Top Ten London Pantos

With the festive season fast approaching, one traditional Christmas entertainment treat, the Panto, also returns to entertain young and old alike. Yes it can be camp and crazy with ex soap stars and C-list celebs treading the boards in fancy costumes and belting out cheesy sing-a-long songs, but it’s as British as Churchill and as traditional as Christmas pud – plus it can be pretty good fun! So, go on, indulge in some magical mayhem this Christmas.


Cinderella
The Old Vic
The Cut
London SE1 8NB

4 December 2007 to 20 January 2008

The Old Vic panto is back with a witty new version of Cinderella written by writer, actor and comedian Stephen Fry. Pauline Collins (Shirley Valentine) returns to the West End stage to star as the Fairy Godmother in a twist on the usual tale. There will be passion, jealousy, cross-dressing, injustice, chocolate, madness, cruelty, music, but most importantly of all, love. Oh and cake! A must see for all.


Dick Whittington
Fairfield Halls
Ashcroft Theatre
Park Lane
Croydon CR9 1DG

7 December 2007 to 6 January 2008

Celebrity X Factor winner Lucy Benjamin joins the team at Fairfield for this year’s Christmas panto. It’s all about ol' Dick Whittingtons journey to London with his trusty feline friend Tommy the Cat. Can he defeat the evil King Rat, make the beautiful Alice Fitzwarren his girl, make his fortune and become Mayor of London with just a head full of bells and heart full of dreams? Find out by heading down to Croydon for some toe-topping tunes and a lively cast.


Snow White and The Seven Dwarfs
New Wimbledon Theatre
The Broadway, Wimbledon
SW19 1QG

7 December 2007 to 20 January 2008

Mirror mirror on the wall, who is the fairest of them all? Wimbledon can watch as the Wicked Queen tries her hardest to woo the Prince away from Snow White, and journey deep into the magical forest to meet seven loveable dwarfs. Starring Ex-EastEnder Ross Kemp as the villainous henchman, Bobby Davro as Muddles, Warwick Davis (from Harry Potter) as Doc and the lovely Aimie Atkinson (Radio 2 Voice of the Year winner) as Snow White. Wimbledon is known for its top-notch pantos, so well worth a visit for the SW19-ers.

Jack and the Beanstalk
The Barbican Centre
Silk Street
EC2Y 8DS

1 December 2007 to 12 January 2008

Jack and the Beanstalk is the panto of choice for The Barbican this Christmas. City dwellers can head to Silk Street to watch a tale of beans and giants, starring blonde bombshell Suzanne Shaw (ex-Hear'say) as Princess Melody, alongside popular comic actors Mel Giedroyc (Mel and Sue) as Fairy Liquid and Steve Furst (Little Britain). And if that is not enough to entice you, save some pennies as the kids go half price at every performance.


A Christmas Carol
The Rayne Theatre
Chicken Shed
Southgate
N14 4PE

3 December 2007 to 12 January 2008

Chickenshed, the renowned theatre company in North London, is performing A Christmas Carol – a story which will transport audiences to Victorian London to witness the transformation of Scrooge from a tight fisted, penny pinching miser to a kind hearted, all round good egg. And accompanying Scrooge will be the well-loved Cratchit family, a spectrum of ghosts and a host of London characters. The first performance has been generously funded by The John Thaw Foundation, a charity that John Thaw set up before he died to help young people.


Peter Pan
New Victoria Theatre
The Ambassadors, Peacocks Centre
Woking, GU21 6GQ

7 December 2007 to 13 January 2008

The legendary Henry Winkler (aka The Fonz) stars as Captain Hook in this journey into Neverland. Also starring Clare Buckfield (Dancing on Ice) as Peter Pan and Andy Collins as Smee, audiences can join Peter, Wendy and the Lost Boys in their attempts to save Tinkerbell from the villainous Captain Hook and their crew of dastardly pirates. There is talk of stunning special effects (including some impressive flying), sumptuous costumes and superb sets down in Woking. But, most importantly, it’s The Fonz as Hook – fantastic!


The Snowman
The Peacock Theatre
Portugal Street
WC2A 2HT 

5 December 2007 to 6 January 2008

This delightful version of Raymond Briggs' tale returns for the tenth year of performing at the Peacock Theatre and the twenty-fifth anniversary of the animated film version. When a young boy's snowman comes to life on Christmas Eve, the two set off on a night-time quest for adventure, and on their travels, they meet dancing penguins, reindeer and, of course, Father Christmas. Suitable for all children aged two and upwards, audience members are treated to a live orchestra and a show like this is a fabulous introduction to dance for the very young.


Aladdin
South London Theatre
2a Norwood High Street,
SE27 9NS

3 December 2007 to 16 December 2007

South London's biggest and brightest pantomime comes courtesy of the South London Theatre - a large, well-established, repertory-style non-professional theatre and a member of the Little Theatre Guild of Great Britain. With a short run until mid December, this production of Aladdin is promising audiences a jam-packed and entertaining production of the classic tale – watch local thespians sparkle on stage as they join Aladdin in his quest to find the lamp.


Cinderella
Richmond Theatre
The Green, Richmond,
TW9 1QJ

7 December 2007 to 20 January 2008

Cinderella really is Pantoland’s ultimate rags to romance fairy tale, isn’t it? And with Richmond’s version starring Nigel Havers as The Baron, this production has to be a cut above the rest. Complete with the must-have panto staple the Fairy Godmother, with the Wicked Stepmother and the magical coach and horses, Richmond residents in need of some festive cheer should hot foot in down to The Green.


Goldilocks and Her Big Top
Hammersmith Town Hall
King Street
W6 9JU

5 December to 8 December 2007

The tenth panto from the Back End crowd is the circus themed ‘Goldilocks and her Big Top’, with all profits from the show going to selected charities. This year’s show sees the familiar story of Goldilocks fused with a circus performance. Goldilocks decides to run away from home and join the circus, however all is not what it seems and she soon uncovers a plot to take over the world with dastardly clowns. With the help of some lumberjacks (the three Bear brothers), Goldilocks must defeat the evil within the Big Top, not to mention the wickedness from Little Red Riding Hood and the Wolf! An fascinating variation on the usual panto.