Pantomime season is fast approaching, and the theatres have already announced the dates, plays, casts and pantos all across Essex. So it is time to start booking your tickets for a great family day out!
Please note – dates from previous year. Dates to be updated.
Pantos In Essex (listed alphabetically by town)
Chelmsford Civic Theatre – Dick Whittington
Join Dick Whittington and his faithful feline friend on their magical adventure from the heart of Chelmsford, to the nation’s capital where the streets are paved with gold and the evil King Rat dwells
Under 2-year-olds free.
- Call 01245 606505
- Web: chelmsford.gov.uk/theatres
Dunmow – The Arts Centre – Cinderella
It’s panto time at the Arts Centre, Come along and see The Arts Theatre company & Junior Theatre Company’s joint venture, a spectacular version of Cinderella, including all you expect to see from a Panto (oh yes it does)!! The ugly sisters, Buttons, A fairy Godmother & more …..
- Performances start on Fri 30th Nov and go through to Thursday 6th Dec all starting at 7pm,
- There is also a matinee performance on Sunday at 3pm.
- Tickets online: www.artscentretickets.com
Past Events
Brentwood Theatre
- Jemima Puddle-Duck and her friends
- Monday 5 – Friday 30 December
- Tickets £12.50 (£11 conc)
- INLCUDES £10 off a visit to Old MacDonald’s Farm
- Call 01277 200305
- www.brentwood-theatre.org
Chelmsford Riverside
- Cinderella on Ice
- Wed 14th – Sun 18th December
- Call 01245 615089
- Web: chelmsford.gov.uk/iceshow
Clacton Princes Theatre
- Snow White and the Seven Dwarves
- Tue 13th Dec – Sun 1st Jan
- Starring Alison Hammond!
- Tickets: £12.50, family £42
- Call 01255 686633
- www.essex-live.co.uk
Clacton West Cliff Theatre
- Pinocchio
- Sat 31st Dec – Mon 2nd Jan
- Tickets £7-9
- Performances at 2.30pm and 7.30pm
- Box office: 01255 433344
Colchester Mercury Theatre
- Beauty and the Beast
- Fri 2nd Dec – Sat 7th Jan
- Tickets: 01206 573948
- www.mercurytheatre.co.uk
Southend Cliffs Pavilion
- Aladdin
- Shane Richie!
- Sat 10th Dec – Sat 31st Dec
- Tickets: 01702 351135
- www.southendtheatres.org.uk
Witham Public Hall
- Cinderella & the Garden of Jewels
- Performed by the award winning Essex Group
- Wed 21st – Sat 24th December
- Tickets: £10 adults, £28 family, £8 concessions
- Times: 3pm and 7pm plus 1pm on Saturday
- Tickets: 01376 567667
- www.thesxgroup.co.uk
BARKING
3rd Dec – 2nd Jan – Dick Whittington
Dick and his barking cat invite you to join them on their search for fame and fortune and to find out if the streets of London are really paved with gold, in this magical musical adventure. Various times and prices, Broadway Barking, 020 85075607
BASILDON
3rd Dec – 3rd Jan – Jack and the Beanstalk
A truly giant family pantomime for Christmas 2009 starring Simon Fielding, Age 3 +. Various times and prices. Towngate Theatre, 01268 465465
BILLERICAY
12th Dec – Cinderella
This year’s pantomime Cinderella will be a full length pantomime with lots of audience participation. Why bother travelling when you can go to The Fold, 2:30pm, £7/£9, 01277 659286
BRENTWOOD
7th – 30th Dec – The Twits
Bored of playing school kiddish tricks on one another, the grotesque, satisfyingly revolting couple Mr and Mrs Twit turn their attentions to capturing and training a family of monkeys, the Mugglewumps, for a circus act. Various times and prices, Brentwood Theatre, 01277 200305
CHELMSFORD
4th Dec – 3rd Jan – WIN! WIN! WIN! Jack and the Beanstalk
With all the elements of a traditional pantomime and much more, Jack and the beanstalk is set to enchant and excite audiences of all ages with this classic adventure story. Various times and prices. Civic Theatre, 01245 606505
16th – 20th Dec – Alice in Wonderland
The centre’s Ice Show Spectacular is the only Christmas ice show in the whole of Essex, and provides magical entertainment that your children (and you!) will not forget. Various times and prices. Riverside Ice & Leisure, 01245615089
HARLOW
11th Dec- 10th Jan – Cinderella
Will Cinders attend the ball? Will she end up with the Prince? With thrills and spills galore, this is one thigh-slapping family treat you won’t want to miss out on. Various times and prices, Harlow Playhouse, 01279431945
HORNCHURCH
3rd Dec-16th Jan – Sleeping Beauty
Mixing traditional family entertainment with the glorious sparkle of a West End show, Sleeping Beauty has everything you would expect from a panto and more! Various times and prices, Queens Theatre, 01708443333
ILFORD
17th Dec-23rd Jan – Snow White
As always the pantomime will be a lavish, traditional, fun-filled spectacular suitable for all the family. Various times, £10/£12. Kenneth More Theatre, 0208 5534466
SOUTHEND
11th Dec-3rd Jan – The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe
Join Peter, Susan, Edmund and Lucy as they journey through the wardrobe into the magical land of Narnia, encountering many adventures on their way! Various times and prices. Palace Theatre, 01702351135
12th Dec- 10th Jan Cinderella
One of Britain’s funniest entertainers and the countries most sought after pantomime star- Brian Conley will lead a superb cast in this year’s spectacular Christmas pantomime. Various times and prices. Cliffs Pavilion, 01702 351135
THURROCK
4th Dec- 10th Jan – Snow White
Once upon a time… (as all good fairy tales begin), their lived a Princess who’s hair was black as ebony, skin as white as snow and lips as red as blood. Her name, Snow White, of course. Various times, £12-£17/£48-£58 family (2+2). Thameside Theatre, 0845 3005264
My son went to see Sleeping Beauty with his school today and is having nightmares! He hated it and spent the show sitting on a teachers lap. He woke up earlier crying “I want to go home”. Apparently a lot of other kids are a little traumatised by it too, so maybe not one to take younger children to (4-5 year olds).