Pantos at theatres across Kent this Christmas and how to get tickets

by Angela Cole

The thrill of live performances is back in theatres across the county, and Christmas costumes, props and scripts are being prepared ahead of panto season.

As we begin to think of festive treats, we take a look at pantos to look forward to at Kent's theatres.

The cast of Jack and the Beanstalk at the Marlowe Theatre

Marlowe Theatre, Canterbury

Tickets are on sale for this year’s show, Jack and the Beanstalk, continuing the hugely successful partnership with Evolution. It will feature former singer with Blue, Duncan James, and Marlowe panto favourite Ben Roddy and be written and directed by Paul Hendy. It will run from Friday, November 26 until Sunday, January 9, 2022. Book tickets online at marlowe.theatre.com

Assembly Hall Theatre, Tunbridge Wells

Theatre bosses have signed up to partner with Evolution Productions for Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs and announced Strictly head judged Shirley Ballas will play the Wicked Queen. The show will run from Friday, December 17 until Monday, January 3, 2022 and be written by Evolution’s Paul Hendy with direction from the theatre’s JJ Almond. Tickets are on sale at assemblyhalltheatre.co.uk

Christopher Biggins will be back on the stage at the Orchard Theatre panto in Dartford this Christmas. Picture: Orchard Theatre

Orchard Theatre, Dartford

Panto legend Christopher Biggins will lead the cast after last year's postponement. He appeared at the Churchill Theatre in Bromley in 2019. The show is due to run from Saturday, December 11 until Sunday, January 2, 2022. Tickets are on sale at orchardtheatre.co.uk

Gravesend favourite Mama G (Aka: Robert Pearce) in last year's production at the Woodville

The Woodville, Gravesend

Wicked Productions are back with Robin Hood, with Gravesend favourite Robert Pearce as Dame Tuck; ventriloquist Nicky Trix as Silly Willy Scarlett and Rob Cummings as the dastardly Sheriff of Nottingham. It runs from Friday, December 3 to Monday, January 3. Book at woodville.co.uk

Hazlitt Theatre, Maidstone

Jack And The Beanstalk promises to be a giant of a family pantomime, featuring fairytales, poor hero Jack and his dotty mum Dame Trott. It runs at the Earl Street theatre from Saturday, November 27 to Sunday, January 2, 2022. Buy tickets online at parkwoodtheatres.co.uk

The cast of Sleeping Beauty at the Churchill Theatre

Churchill Theatre, Bromley

This year’s show, Sleeping Beauty, is aiming to be the pantomime of your dreams. It stars Bonnie Langford, Lee Mead, and Lloyd Hollett and will run from Saturday, December 4 to Sunday, January 2, 2022. Book at churchilltheatre.co.uk

The cast of the Sevenoaks Panto streamed live to theatre fans last year but will be on stage this year

Stag Theatre, Sevenoaks

The popular panto team are back with The Pirates of Treasure Island starring Ant Payne and Jamie Alexander Wilson as Silly Billy Bones and Mrs Smollett, and Ru Paul’s Drag Race star Vinegar Strokes. The show will run from Friday, December 10 to Sunday, January 2, 2022. Book tickets at sevenoakspanto.com

EM Forster Theatre, Tonbridge

Wicked Productions will be staging the family show Rapunzel with Tom Swift as Joey the Jester with Amanda Swift playing the wicked Horrorbella who casts a spell on young Rapunzel. The show runs from Friday, December 10 to Sunday, January 2, 2022. For tickets call 01732 304241 or go to emftheatre.com.

Theatre Royal Margate

Wicked Productions will be bringing Robin Hood to the theatre for some well-needed fun from Thursday, December 16 until Sunday, January 2, 2022. Tickets are on sale now. Book at margate-live.com.

For more suggestions of things to do with the kids visit www.mykentfamily.co.uk