Christmas panto guide 2016: Theatres in Kent and Medway
It wouldn't be Christmas without a pantomime. Oh no it wouldn't...
Assembly Hall Theatre, Tunbridge Wells
Friday, December 9 to Monday, January 2
Hi-De-Hi star Su Pollard takes on the role of the Wicked Queen in Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs at the theatre this Christmas. She will be joined by Jamie Rickers, a familiar face to young viewers of CiTV and Nickelodeon, and Jamie Steen as the over-the-top Nursie with Millie Booth as Snow White and Chris Warner Drake as Prince Charming.
Tickets cost £18 on opening night, and other performances from £23, children from £13.
For details visit assemblyhalltheatre.co.uk or call 01892 530613.
Astor Theatre, Deal
Wednesday, December 7 to Saturday, December 10
The Guild Players will stage the classic rags to riches story, Cinderella, adapted by Debbie Penfold, this Christmas. The family-friendly show features all the familiar characters including Buttons and Baron Hardup. The show is at 7.30pm Wednesday to Friday and 1pm and 5pm on the Saturday.
Tickets £13 and £9 for under 16s.
To book visit theastor.org or call 01304 370220.
Central Theatre, Chatham
Thursday, December 8 to Saturday, December 31.
This year's pantomime, Jack and the Beanstalk, stars Olympic ice skater Robin Cousins, Graham Cole, best known as PC Tony Stamp in police drama The Bill and Hollyoaks actor, Joe Tracini, son of comedian Joe Pasquale who lives in Higham. It will be the third year Jordan Productions have produced the theatre's panto, with last year's being seen by 25,500 people.
Tickets from £15.
To book call 01634 338338 or go to medwayticketslive.co.uk
Churchill Theatre, Bromley
Friday, December 9 to Saturday, January 7
Craig Revel Horwood stars as Captain Hook in the swashbuckling family panto, Peter Pan, with comedy, stunning sets, fabulous costumes and pantomime magic.
Tickets from £18.
To book, visit churchilltheatre.co.uk or call 020 3285 6000.
Hazlitt Theatre, Maidstone
Friday, December 2 to Monday, January 2.
The classic tale Sleeping Beauty will star former EastEnder Louisa Lytton, who played Ruby Allen in the show, this festive season. Joining her will be Maidstone’s own Bethany Black, who went to Invicta Grammar School, as the Evil Queen.
Tickets from £12.
To book, visit parkwoodtheatres.co.uk or call 01622 758611.
Leas Cliff Hall, Folkestone
Wednesday, December 21 to Saturday, January 7.
Jack and the Beanstalk by CT Productions promises to be a giant of a panto with the story of a poor family, a cow that’s sold at market for magic beans, that lead Jack on an adventure bigger than he ever could have imagined.
Tickets from £16.40.
To book visit atgtickets.com
Marlowe Theatre, Canterbury
Friday, November 25 to Sunday, January 8
Catchphrase presenter Stephen Mulhern returns to the theatre for this year's show, Dick Whittington, joining Marlowe favourites, Ben Roddy and Lloyd Hollett and also Vladimir Georgievsky from Britain's Got Talent. The show comes from Paul Hendy and Evolution for another year, after last year's record-breaking show, and promises to be the biggest and best panto yet.
Tickets from £12.
To book call 01227 787787 or visit marlowetheatre.com.
Orchard Theatre, Dartford
Saturday, December 10 to Saturday, December 31.
Higham-based comedian Joe Pasquale will be among the stars at the Orchard Theatre's pantomime, Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs. The show by Qdos Entertainment, features Joe as Muddles, with seasoned Dame Ceri Dupree and Rachel Stanley, who grew up in Gravesend, as the Wicked Queen, with some 3D effects, costumes and music.
Tickets from £18.
To book visit orchardtheatre.com or call 01322 220000.
Stag Theatre, Sevenoaks
Friday, December 2 to Sunday, January 8
Sleeping Beauty stars Ricky Norwood, best known for his role as Fatboy in EastEnders as the Jester and pop trio Cleopatra as the Good Fairies.
Tickets from £25.
To book call 01732 450175 or go to sevenoakspanto.com or stagsevenoaks.co.uk
Swallows Leisure Centre, Sittingbourne
Friday, December 16 to Christmas Eve
Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs features EastEnders’ Joshua Pascoe, best known for his role as Ben Mitchell, Kate Greenwood as Snow White, Coronation Street’s Steven Arnold as the voice and image of the Magic Mirror and Sheerness’ own Robert Brendan as Prince Lorenzo.
Tickets from £6.50.
To book call 01795 420420, call into the leisure centre, or visit sittingbournepanto.co.uk For more details visit swaleleisure.com
Theatre Royal, Margate
Saturday, December 10 to Saturday, December 31
Wicked Productions return with the high flying Peter Pan, with firm favourite Jezo as the hilarious pirate Smee and Rob Cummings as Captain Hook.
Tickets from £11.
To book visit theatreroyalmargate.com or call 01843 292795.
Tower Theatre, Folkestone
Thursday, December 15 to Christmas Eve
This year’s Folkestone-Hythe Operatic and Dramatic Society (FHODS) pantomime is Cinderella, set in the mid winter in a snowy climate.
Tickets £14.
To book call 01303 223925 or visit towertheatrefolkestone.co.uk
Trinity Theatre, Tunbridge Wells
Thursday, December 15 to Monday, January 2
The magical musical version of Rodgers and Hammerstein's Cinderella will feature a live orchestra and all the classic moments including the pumpkin, the glass slipper and the masked ball. Songs include Impossible and In My Own Little Corner.
Tickets from £15.50 to Wednesday, December 21 and from £16.50 from Thursday, December 22.
To book go to trinitytheatre.net or call 01892 678678.
The Woodville, Gravesend
Friday, December 9 to Monday, January 2
Singer-songwriter and former Blue member Antony Costa will play Fleshcreep in Jack and The Beanstalk and will be joined by Olivier Award-winning West End actress Leanne Jones, who lives in Gravesend and is best known for her performance as Tracy Turnblad in Hairspray. The Voice finalist Jaz Ellington will make his panto debut as King Crumble, and topping the cast off is panto duo Payne and Pearce.
To book visit woodville.co.uk or call 08442 439480.
Let us know about your panto, by emailing mykentfamily@thekmgroup.co.uk
