Get ready for colourful costumes, cheeky jokes and comedy gold as panto season is here.
It’s that time of year again (oh, yes it is!) when we indulge in our silly side and let our inner child loose with a brilliant panto or two. Here are some of Kent’s top picks for this Christmas…
MARLOWE THEATRE, Canterbury
The award-winning theatre, which is known for putting on one of the best pantos in the entire country, is back with another star-studded production. This year, Marlowe Theatre favourite Ben Roddy and Cbeebies presenter Phil Gallagher will be starring in Aladdin, alongside former Strictly pro Kevin Clifton.
“I’m really excited to be a part of it,” says the dancer and musical theatre star. “I love doing things that people don’t expect me to do, so a villain in Aladdin is perfect. The louder they can boo me, the better!”
Completing the cast are West End stars Alistair So and Lauren Chia, who have performed in shows such as Matilda, The King and I, the Sound of Music and Disney’s Aladdin, and WhatsOnStage winner Courtney Bowman who won Best Performer in a Musical for her role in SIX The Musical.
Details: Friday, November 24 to Sunday, January 7 at the Marlowe Theatre in Canterbury. Tickets start from £16 and can be booked online here. You can also book by calling 01227 787787.
HAZLITT THEATRE, Maidstone
Get ready to meet buccaneering pirates and boisterous Lost Boys at Maidstone’s swashbuckling pantomime. The New Adventures of Peter Pan is a modern adaptation of the story that we all know and love, with colourful costumes, musical comedy and larger-than-life characters.
Claudine Russell, from Maidstone Borough Council, said: “I love pantomimes; they are such fun and full of musical comedy. We are pleased to be supporting the Hazlitt Theatre, which is such an important part of the arts and culture offer in the borough of Maidstone.”
The panto, which has been organised by Parkwood Theatres, the Hazlitt Theatre and MBC, will also have three relaxed performances during its run with modifications to make the show accessible to everyone.
Details: Saturday, November 25 to New Year’s Eve at the Hazlitt Theatre in Maidstone. Tickets start from £17 and can be booked online here. You can also book by calling 01622 758611.
WOODVILLE THEATRE, Gravesend
Popstar and TV personality Michelle Heaton is showing fans her villainous side as she stars as the Wicked Queen in Snow White. This year’s panto features not only the Liberty X singer but also local favourite Rob Cummings, who returns as Dame Sarah Soggybottom, and Dizzy O’Dare as the lovable Muddles.
Details: Friday, December 1 to New Year’s Day at the Woodville Theatre in Gravesend. Tickets start from £19 and can be booked online here. You can also book by calling 01474 337500.
CHURCHILL THEATRE, Bromley
Loose Women star Brenda Edwards is about to make the wishes of Bromley families come true with this year’s panto, Cinderella. The magical fairytale is being brought to life by the former X Factor singer, who will play the Fairy Godmother, alongside comedian and ventriloquist John Kimmons and theatre performer Steven Dalziel.
“I think we’re going to have a lot of fun here this year,” says Brenda, who is known for appearing in musical theatre shows such as Chicago and We Will Rock You. “Cinderella is one of the oldest stories that there is and the moral of the story is that no matter how bad things are, or how bad things can get, there’s always light at the end of the tunnel.”
“Cinderella is the classic panto,” adds Steven. “It’s got a bit of everything – magic, wicked stepsisters, so many fun characters and we’ve got such an amazing cast. So if you’re looking for one to pick, pick Cinderella! Go for the classic!”
Details: Saturday, December 2 to New Year’s Eve at the Churchill Theatre in Bromley. Tickets start from £22 and can be booked online here. You can also book by calling 03433 100020.
CENTRAL THEATRE, Chatham
Familiar faces from TV will be making an appearance in Medway this Christmas. EastEnders actor Delroy Atkinson, who plays Howie in the long-running soap, and CBBC’s Dumping Ground star William Wyn Davies will be performing in the Central Theatre’s new panto, Aladdin.
Delroy, who has also appeared in Luther, Death in Paradise and Pirates of the Caribbean: Salazar’s Revenge, will be playing panto baddie Abanazaar and William will appear as the “hilarious” Police Constable. They will also be joined by Everybody’s Talking About Jamie star Alex Anstey as Widow Twankey.
