A festive show or pantomime always gets you into the Christmas spirit! Check out our round-up of the best festive shows and pantos in and around Wharfedale with something for all ages.
1. Cinderella – The Alhambra Theatre, Bradford
Dates: 16th December – 28th January. Relaxed Performance – Tuesday 16 January, 6pm
Join Cinders as she transforms from rags to riches with the help of her best friend Buttons and one very magical fairy godmother. With a fabulous cast and orchestra, laugh-out-loud comedy, stunning scenery with 3D and special effects and all the boos, hisses and cheers you could wish for, Bradford is the place to be to see Billy Pearce and, mother and son duo, Coleen and Shane Nolan bring you ‘The Fairy Godmother Of All Pantomimes’.
The Alhambra Theatre, Morley Street, Bradford, BD7 1AJ. Tel: 01924 848 806
Website
2. Crumble’s Search for Christmas – West Yorkshire Playhouse
Dates: 25th Nov to 30th Dec 2017
Recommended Age: 2-6
When winter comes it’s time for Crumble to hibernate. At least that’s what Crumble’s always been told. Until one year awaking early, the temptation to go and see what’s out there… is too much to resist. And so, leaving the family burrow behind, Crumble begins the adventure of a lifetime.
Will there be a way home before the great freeze? Or will Crumble have to stay with new found friends? And why has no one ever said anything about snow?
From the writer of The Night Before Christmas, this magical story of secret burrows and blustering blizzards is perfect for 2-6 year olds, and their grown-ups.
Courtyard Theatre: West Yorkshire Playhouse, Playhouse Square, Quarry Hill, Leeds LS2 7UP
Tel: 0113 213 7700 to book tickets
Website
3. The Lion, The Witch & The Wardrobe – West Yorkshire Playhouse
Dates: 29th Nov 2017 -21st Jan 2018
Recommended Age: 7+
Step through the wardrobe this winter into the magical kingdom of Narnia … and the Playhouse as you’ve never seen it before.
Join Lucy, Edmund, Susan and Peter for the most mystical of adventures to a faraway land where it’s always winter, but never Christmas …
Wave goodbye to wartime Britain and say hello to a talking faun, an unforgettable Lion and the coldest, cruellest white Witch….
Following the magically inventive Peter Pan at the National Theatre and the critically acclaimed sell-out tour of Jane Eyre, Sally Cookson explores this timeless story of magic, mischief and mayhem in a spellbinding new production.
Tel: 0113 213 7700 to book tickets.
Courtyard Theatre: West Yorkshire Playhouse, Playhouse Square, Quarry Hill, Leeds LS2 7UP
Website
4. Jack and the Beanstalk Pantomime – Carriageworks Theatre
Dates: 1st Dec to 6th Jan 2018
Recommended Age: Not stated
Carriageworks Theatre is once again teaming up with one of the country’s leading pantomime producers, Paul Holman Associates, to present the much-loved story of Jack and the Beanstalk.
With a bag full of magic beans, colourful characters, creative costumes and a set straight out of a fairy tale book, Jack and the Beanstalk promises to raise the roof at Carriageworks Theatre with bucket-loads of laughter and the classic triumph of good over evil.
Carriageworks Theatre , The Electric Press, 3 Millennium Square, Leeds, LS2 3AD.
To book call: 0113 376 0318
Website
5. Nativity the Musical – Leeds Grand Theatre
Dates: 20th Dec- 6th Jan 2018
Your favourite festive film is now a major new musical adapted for the stage by Debbie Isitt, the creator of the much-loved films.
Feel-good, funny and full of yuletide joy, Nativity! The Musical features all of the favourite sing-a-long hits from the films including Sparkle and Shine, Nazareth, One Night One Moment, She’s the Brightest Star and a whole host of new songs filled with the spirit of Christmas!
Running Time 2hrs 20mins (approx)
The Grand, 46 New Briggate, Leeds, Ls1 6NZ . Tel: 0844 848 2700 to book tickets
Website
6. Aladdin – The Rock ‘n’ Roll Panto – City Varieties Music Hall
Dates: 24th Nov 2017 to 7th Jan 2018
Recommended Age: 3+ (loud music is played live on stage + pyrotechnics are employed)
A high-octane panto mixing traditional elements of audience participation and corny gags plus the added bonus of a legendary ‘boulder’ fight (which has to be seen to be believed!) and a panoply of pop, rock and soul hits played live on stage!
City Varieties Music Hall Swan Street, Leeds, LS1 6LW. Tel: 0113 243 0808
Website
7. Rainbow Factory Christmas Show: Scrooge’s Christmas Carol
Dates: 6th December – 5th January
Recommended Age: This show has been specifically designed for the whole family to enjoy, ideally from the age of 2+.
Ebenezer Scrooge is the grumpiest person on the planet.
He’s so mean, he threatens to ruin Christmas for everyone around him.
It’s going to take three ghostly spirits, one Christmas Eve night, and an awful lot of festive magic to help him discover the true meaning of Christmas.
Don’t miss this brand-new, magical re-imagining of Dickens’ classic Christmas tale – featuring original songs, dance, puppetry, magic and lots of laughs!
Show length: approx 45 mins.
Springfield Commercial Centre, Bagley Ln, Farsley, Pudsey LS28 5LY. Tel: 0113 257 5750
Website
8. Pantomime Lunch – The Village Hotel, Leeds North
Dates: 10th, 17th & 24th December December, 12 pm.
Enjoy a fun, festive 2-course lunch (main and dessert from the festive lunch menu), meet Santa and enjoy a cracking Christmas panto.
10th Dec – Sleeping Beauty
17th Dec – Aladdin
24th Dec -Cinderella
Village Hotel Club Leeds North, 186 Otley Rd, Headingley, Leeds LS16 5PR. Tel: 0113 323 6150
Website
9. Santa’s Breakfast Panto at Stockeld Park
Dates: 25th & 26th Nov, 2nd & 3rd Dec, 9th & 10th Dec
Santa will be hosting a brilliant Breakfast Panto show which will excite and entertain little ones this winter season. Plus enjoy a yummy breakfast and receive a present from Santa himself to take home.
As part of your ticket you will also receive a complimentary Adventure Zone pass for the Magical Enchanted Forest (which includes 4 adventure playgrounds) to use on the day of your visit.
Stockeld Park, off the A661 Wetherby Road, LS22 4AN Tel: 01937 586333
Website
10. Dick Whittington Pantomime at Cannon Hall Farm
Dates: 18th, 19th, 25th and 26th November
TaleGate Theatre Productions, now on its ninth year of touring the UK, will be bringing Dick Whittington to Cannon Halls indoor event space – complete with stage, lights and everything you’d expect from a quality theatre production.
Packed with songs, slapstick, silliness, breathtaking special effects, audience participation and all the fairytale magic of traditional pantomime!
Panto tickets include full-day access to Cannon Hall Farm
Bark House Ln, Cawthorne, Barnsley S75 4AT. Tel: 01226 790427
Website
