Five Of The Best – The London Panto Season Returns Soon

We’re not quite there yet, but in December the theatre scene in London takes on a slightly less serious tone when venues large and small put on their pantomimes. Pantos are a great way to introduce younger members of the family to the theatre with their outrageous characters and laugh-a-minute scripts.

Here’s the lowdown on five of the best pantomimes doing the rounds in London this year – several of the theatres listed here have been putting on annual runs for decades but there’s a complete newcomer at the end…

Dick Whittington & His Cat – Hackney Empire From 1 December – 6 January 2013

This grand old venue on Mare St in Hackney has a reputation for putting on the most lavish pantomime to be found anywhere in the capital. This tale about the rags-to-riches story about the man who would go on to become Lord Mayor of London follows convention with lots of girls playing boys and boys playing girls (always a recipe for hilarity). A strong cast features Joanna Riding as Dick, Steve Elias as Sarah the Cook, a magical Fairy Bowbells played by Rina Fatania and a whole host of other weird and wonderful characters.

Jack & The Beanstalk – Theatre Royal Stratford East From 1 December – 19 January 2013

In their own words, the theatre says that “the annual Stratford East panto doesn’t get quite the attention of its East End rival the Hackney Empire, but it’s usually a teensy bit better!”. Returning to the theatre for it’s first run since 2002, this sorry tale of cows and beans will feature the Stratford regulars in a colourful stage setting. If previous years are anything to go by there are likely to be two dames – one man playing a big-bottomed Jamaican mother and another playing an evil and vicious haridan. Previous years have had our sides aching from laughter by the interval – we can’t wait!

london panto 2012 theatre

Beauty & The Beast – Shaw Theatre From December 6 – 29

Better known for its serious output, the Shaw tackles the fairytale of the little girl who cohabits with an ugly beast in order to save her family. Alison Hammond from ITV’s ‘This Morning’, Rusty Goffe from the Harry Potter series and Corrie’s GP Oliver Mellor star in the production.

Aladdin: A Wish Come True – O2 From December 7 – January 5 2013

The Hackney Empire might not be ‘the most beautiful of them all’ this year, with the 1,900 capacity O2 on the Greenwich Peninsula putting on what will no doubt be a stupendous show about the hapless peasant boy and his genie. For the first time in many, many years Paul O’Grady will be donning a a dress and wig to appear as Lily Savage, the pantomime dame. I think you should start booking your tickets today – this one is bound to go like hotcakes!Cinderella: A Fairytale- St. James Theatre From December 12 – 26 January 2013. The St. James Theatre is the first purpose-built theatre to open in London for thirty years. After starting with a successful run of Sandi Toksvig’s Bully Boys and a musical coming soon, they’re switching gear for December with their own take on the tale of the young servant girl and her handsome prince.  A revival of the Travelling Light and Tobacco Factory show, this production will be taking on a serious approach to the pantomime genre – more traditional folk tale than slapstick comedy,  I’m sure that it will be a magical experience.

With affordable accommodation such as Travelodge providing some excellent deals, your trip to London for a theatre visit with the family doesn’t have to cost the Earth. Booking a room in advance can offer some even better early bird savings to ensure you have as much spare cash as possible to enjoy the capital.

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About Pete Stean

Pete Stean is a London-based writer and photographer. He can also be found on Twitter and on Google Plus.

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