The show, which is organised by the same team behind last year’s panto, promises live music, colourful costumes, amazing sets, stunning special effects and “plenty of panto fun and laughter”.
Details: Friday, December 8 to New Year’s Eve at the Central Theatre in Chatham. Tickets start from £16 and can be booked online here. You can also book by calling 01634 338338.
LEAS CLIFF HALL, Folkestone
A Touch of Frost star John Lyons is swapping detective dramas for panto fun this Christmas as he appears in Folkestone’s enchanting show, Beauty and the Beast. Audiences will meet bookworm Belle, who finds herself trapped in a castle with the Beast and a whole host of strange characters, including singing candlesticks and talking teapots.
John Lyons, who is now in his 31st panto season, is also known for appearing in stage shows such as The Mousetrap and Oh What a Lovely War and on screen in the likes of The Sweeney and Upstairs Downstairs.
Producer Paul Holman said: “John is a fabulous character actor with great versatility and he’s never afraid to take on something new. Pantomime goers can expect the unexpected with John; don’t be surprised if he’s rapping or delivering his own take on the latest TikTok dance craze!”
Details: Friday, December 8 to New Year’s Eve at Leas Cliff Hall in Folkestone. Tickets start from £15 and can be booked online here. You can also book by calling 01303 228600.
STAG THEATRE, Sevenoaks
To celebrate its 15th year of panto, The Stag in Sevenoaks is pulling out all the stops for this year’s Jack and the Beanstalk. From silly sidekicks to panto dames, tongue-in-cheek jokes to slapstick comedy, there’s something for everyone.
Returning to the theatre this Christmas is Jamie Alexander Wilson, who will be once again stepping into the dame’s high heels, and West End star Rosie Glossop, who has appeared in huge shows such as Kinky Boots and Pricilla Queen of the Desert.
The show boasts colourful characters, sing-along songs and, of course, a giant beanstalk that will take audiences up into the clouds.
Details: Friday, December 8 to New Year’s Eve at the Stag Theatre in Sevenoaks. Tickets start from £16 and can be booked online here. You can also book by calling 01732 450175.
ORCHARD THEATRE, Dartford
After an initial setback earlier this year, the Orchard Theatre has managed to find a last-minute temporary home for this year’s Beauty and the Beast panto – after all, the show must go on.
Now taking place in the 1,000-capacity Orchard West theatre, the cast includes soap actors Shona McGarty, best known for playing EastEnders’ Whitney Dean, and Gravesend-born Harry Reid, who played Ben Mitchell on Albert Square from 2014 to 2018. Britain’s Got Talent semi-finalist John Archer is also set to appear as Belle’s father.
Soap star Shona said her EastEnders co-stars have been offering tips ahead of her panto debut.
“They told me not to push my voice too much as there are a lot of shows and you have to take it easy,” she said. “But I want to really give it my all.”
Details: Saturday, December 9 to New Year’s Eve at the Orchard West Theatre (temporary home of the Orchard Theatre) in Dartford. Tickers start from £18 and can be booked online here. You can also book by calling 03433 100033.
ASSEMBLY HALL THEATRE, Tunbridge Wells
When Belle, her friend Jacques and his mum, Betty, become trapped inside the Beast’s enchanted castle, there’s plenty of mishaps and mayhem to be had.
Rita Simons, who is best known for her role in EastEnders as the feisty Roxy Mitchell from 2007 to 2017, will be stepping into the world of panto and leading the cast of this year’s show, which also features CBBC’s Stewart McCheyne.
This year’s panto Beauty and the Beast is brought to life by Little Wolf Entertainment, the same team behind last year’s Jack and the Beanstalk.
Details: Saturday, December 9 to New Year’s Eve at the Assembly Hall Theatre in Tunbridge Wells. Tickets start from £17 and can be booked online here. You can also book by calling 01892 530613.
TRINITY THEATRE, Tunbridge Wells
The ultimate rags-to-riches fairytale, Cinderella, has been given a panto makeover and now features her best friend Buttons and the marvellous panto dame. However, lots of the story’s beloved moments still make an appearance in this festive show, including the handsome prince, the fairy godmother and Cinderella’s lost glass slipper.
Details: Saturday, December 9 to New Year’s Eve at the Trinity Theatre in Tunbridge Wells. Tickets start from £23 and can be booked online here. You can also book by calling 01892 678678.
