Top 5 Pantos This Christmas

As much a part of Christmas as mince pies, catching a panto is now an integral part of the build up to Christmas for most families with young children. There’s literally one in every town, usually more, and with so many productions to choose from it can be hard to decide which one to see. So if you’re in a panto predicament this festive season, here’s Belle’s top 5 panto picks in and around London right now. 

• Aladdin at Theatre Royal Windsor, 32 Thames St, Windsor SL4 1PS

29th November to 12th January 2020

Hop on a magical carpet ride to see Theatre Royal Windsor’s panto adaptation of Aladdin. Full of comedy capers, dazzling dancers, and colourful costumes, we were wowed by the star cast, headed up by stage and screen star Paul Nicholas as well as the little fox with the big laugh, Basil Brush.

Standout stars of the show are calamitous comedy duo Kevin Cruise and Steven Blakeley – currently celebrating their 10th year in panto together at the historic theatre in the centre of Windsor, right opposite the castle. This production follows the tale of Aladdin’s quest to fetch a major lamp and eventually win the heart of Princess Jasmine. If you’re a big fan of the Disney classic, then prepare for some changes. For starters, it’s not set somewhere in the Middle East but in China. And Aladdin is not an orphan, he does, of course, have a colourful mother named Widow Twankey. 

There are plenty of timely references – to Donald Trump and the upcoming General Election – but despite the odd tweak here and there, the production endears families to Aladdin as he makes his fortune by outwitting the wicked Abanazar (Paul Nicholas) with the help of the magical Genie of the Lamp. There’s lots of audience participation – most scenes involve an element of audience interaction – and the stunning set also helps push the story along and moves effortlessly from scene to scene. The show is well executed and timed brilliantly. A relaxed performance for those who may have specific needs is scheduled for January 9th.

Next up…

• White Christmas at Dominion Theatre, Tottenham Court Road, London W1T 7AQ 

16th Nov 2019 to 4th Jan 2020 

Catch Irving Berlin’s feel-good family musical, starring Danny Mac as Bob Wallace and Dan Burton as Phil Davis. Both reprise their acclaimed roles following the successful run at Curve, Leicester. 

• Sleeping Beauty at Greenwich Theatre, Crooms Hill, London SE10 8ES 

22nd Nov 2019 to 5th Jan 2020 

Andrew Pollard returns to the tale of the princess put to sleep by a wicked curse – the first pantomime that he performed in at Greenwich Theatre, back in 2006 – but with more than a few added twists. 

• Goldilocks and The Three Musketeers at Battersea Arts Centre, Lavender Hill, London SW11 5TN 

30th Nov 2019 to 31st Dec 2019 

As Goldilocks stumbles down a rabbit hole to escape, she finds herself in Wonderland! Here she teams up with The Three Musketeers and a whole host of fairy tale favourites. 

• Jack And The Beanstalk at Theatre Peckham, 221 Havil Street, London, SE5 7SD 

4th Dec 2019 to 22nd Dec 2019 

This festive pantomime is a wonderful coming of age tale where Jack learns to make up for the mistakes he has made and strives to do good for his family. Set in inner city London this play channels influences from the electric 80s.