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Panto Season Round-UpDate: 3 December 2011
PANTO UPDATE
Here is a panto-season round up of whats on offer around the region to entertain the little and not-so-little folk this festive season:-
Theatre Royal Plymouth
Cinderella
Friday 16 December 2011 – Saturday 21 January 2012
Comedian Julian Clary will be playing the role of Prince Charming’s servant Dandini, and is joined by guest stars Keith Harris (as Buttons), with Orville and Cuddles in this year’s un-missable Theatre Royal pantomime. Produced by Qdos entertainment, the world’s largest pantomime producer, it promises to be a fantastic treat for all the family!
Corn Exchange, Exeter
Dick Whittington and his Cat Save Christmas
Saturday 17 December 2011 – Sunday 8 January 2012
Directed by Exeter theatrical impresario Ian Trafford for Kickline Productions, Dick Whittington and his Cat at Exeter Corn Exchange combines all the elements that make for a sure-fire family hit: a cracking story, colourful sets and costumes, and slapstick comedy delivered impeccably by a seasoned cast. Headlining this year is Peter Duncan as King Rat. Locally born actor Daniel Oliver as Dick will try to stop King Rat and his henchrats from ruining Christmas for the good people of Exeter, ably assisted by Exeter - and probably Devon's - favourite panto dame, Steve Bennett as Sarah the Cook.
Hippodrome, Bristol
Peter Pan
Saturday 10 December 2011 – Sunday 8 January 2012
Knightrider, Baywatch and Britains Got Talent mega-star David Hasseloff will be playing Captain Hook in this mega-production of Peter Pan. Join Peter, Tinkerbell, the Lost Boys and the Darling family as they soar through the skies, encounter Captain Hook and discover the magic of Neverland at the Bristol Hippodrome this Christmas.
Tobacco Factory, Bristol
Cinderella, A Fairy Tale
Wednesday 7 December 2011 – Sunday 15 January 2012
The Tobacco Factory Theatre joins forces once again with acclaimed theatre company Travelling Light to create a sparkling Christmas delight for all the family. The creative team behind Ali Baba and the Forty Thieves and Bristol Old Vic’s Treasure Island bring you a brand new version of one of the oldest, best loved fairy tales of all time.
Theatre Royal, Bath
Dick Whittington
Thursday 15 December 2011 – Sunday 22 January 2012
Naomi Wilkinson one of children’s television’s best-loved presenters, and Mark Moraghan, well known for his long-running role in Holby City, star alongside Dame extraordinaire Chris Harris and Bath’s own Jon Monie in this year’s family pantomime. Bath has a long-established reputation for traditional, family pantomime, and following last year’s widely acclaimed show Aladdin, UK Productions return to present another exceptional seasonal treat perfect for children and adults alike.
The Everyman, Cheltenham
Jack and the Beanstalk
Saturday 3 December 2011 – Sunday 8 January 2012
This traditional show features familiar faces from previous record-breaking pantos including William Elliott as the Dame and Kelly Maybank as Jack. This year they are joined by Dynasty star Emma Samms, playing the Good Fairy.
Salisbury Playhouse
Jack and the Beanstalk
Wednesday 7 December 2011 – Saturday 7 January 2012
Loads of comedy, catchy songs, audience participation and a happy ending – plus glorious puppets specially created by the Playhouse’s Associate Company, Stuff and Nonsense. Ben Occhipinti, who directed sell-out Stage ’65 productions of The Boy Friend, Oliver! and The Wizard of Oz, now turns to panto with this colourful show for all the family.
The Lighthouse, Poole
Cinderella
Friday 9 December 2011 – Sunday 8 January 2012
Actor, comedian and CBBC presenter Ed Petrie, renowned by children across the country as one-half of wacky kids’ TV double-act Ed and Oucho, takes on the role of Buttons, and is joined by ‘Allo ‘Allo legend Guy Siner as the Baron and Last of the Summer Wine’s Sarah Thomas as Fairy Godmother. Promising a fabulous cast, amazing costumes, imaginative set-designs and live music, Cinderella will also feature real live Shetland Ponies and a brand new script by Julian Woolford.
Pavilion Theatre, Bournemouth
Jack and the Beanstalk
Saturday 3 December 2011 – Sunday 2 January 2012
This year’s Bournemouth pantomime features Debra Stephenson - currently starring in primetime television hit series The Impressions Show with Culshaw and Stephenson on BBC One – in the title role alongside Bournemouth favourite Chris Jarvis (CBeebies) – writing, starring and directing the Bournemouth Pavilion pantomime for the third consecutive year – and Brian Capron (Coronation Street’s bad boy Richard Hillman).
The Mayflower, Southampton
Peter Pan
Friday 9 December 2011 – Saturday 14 January 2012
The Mayflower Theatre is presenting a brand new version of Peter Pan this Christmas. The show stars Ex-Eastenders actress Lucy Benjamin as Mrs Darling, Daniel Boys as Peter, Les Dennis who takes on the role of pirate Smee, and the dashing Ben Richards as the dastardly Captain Hook. The enchanting tale of Peter Pan follows the boy who won’t grow up as he encounters the Darling family and takes them with him on his adventures through Neverland.
The Nuffield Theatre, Southampton
The Borrowers
Thursday 24 November 2011 – Sunday 8 January 2012
With music and jokes and field-mice, this magical tale comes from the author of Bedknobs and Broomsticks, and from the team behind 2010’s A Christmas Carol and 2009’s The Wind in the Willows - one of The Independent’s Top 5 Christmas Shows! Stars Julia Hills, David Alcock and Eleanor Yates as the diminutive adventurers.
- by Simon Cole
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