SARAH THORNE THEATRE, Broadstairs
The Sarah Thorne Theatre is putting on its 12th annual pantomime this year and local families will be welcomed back to the seaside venue for another season full of Christmas cheer and kid-friendly fun.
This Christmas, the panto of choice is Sleeping Beauty. When the princess is cursed by a wicked witch and falls into a deep sleep that can only be broken by true love’s kiss, it’s up to her best friends, the handsome prince and the magical fairies to help wake her.
The show is set to make audiences of all ages smile with feel-good live music, a side-splitting script and a cast of professional actors who help make the characters sparkle with festive fun.
Details: Saturday, December 9 to New Year’s Eve at the Sarah Thorne Theatre in Broadstairs. Tickets start from £17 and can be booked online here. You can also book by calling 03336 664466.
SINDEN THEATRE, Tenterden
The clock is ticking for Cinderella as she must outsmart her wicked stepsisters, fall in love with Prince Charming and make it home before the stroke of midnight. The production, organised by SparkLive Pantomimes, is a cheerful spin on an old classic with lots of comedy, colourful scenery and boos and hisses galore.
Details: Thursday, December 14 to New Year’s Eve at the Sinden Theatre in Tenterden. Tickets start from £14.50 and can be booked online here. You can also book by calling 01580 763826.
MALTHOUSE THEATRE, Canterbury
There’s another panto in town in Canterbury this Christmas, and it’s the fairest of them all. You guessed it, Snow White is the Malthouse Theatre’s festive production this year and it’s full of impressive sets, costumes, music and even a few special effects. The cast is brimming with theatre pros who can’t wait to make you laugh, sing, cheer and boo this December.
Details: Thursday, December 14 to New Year’s Day at the Malthouse Theatre in Canterbury. Tickets start from £18 and can be booked online here. You can also book by calling 01227 287234.
GRANVILLE THEATRE, Ramsgate
You are royally invited to be a guest at this year’s Granville Theatre panto, Beauty and the Beast. The cast includes a star turn from Hollyoaks and Holby City actor Jeremy Edwards who will be spending Christmas by the Kent coast to entertain Thanet’s theatre-goers.
Also performing in the festive production will be local favourite Jezo, who is returning to the theatre for his seventh year, and panto legend Dave Short as Dame Darcy Derrière. The spellbinding experience will feature slapstick comedy, thrilling adventure and fabulous costumes.
There will also be relaxed showings for those who feel more comfortable in a more laid-back atmosphere but still want to enjoy all the fun of the panto.
Details: Friday, December 15 to New Year’s Eve at the Granville Theatre in Ramsgate. Tickets start from £23.10 and can be booked online here. You can also book by calling 02072 061174.
RYLANCE THEATRE, Ashford
There’s an all-singing, all-dancing show coming to Ashford this Christmas. This year, you shall go to the ball if you book a ticket to see the dazzling Cinderella panto at the town’s Rylance Theatre.
The production boasts a stellar cast, including Robbie White, who you might recognise from smash hit Netflix show Heartstopper. Robbie will be performing alongside panto favourites Holly Harvey, who will return to play the show’s leading lady, Charley Byrne as Dandini and Josh Boorer as Buttons.
The show promises great gags for the kids, as well as some cheeky jokes for the grown ups, and sing-along classics that will get the whole family on their feet. The panto comes from the team at Blue Phoenix Productions, who have put on some great shows in Ashford in previous years.
Details: Friday, December 15 to Saturday, December 30 at the Rylance Theatre in Ashford. Tickets start from £15 and can be booked online here. You can also book by calling 01233 367399.
ASTOR THEATRE, Deal
If you want to wait until the week leading up to Christmas before heading to the panto for that ultimate festive feeling, the Astor Theatre’s Red Riding Hood opens just a few days before you sit down for your turkey dinner.
The show is a real community effort and brings together local performers and creatives, as well as a team of theatre experts, to produce this heart-warming show, written and directed by Mig Kimpton. Audiences can follow Little Red into the forest and help her escape the wicked Mr Wolf before he gets too hungry.
The panto introduces a few new characters, such as the fairy and the dame, to this well-known story, but there’s still lots of nostalgia, traditions and family fun to be had at this Christmas show.
Details: Thursday, December 21 to Saturday, January 6 at the Astor Theatre in Deal. Tickets start from £20 and can be booked online here. You can also book by calling 01304 370220.
