It's time to pop to a pantomime and make Christmas in and around Bury St Edmunds a fun time
Sleeping Beauty
The Theatre Royal is pleased to announce family favourite, Sleeping Beauty as their Christmas pantomime this year which is directed by Karen Simpson, written by Chris Hannon and produced by the Theatre Royal Bury St Edmunds. As well as welcoming several new names to their cast, there will be some familiar faces too. This year’s dame, Nanny Fanny will be played by returning audience-favourite, Chris Clarkson. Also returning is Britt Lenting and Oliver Mawdsley. Sleeping beauty tells the story of Princess Aurora, who, as a new-born baby, was cursed by the evil fairy Carabosse. On the day of her 16th birthday, Aurora will prick her finger on a spinning wheel and die! Will Nanny Fanny, King Edmund and Grub the kitchen boy be able to protect the un-suspecting princess? Will Fairy Fortune find a way to defeat her sister, the wicked Carabosse? And what part does the dashing Prince Florin have to play? Head to the medieval kingdom of Burytonia for magic, mayhem and more. You will meet jousting knights, mythical beasts and take a journey beneath the earth. Most importantly you’ll discover if love really can conquer all. It is certainly set to be an evening of laughter for all the family.
Dates: Friday, November 30, 2018 – Sunday, January 13, 2019
Price: from £10.50
Theatre Royal, Bury St Edmunds IP33 1QR
Tel: (01284) 769505
theatreroyal.org
Cinderella
The classic fairytale sees Cinderella made to live below stairs by her step family after the death of her father, but will she be rescued from her life of drudgery by her prince and will they live happily ever after.
With some special ingredients – sparkling sets, energetic song and dance routines and beautiful costumes, it will serve up a generous helping of pantomime magic,including a special appearance from two Shetland ponies.
Dates: Friday, November 30, 2018 – Sunday,
January 6, 2019
Price: £23, £20 concession
Civic Theatre, Chelmsford
Tel: (01245) 606505
chelmsford.gov.uk/theatres
Jack and The Beanstalk
The Ellesmere Devils Pantomime Society’s 20th anniversary production promises to be “a very cheesy pantomime” when it takes to the stage in the new year.
Dates: Wednesday, January 23 – Saturday, January 26, 2019
Price: from £7.50
The Ellesmere Centre, Stetchworth CB8 9TS
ticketsource.co.uk/EDPS
Box office open December 1 and January 5, 10.30am-noon
Jack and The Beanstalk
Enjoy the laughter, sparkle and excitement as Jack takes on the giant living in a castle in the sky having grown a soaring beanstalk from some magic beans.
Will Jack make his fortune? Will he make his Mum proud of him again? And will the family ever be reunited with their beloved cow Daisy?
Dates: Saturday, November 24, 2018 – Sunday,
January 20, 2019
Price: from £12
Mercury Theatre, Balkerne Gate, Colchester, CO1 1PT
Call (01206) 573948
mercurytheatre.co.uk
Robin Hood
A family feast of fun as a tale of heroes and villains, love, romance and adventure comes to Sudbury.
Not many people know Maid Marion was a local lass nor that the wicked Sheriff of Nottingham and his evil mother had designs on her fair county but – oh, yes they did! Will Robin and his merry men foil their dastardly plans? Not without help from a punky fairy, some local wildlife and the audience.
Dates: Friday, December 15, 2018 – Monday, January 16, 2019
Price: £12, under 16 £9
Quay Theatre, Quay Lane, Sudbury
CO10 2AN
Tel: (01787) 374745
quaysudbury.com
Aladdin
The most thrilling pantomime adventure of them all returns to Cambridge this Christmas, as Aladdin flies into the Arts Theatre. Starring Wayne Sleep, Liza Goddard, Matt Crosby, Suzie Mathers, Andy Abraham, Holly Easterbrook and Max Fulham, it’s certainly set to be a good one. Aladdin and his family dream of a better life filled with riches and adventure, far away from the humdrum of their daily life in the backstreets of Peking. When a mysterious stranger offers untold riches in return for helping him find a magic lamp, Aladdin can’t believe his luck! His head filled with dreams of money and marrying beautiful princesses, Aladdin sets off on an adventure that will change his life, and fortunes, forever. . . Don’t miss this GENIE-us production of the timeless classic pantomime, brought to you with Cambridge Arts Theatre’s trademark blend of sing-a-long tunes, spectacular dance routines, dazzling costumes and laugh-out-loud jokes guaranteed to have you rolling in the aisles, whether you’re three... or 93!
