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10 magical North East pantos
It's that time of year again, with curtains rising on panto season around the region, and there are some great shows to be seen.
Put your travel worries behind you. Here's our guide to 10 magical North East pantomimes...
Cinderella at Newcastle Theatre Royal - 22 November until 15 January
Cinderella will be brought spectacularly to life in a sumptuous production packed with special effects, family-friendly comedy, stunning sets, outrageous costumes, and that most magical pantomime moment when Cinderella is transported to the Prince’s Ball with the help of a pumpkin, some mice and lots of Fairy Godmother magic!
Jack and the Beanstalk at Gala Durham - 24 November until 7 January
After last year’s acclaimed and best-selling Cinderella, Neil Armstrong and Paul Hartley are back to write, direct and star in the Gala Theatre Panto once more as they bring you the heroic and hilarious tale of Jack and the Beanstalk.
Sleeping Beauty at Sunderland Empire - 9 until 31 December
Packed full of hilarious jokes, show-stopping song and dance, larger-than-life characters, colourful costumes, sparkling sets and amazing CGI special effects, Sleeping Beauty is set to be another spectacular pantomime that promises to add a fairy tale touch to your festive season.
Jack and the Beanstalk at Customs House South Shields - 29 November until 7 January
This year’s production will star Ray Spencer – who many will know as his former alter ego Tommy the Trumpeter – as Dame and panto regulars Luke Maddison as Jack and Steven Lee Hamilton as baddie Fleshcreep.
James and the Giant Peach at Newcastle Northern Stage - 19 November until 31 December
This adaption of the much loved Roald Dahl story is packed full of songs, a sprinkling of joining in, and of course a giant juicy peach. Northern Stage’s show will capture the imagination of the whole family.
Beauty and the Beast at Tyne Theatre & Opera House in Newcastle - 2 until 30 December
This year Newcastle Panto present the enchanting story of Beauty and the Beast. In a small French village, the beautiful and intelligent Belle ignores her suitor, the vain and boorish Gaston, as she cares for her father, eccentric inventor Maurice.
Aladdin at Playhouse Whitley Bay - 5 December until 2 January
From the same team that brought you 2015’s smash hit, prepare to be taken on an enchanting journey you’ll remember forever. Whitley Bay's wishes have come true as Boyzone’s Shane Lynch will star as the evil Abanazar!
Sleeping Beauty at Consett Empire - 2 until 31 December
Starring Leah Bell and full supporting cast, Sleeping Beauty promises to be bursting with magic, hilarious characters, fantastic scenery and lots of audience participation.
The Jungle Book at Queen's Hall Arts Centre in Hexham - 13 until 30 December
Enjoy the comical adventures of Mowgli the man cub as he battles to survive and become the leader of the pack, as Rudyard Kipling’s The Jungle Book gets the Oddsocks treatment!
Jack and the Beanstalk at Billingham Forum Theatre - 3 December until 8 January
Barnaby as Barni, The Harper Brothers as The Henchmen, Craig Ansell as Dame Polly Pott, Charlie Cairoli as King, Victoria Holtom as Sweet Pea - The Bean Fairy, Kurtis Stacey as Fleshcreep and new to the Forum - Lola Saunders as Jill, Danny Walters as Jack and The Giant as Himself.
