Pick of the pantos and Christmas shows
Oh no it isn't! Oh yes it is! The Muddy guide to the best pantomimes and Christmas shows in Somerset, Bath and Bristol
From good ol’ puns-a-plenty panto to thought-provoking modern takes on traditional tales, via some contemporary dance theatre – there’s something for everyone in our festive lucky dip…
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Snow White, Tobacco Factory Theatres, Bristol, Thurs 28 Nov – Sun 19 Jan 2020
Claire Haigh & Joe Roberts
New International Encounter’s (Beauty and the Beast, Hansel and Gretel) offbeat version of the Brothers Grimm fairy tale about growing up, growing old, growing your own food and why you should never trust a shiny red apple. Read our review.
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A Christmas Carol, Bristol Old Vic, Bristol, Thurs 28 Nov – Sun 12 Jan 2020
Dickens’ classic – Bristol Old Vic style – where a hard-hearted skinflint is transform into the living embodiment of the spirit of Christmas. Read our review.
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Boing! Bristol Old Vic, Bristol, Fri 29 Nov – Sun 5 Jan 2020
Exhilarating dance-theatre capturing the delirious excitement of two boys waiting for Father Christmas to arrive.
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Noisy Nativity, Tobacco Factory Theatres, Bristol, Weds 4 Dec – Sun 5 Jan 2020
Paul Blakemore
Silliness and fun for younger kids when Kid Carpet (aka Ed Patrick) puts on a school Christmas nativity with the help of the Noisy Animals and it all goes horribly wrong (but I’m guessing, ultimately, so very right).
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Cinderella, Merlin Theatre, Frome, Thurs 5 – Sat 14 Dec
A wicked stepmother and some ugly sisters (that’s them above) and a big ball at a palace, are all included in a modern day Ella’s mission to save a woodland and all the animals and birds within it at this community theatre production.
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Kirk vs Ming, Tobacco Factory Theatres, Bristol, Thurs 5 – Mon 30 Dec
Chris Collier
Not your usual Christmas fare : a subversive sci-fi/drag/comedy set in the outer space play by Bad vs Evil (Andrew Kingston and Harry Humberstone at the Wardrobe Theatre’s Oedipuss in Boots, Muppits Die Hard and Goldilock, Stock & Three Smoking Bears). The evil Ming wants to destroy the world but can Captain T. Kirk and his drag queen lieutenant, Mrs Dennis, stop him?
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Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs, The Octagon, Yeovil, Fri 6 Dec – Sun 5 Jan 2020
The old gang headed up by writer Paul Hendy returns with the ever popular trad Octagon panto, a show packed with songs, dancing, super sets and some genuinely funny jokes and puns.
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Aladdin, Tacchi-Morris, nr Taunton, Fri 6 – Sun 22 Dec
Aladdin’s flying into Taunton on his magic carpet.
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Rapunzel, the egg, Bath, Fri 6 Dec – Sun 12 Jan 2020
Let your hair down at the egg’s big Christmas show, where an orphaned baby rescued by an eccentric herbalist is confined to a tower to protect her from the prying eyes of the world. Age 7+
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Squirrel, Roper Room at the egg, Bath, Sat 7 – Sun 29 Dec
Snowy magic and puppetry mayhem ensures when Squirrel forgets the location of some buried acorns. Developed with the Paragon School. Suitable 6 months – 4 years.
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Cinderella, The Playhouse, Weston-super-Mare, Sat 7 – Tues 31 Dec
Ooh er, Linda Lusardi is the Wicked Queen here.
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Dick Whittington, Bristol Hippodrome, Bristol, Sat 7 Dec – Sun 5 Jan 2020
Shane Ritchie is the Dick seeking his fame and fortune and the gold chain of the Mayor of London via a battle with Queen Rat (Jennie Dale, Captain Captain from CBeebies Swashbuckle) and her rodents.
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The Railway Children, The Brewhouse, Taunton, Mon 9 – Mon 30 Dec
A re-telling of the heartwarming story but this time it’s set in Somerset. The Brewhouse’s Christmas shows are always really special, with standout sets and performances, real warmth and humour and there’s sure to be a tear or two shed at the end.
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Beauty & the Beast, Theatre Royal, Bath, Thurs 12 Dec – Sun 12 Jan 2020
Wendi Peters as Fairy Bon-Bon
A beautiful woman finds beauty is more than skin deep in Bath. This one won Best Panto Script in The Great British Pantomime Awards 2019. Starring Wendi Peters (Corrie), Jon Monie (Bath panto legend) and Nick Wilton (EastEnders).
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Cinderella, The McMillan Theatre, Bridgwater, Fri 20 – Mon 30 Dec
Rags to riches, classic panto.
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Snow Mouse, Roper Room at the egg, Bath, Thurs 2 Jan – Sun 2 Feb 2020
Another one for the really young (6months – 4 years), the egg and Travelling Light’s show about a child who finds a sleeping mouse in the snow and has marvellous musical adventures together.
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Hansel & Gretel, The Regal, Minehead, Fri 10 – Sat 18 Jan 2020
Magical traditional tale at the Minehead theatre.
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