Dates: Thursday, November 29, 2018 – Sunday, January 6, 2019
Price: from £18
Cambridge Arts Theatre,
Cambridge CB2 3PJ
Tel: (01223) 503333w
cambridgeartstheatre.com
The Lock In ‘Christmas Carol’
Join the BBC award-winning team for a gig, dance show and panto all in one for the very best festive live music, song and dance featuring The Demon Barbers! It’s Christmas Eve and the regulars of The Olde Fighting Cocks are excited about the night ahead, it’s going to be the folk and hip-hop dance party of the year! To their dismay the landlady, Jasmineezer Scrooge, has more profitable ambitions and is preparing to launch her new business, the ‘Oompah Techno Bar’! Cheap alco-pops, luminous lighting and mind-numbing bass beats are all in danger of alienating the local community and ruining Christmas! Fortunately, some insightful souls are at hand to lead her back to her senses.
Date: Monday, December 10
Price: £19
The Apex, Charter Square, Bury St Edmunds IP33 3FD
Tel: (01284) 758000
theapex.co.uk
Dick Whittington
Dick Whittington is a classic tale of rags to riches; bursting with romance, comedy and evil ratty villains. Come and join the adventures of Dick, Fairy Bow Bells, Dame Sarah Suet, Alderman Fitzwarren, Alice, King Rat and of course Tommy the Cat this Christmas at Haverhill Arts Centre. Starring TV funny man, Bobby Dazzler, veteran TV, stage and panto Magician Des King, and West End star Lloyd Notice as King Rat, the baddie who is intent on ensnaring Alice and preventing Dick from becoming Lord Mayor. Another family pantomime with guaranteed laughter.
Dates: Friday, December 21 – Monday, December 31, 2018
Price: from £12.50
Haverhill Arts Centre, High Street, Haverhill CB9 8AR
Tel: (01440) 714140
haverhillartscentre.co.uk
Cinderella
It’s time to Shake a Tail Feather and head Downtown to Ipswich Town Hall to meet the Mayor, Baron Hardup!
The New Wolsey has Cinderella rockin’ and a rollin’ for this panto season. It’s not easy being Mayor, with Prince Charming due in town for a Royal visit and a staff of only two – his beautiful, feisty daughter, Cinderella, and the loyal and loveable Buttons. But when his lonely hearts ad is answered by the mysterious Rubella De Zees, who brings along her two dangerous daughters Hernia and Verruca, it seems he’s far more than Three Steps to Heaven. Thankfully, there’s a Fairy Godmother to make sure Cinderella is ready to Rock Around The Clock!
Dates: Thursday, November 29, 2018 – Saturday, February 2, 2019
Price: from £10
New Wolsey Theatre, Civic Drive, Ipswich IP1 2AS
Tel: (01473) 295900
wolseytheatre.co.uk
Jack and The Beanstalk
The Trott family are down on their luck – they’ve got no money to pay the rent and the only thing they have left to sell is their beloved cow, Daisy. Poor old Dame Trott cannot believe what her son, Jack, brings back in exchange for the cow – but what might seem like a bag of old beans could just be the start of a new adventure for
the Trott Family! Featuring a live
band, spectacular sets, stunning costumes and a cast of seasoned professionals – there really is no better home for family pantomime in East Cambridgeshire!
Dates: Friday, December 14
2018 – Wednesday, January 2, 2019
Price: from £12.50
The Maltings, Ship Lane,
Ely, CB7 4BB
Tel: (01353) 725026
kdtheatre.co.uk
Snow White
Snow White is another traditional pantomime which tells the story of princess Snow White and her evil stepmother who relies on her magic mirror to tell her how beautiful she is. That is until Snow White reaches 16 and the mirror tells a different story. Filled with jealousy the wicked Queen instructs her Huntsman to get rid of Snow White in the enchanted forest where a scary beast is said to roam. This then leaves the plotting Queen free to marry the young Prince William who is visiting their kingdom. Not all is lost however as the Palace Cook Dame Dumpling and her son Stu Dumpling look out for Snow White and go looking for her. Of course, we all know Snow White is fine as she has befriended the 7 dwarves. All of this is being looked over by the magical Fairy Crystal who makes sure everything goes to plan! This panto is full of lots of fun, slapstick and great characters making it suitable for all ages.
Dates: Friday, January 12 – Saturday,
January 20, 2019
Price: £12 or £10 concession
Kings Theatre, Fitzroy Street, Newmarket
CB8 0JW
Tel: (01638) 663337
nomadskingstheatre.com
Aladdin
Take a mystical magic carpet ride to Norwich where Steven Roberts from Hollyoaks and the History Boys takes on the title role aiming to outwit the evil Abanazar, played by Emmerdale and Casualty star Rik Makarem.
Set in the Far East, expect dazzling costumes, a stunning set, mischievous fun, and entertainment for all the family.
Dates: Wednesday, December 12, 2018 – Sunday, Janaury 13, 2019
Price: from £10
Theatre Royal, Norwich NR2 1RL
Tel: (01603) 630000
secure.theatreroyalnorwich.co.uk
