Christmas wouldn’t be complete without taking the kids to see a panto. This year there are lots of great pantomimes on stages around the North West. Here are my top picks.
Blackburn
Many years ago lived a very determined and ambitious young boy called Richard Whittington, known as Dick to all his friends. Believing that all the roads in London were paved with gold he decided to travel there and claim his fortune. Will it be all he expected?
Stageworks Worldwide Productions return to King George’s Hall this December for their take on the classic tale of Dick Whittington.
Show info
Venue: King George’s Hall, Blackburn
Runs: 8th – 31st December
Cost: adults £14, kids £11, discounts available
Preston
Don’t you just hate it when you have to sell the family cow and all you get in return are a handful of beans?
Follow Jack’s familiar story at Preston Guild Hall – it’s set to be hilarious!
Show info
Venue: Preston Guild Hall
Runs: 12th December – 5th January
Cost: adults £19.50, kids £16, discounts available
Bury
A musical theatre version of this classic brother and sister tale of adventure and magic where we’ll have you humming along throughout and cheering as the witch slides down into our flaming oven. This panto is set to be one of the first events held at The Met once it’s huge refurbishment is complete.
Venue: The Met, Bury
Runs: 22nd – 24th December
Cost: all tickets £10
Liverpool
Cinderella is forced to live as a slave in Hardup Hall, looking after her evil step sisters ‘Britney and Witney’ who have recently been to Ibiza!
On the day that invitations arrive to the Royal ball at the castle, held by Prince Charming, Cinderella dreams of attending the ball and dancing with the Prince. But the horrid sisters have other ideas and wickedly tear up her invitation!!!….
But all is not lost! With the help of her bestest friend in the whole wide world ‘Buttons’ and her magical Fairy Godmother along with a fabulous team of helpers, Cinderella does go to the ball… But she needs to be home by midnight or her true identity will be revealed!
Show info
Venue: Epstein Theatre, Liverpool
Runs: 13th December
Cost: adults £12.50 kids £10, discounts available
Manchester
Can the loveable but whacky inventor, Potts, along with his two children and the gorgeous Truly Scrumptious outwit the bombastic Baron Bomburst who has decreed that all children be banished from his kingdom? What happens when the children are caught and imprisoned with the other youngsters by the evil Childcatcher? Will it all end happily-ever-after? Well, of course it will!
Show info
Venue: The Lowry Theatre, Manchester
Runs: 6th December – 15th January
Cost: £45.00
Do you take the kids to a panto each year? Which is your favourite?