Theatre January.qxp_Layout 1 13/12/2018 13:09 Page 6
Theatre previews from around the region
The Snowman The REP, Birmingham, Wed 16 - Sat 26 January
Making a welcome return to The Rep in its traditional New Year slot, Raymond Briggs' The Snowman is best known, of course, for Howard Blake's classic song, Walking In The Air... When a young boy’s snowman comes to life on Christmas Eve, the two set off on a nighttime quest for excitement. On their travels they meet reindeer, dancing penguins and some of the Snowman’s many and varied friends. The adventure's not without its anxieties, however, with the wicked Jack Frost eager to get his icy mits on the pair of unlikely chums...
The Tiger Who Came To Tea
Emily Brown And The Thing
Symphony Hall, Birmingham, until Sun 13 January
The Patrick Studio, Birmingham Hippodrome, until Sun 6 January
When young Emily Brown and her best pal toy rabbit Stanley - discover a Thing crying outside their bedroom window, they can’t help but try to assist him... Adapted from the book of the same name by Cressida Cowell, the author behind the famous How To Train Your Dragon series, this witty and heartwarming children’s show is presented by the ever-magical Tall Stories theatre company.
The tea-guzzling tiger is back in town, dropping in on Sophie and her mum just as they’re settling down for an afternoon cuppa... Adapted by David Wood from Judith Kerr’s 1968 book, this 55-minute show features some splendid singalong songs and boasts plenty of magic - not to mention a big, stripey tiger, of course! Suitable for youngsters aged three and older.
Pantos in January Aladdin Palace Theatre, Redditch, until Sun 6 January
A perfect story for an evening of family entertainment finds street youth Aladdin trying against all odds to win the hand of the beautiful princess - and being helped in his endeavours by the mystical genie of the lamp...
Cinderella The Place, Oakengates Theatre, Telford, until Sun 6 January
Oakengates Theatre’s panto version of Cinderella features CBeebies star Joe Chambers and ’90s pop singer Anna Kumble. EastEnders actor Tony Discipline plays Prince Charming.
Dick Whittington Lichfield Garrick, until Sat 5 January; The Roses Theatre, Tewkesbury, until Sat 5 January
Dick Whittington undertakes his legendary journey to London - but not before stopping off at a couple of Midlands theatre venues. Both shows come complete with all the usual panto trimmings.
Dick Whittington: The Rock And Roll Panto Stafford Gatehouse Theatre, until Sun 6 January
Robin Hood Regent Theatre, Stoke-on-Trent, until Sun 6 January
As usual, Stafford Gatehouse’s Christmas show features all manner of familiar pantomime elements and a high-energy soundtrack of chart-busting hits.
‘Son of the Potteries’ Jonathan Wilkes dons the tights to star as Sherwood Forest’s most famous outlaw. Fellow Regent pantomime regular Christian Patterson takes on the role of Friar Tuck.
Mother Goose
Sleeping Beauty
Theatre Severn, Shrewsbury, until Sun 6 January
Belgrade Theatre, Coventry, until Sat 5 January; The Core, Solihull, until Sun 6 January; Wolverhampton Grand Theatre, until Sun 13 January
Theatre Severn’s favourite panto dame, Brad Fitt, takes the title role in a show that boasts 3D effects, singing & dancing galore and plenty of family-friendly humour.
Peter Pan Birmingham Hippodrome, until Sun 27 January
Jimmy Osmond takes top billing as wicked pirate Captain Hook in a show that also features Meera Syal, making her pantomime debut as the Magical Mermaid, and Union J star Jaymi Hensley - another panto first-timer - in the role of Peter Pan. Hippodrome favourite Matt Slack makes a welcome return to star as Smee.
Sleeping Beauty’s taking a nap at venues across the Midlands, including the Coventry Belgrade, whose show is written and directed by Iain Lauchlan, and the Wolverhampton Grand Theatre, where Strictly Come Dancing’s Debbie McGee stars alongside Sooty and Doreen ‘Lazy Cow’ Tipton.
Snow White And The Seven Dwarfs Malvern Theatres, until Sun 6 January
Heigh ho, heigh ho, it’s off to Malvern we go! Su Pollard heads the cast as the ever-so-nasty Wicked Queen. Hi-de-hi!
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