Stratford East unveils 2026 pantomime

Stratford East has announced its pantomime for Christmas 2026, Robin Hood and the Merry Mandem, a new production that reworks the familiar story through an East London lens.

The pantomime is written by BAFTA-nominated writer Yolanda Mercy, whose previous work includes Queenie and Failure Project, and directed by Jade Lewis, an Olivier Award winner and Stratford East’s associate artistic director. Mercy and Lewis previously collaborated on Quarter Life Crisis at the Bridge Theatre. Casting and further creative details are yet to be revealed, with the show playing from 21 November 2026 to 2 January 2027.

Stratford East is currently presenting its 2025 pantomime Mama Goose, which runs until Saturday 3 January.

A plethora of other venues have also confirmed their 2026 pantomimes, including the Mayflower in Southampton with Ashley Banjo and Diversity in Robin Hood, Belgrade Theatre’s Beauty and the Beast, written by and starring Iain Lauchlan, Derby Arena with Snow White, Perth Theatre’s Sleeping Beauty, Theatre Royal Plymouth with Cinderella, and New Wimbledon Theatre with Peter Pan. Elaine C Smith and Johnny Mac will be appearing in King’s Theatre Glasgow’s Aladdin, while Nottingham Playhouse will also present Aladdin.