But danger is coming - will Clara and her friends be able to stop the King of the Rats in his tracks before it’s too late? For 7 year olds and above. Tickets from £10.
Christmas Tales with Grandad
The Wardrobe Theatre
A magical feast of festive stories including a special pair of Christmas pants, the mystery of the magic whistle, and the mischievous shenanigans of the Tomten – a feisty Gnome, who loves the chance to play havoc at Christmas, and who might just be the reason Granddad can’t find his favourite tree decoration. Creating a sense of the fireside in the theatre, Granddad will welcome imaginative input from the audience as he weaves his own brand of heart-warming storytelling and festive cheer. For 3 year olds and above at 11am and 2pm. Tickets £10. Taunton Brewhouse
Coal Orchard, Taunton Box Office 01823 283244 December 6-30 Stranded in the middle of the Sahara Desert, a brave pilot meets the Little Prince, a mysterious child from far away with a universe of stories to share. As water begins to run out, can these fantastical tales of adventure help this unlikely pair find a way home? Based on the much-loved story by Antoine de Saint-Exupery, join the planet-hopping prince on an intergalactic adventure like no other. You’ll meet a host of colourful characters – from the friendly fox to prickly rose. Uplifting tale of friendship and imagination complete with spectacular circus and enchanting original songs. Tickets £16 - £27.
Snow Queen
Tobacco Factory
Raleigh Road, Southville, Bristol Box Office 01117 902 0344 December 1 - January 15 The Snow Queen rules a frozen land far away that is as cold as her heart. Can anyone defeat her and return life to the land? Perhaps she made a mistake in luring Kai to her beautiful, but deadly palace of ice. He has a loyal friend, Gerda, who is determined to rescue him and doesn’t give up easily. Has the Queen met her match? Wrap up warmly, hop on-board a Nordic sleigh, adventure through a mystical land of snow and magic and even fly through the sky with a bicycling reindeer. For 5 year olds and above. Tickets £16, children £12.
