The Panto season runs from mid-November to mid-February throughout the UK. Take a look at what’s in theaters across the UK for the 2018/2019 season.
Cities, towns and villages have one or more pantos for the holiday season. Use this list to find some of the biggest productions.
What’s that? Not sure what a panto is? Click for information on pantos, traditional British family entertainment.
This year, many companies are showing at least a “relaxed performance” during their careers. Open to all, they are specifically designed to allow children with special needs, learning disabilities, and autism spectrum conditions and their families to enjoy live panto. Auditorium lights are kept low, stage noises are softened, and audience members can enter and exit the auditorium as needed. Also, the staff is online to help.
In the meantime, here is where to find the best pantos this holiday season:
Panto list
- Aldershot, Princes Hall, Beauty and the Beast, December 7-31.
- Bath Theater Royal Peter Pan, with Paul Nicholas of East Enders as Captain Hook, December 13 – January 13
- Birmingham Peter Pan Racecourse with Jimmy Osmond as Captain Hook and Meera Syal as the Magic Mermaid, December 19 – January 27
- Bristol Racecourse, Cinderella, December 8 – January 6, with Brian Conley and Gok Wan as the Fairy Godmother.
- Camberley Theater Sleeping Beauty, December 10-31
- Cambridge Arts Theater Aladdin, with Wayne Sleep as Abanazar and Liza Goddard this year as The Empress, from November 39 to January 6.
- Canterbury, Marlowe Theater Cinderella, November 23 – January 6
- Cardiff, New Theater Beauty and the Beast, with Lisa Riley and retired Welsh rugby player Gareth Thomas. December 8 to January 13
- Derby
- D erby Arena Jack and the Beanstalk, Dec. 8-Jan. 5
- Guildhall Theater Cinderella, November 29-December 2
- Edinburgh , Kings Theater Beauty and the Beast December 1 to January 30
- Glasgow
- King of Theater Aladdin December 1 to January 6
- Tron Theater Mammy Goose. As always, the special touch of the Tron Theater in the seasonal panto. Will Mammy Goose choose eternal youth over friendship and love? Will Loosey Goosey taste better with BBQ sauce or plum sauce, will Jack go up the hill with his new friend Will? Find out from November 27 to January 6.
- Websters Theater, Britney and the Beast, from the same team that created Jack and the Baked Bean Stock last year. They promise a lot of fun Glasgae.
- Clyde Auditorium, Cinderella. December 12-30 with the Eternal Krankies
- Hastings, White Rock Theater Jack and the Beanstalk, December 14-30, with Michelle Collins and Chico
- Leeds, Carriageworks Beauty and the Beast, November 23-December 31; and Snow White and the 7 dwarfs from January 18 to 26
- Llandudno, Venue Cymru, Cinderella, December 8-30.
- Liverpool Empire Jack and the Beanstalk, with Shirley Ballas from Strictly Come Dancing, December 14 – January 6
- London and London area
- The Beck Theater in Hayes, Middlesex Peter Pan, with Ryan Thomas of Coronation Street and Celebrity Big Brother, December 7-30
- The Compass Theater, Ickenham, Middlesex, Aladdin, December 6-January 5
- Hackney Empire Aladdin, Nov. 24-Jan. 6
- Greenwich Theater, Robinson Crusoe. Everyone loves Greenwich Panto, so popular they don’t even need TV stars to draw in the crowd. From November 23 to January 13
- King’s Head Theater Buttons, A Cinderella Story: Don’t expect anything too traditional from this established fringe theater. Some of the evening shows are for adults only. November 29 to January 5
- Lyric Hammersmith Dick Whittington, Nov. 17-Jan. 6
- New Wimbledon Aladdin Theater – This should be great with comedian Paul Merton as Panto Dame, Widow Twankey. with “Pub Landlord” Al Murray. December 8 to January 6
- The Shaw Theater Beauty and the Beast, December 8-30
- Theater Royal Stratford East Sleeping Beauty, December 1 – January 12
- Manchester The Opera House Cinderella, with Gareth Gates and Les Dennis, December 8-30.
- Musselburgh, Brunton Theater Jack and the Beanstalk, November 27-January 5
- Norwich, Theater Royal Aladdin, December 12 – January 13
- Nottingham, Theater Royal Peter Pan, December 8 – January 13
- Oxford Playhouse, Dick Whittington and his cat, November 23-January 6
- Richmond Peter Pan Theater, Robert Lindsay in his Panto debut as Captain Hook, Dec. 8-Jan. 6
- Sheffield, Lyceum Peter Pan, Shaun Williamson (Barry of East Enders) rise from the dead once again to play Captain Hook, December 7 – January 6
- Swansea, Grand Theater Cinderella, December 14 – January 13
- Winchester Theater Royal Beauty and the Beast, December 1 – January 6
- Woking, New Victoria Theater Cinderella with Strictly Come Dancing’s Craig Revel Horwood in merry crawl as the wicked stepmother, December 7 – January 6.
- York
- Theater Royal The Grand Old Dame of York, a celebration of Berwick Kaler’s 40th anniversary as the legendary Dame of York. A festival of jokes, music, quirky costumes, and traditional panto twists. December 13 to February 2.
- Grand Opera House Cinderella and the Lost Slipper, December 14 – January 5
