Who doesn’t love this golden opportunity to cheer the hero, boo the villain and laugh at the Dame’s crazy costumes and corny jokes.
Soap stars and music heroes letting their hair on stage are the icing on the Christmas cake.
Now regarded by many as a British tradition, pantomime’s roots lie in ancient Greece. The art form was later adopted in Italy and France before UK audiences took it to their hearts. John Rich, a dancer, acrobat and mime artist, is believed to have laid the foundations for panto in England in the18th century.
5. Mansfield
Beauty and the Beast is the pantomime at Mansfield's Palace Theatre, opening on November 25 and running until December 31, 2023. Children's television royalty Dani Harmer, best known for her role as Tracy Beaker in the CBBC series of the same name, plays Belle. Comedian Adam Moss returns to the Mansfield panto stage in the part of Louis La Plonk and Pantomime Awards 2022 winner Nic Gibney is cast as the dame Polly La Plonk. Tickets from £22 (adult), £19.50 (child). Book online at https://mansfieldpalacetheatre.ticketsolve.com Photo: Submitted
6. Sheffield
Beauty And The Beast will be roaring into the Lyceum Theatre, Sheffield from December 8, 2023 to January 7, 2024. Duncan James from the boy band Blue stars as Danton and Jennie Dale (CBeebies' Swashbuckle) as Cupid. Legendary panto dame Damian Williams returns in the guise of Madame Bellie Fillop. Tickets from £15, go to www.sheffieldtheatres.co.uk Photo: Vox Multimedia Ltd
7.
Families will have a ball at Nottingham Playhouse where Cinderella will run from December 1, 2023 to January 13, 2024. Long-term pantomime dame John Elkington joins forces with Tom Hopcroft as the surly sisters Violet and Rose, Jewelle Hutchinson plays CInderella and Danny Hendrix is Buttons. Tickets from £18.50, go to www.nottinghamplayhouse.co.uk Photo: Nottingham Playhouse
8. Nottingham
Dick Whittington is heading for Nottingham's Theatre Royal from December 9, 2023 to January 14, 2024. Shane Richie, who is best known as Alfie Moon from EastEnders, plays the title role and children's BAFTA winner Dr Ranj takes on the part of Spirit of Bow Bells.Tickets from £19.50. Book online at www.trch.co.uk or call 0115 989 5555. Photo: Tom Platinum Morley