2013 Kent Christmas panto guide: What's on this festive season at theatres across the county
Published: 00:00, 06 November 2013
Updated: 06:13, 06 November 2013
ASSEMBLY HALL THEATRE, TUNBRIDGE WELLS
Jack and the Beanstalk
Friday, December 13, to Sunday, January 5
A giant of a panto with Philip Martin Brown from Paddock Wood, who is better known as Grantly Budgen from Waterloo Road, playing Fleshcreep and Luke Roberts from CITV’s HI-5 as Jack. Sarah-Jane Buckley – Kathy Barnes from Hollyoaks – co-stars as the Fairy of the Forest,
Admission: Adults from £18.50, children from £16.50
Box office: www.assemblyhalltheatre.co.uk or call 01892 530613.
CENTRAL THEATRE, CHATHAM
Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs
Thursday, December 12, to Sunday, January 5
Topping the bill as the prince is Sam Attwater, who played Leon Small in EastEnders and its spin-off E20. Sam also won ITV’s Dancing on Ice in 2011. He will be starring alongside ventriloquist Steve Hewlett, a finalist in this year’s Britain’s Got Talent, who will appear as Herman the Henchman, while Tarryn Gee, a 24-year-old from Rainham, will be playing the title role.
Admission: Tickets from £12
Box office: www.chathampanto.co.uk or call 01634 338338.
GRANVILLE THEATRE, RAMSGATE
Dick Whittington
Friday, December 13, to Sunday, January 5
The magical tale based on the rags to riches story of Richard Whittington who became Lord Mayor of London. Colourful costumes, fab music, audience participation and of course, Dick’s magical cat!
Admission: Call for prices
Box office: www.granvilletheatre.com or call 01843 591750.
HAZLITT THEATRE, MAIDSTONE
Dick Whittington
Friday, December 6, to Sunday, January 5
Even if the mums and dads don’t recognise Cerrie Burnell – their children will. The CBeebies presenter heads a cast that includes Keith Jack (of Any Dream Will Do fame) and Jimmy Burton Iles as Sarah the Cook. Get set for fun, songs and plenty of slapstick.
Admission: Adult from £15.50, child from £14.50, seniors from £14.50
Box office: www.maidstonepanto.co.uk or call 01622 758611.
LEAS CLIFF HALL, FOLKESTONE
Cinderella
Thursday, January 2, to Sunday, January 12
No big names but a show full of songs, dance routines and a lot of audience participation. Look out for favourite characters including Buttons, the Fairy Godmother, the Ugly Sisters and of course, Cinderella.
Admission: Tickets £14.90
Box office: www.leascliffhall.co.uk
MARGATE WINTER GARENS
Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs
Wednesday, December 4, to Sunday, December 8
Following the success of Aladdin last year, Margate Operatic Society return with a multi-talented cast combined with an original script from the writing talent of Stuart Clements and Harcus Copper.
Admission: Ticket £11 in advance, concessions £9.50
Box office: www.margatewintergardens.co.uk or 01843 296111.
MARLOWE THEATRE, CANTERBURY
Jack and the Beanstalk
Friday, November 29, to Sunday January 12
Naughty but nice – that’s how EastEnders star Samatha Womack describes her character the Good Fairy who will be taking centre stage in a run of 90 shows at the Marlowe. Samatha, who plays Ronnie Mitchell in the BBC soap, will be appearing alongside Phil Gallagher – known to millions of children as Mister Maker in CBeebies – as Jack’s brother Silly Billy. Gemma Sutton stars as the princess.
Admission: From £11
Box office: www.marlowe theatre.com or call 01227 787787.
ORCHARD THEATRE, DARTFORD
Cinderella
Saturday, December 14, to Saturday, January 4
Have a ball with TV favourite Bradley Walsh in this year’s Orchard panto. Bradley, best known for his gameshow The Chase and crime drama Law & Order: UK, will be leading a cast that includes Barry Hester (Widow Twanky) and Louise English (Fairy Godmother). Expect dazzling sets, amazing costumes and some stunning special effects.
Box office: 01322 220000 or www.orchardtheatre.co.uk
Admission: From £15
STAG THEATRE, SEVENOAKS
Robin Hood and the Babes in the Wood
Saturday, December 7, to Sunday, January 5
You may not recognise the name Alan Fletcher but you’re bound to know Doctor Karl Kennedy, the role he has played in Aussie soap Neighbours since 1994. Now a panto veteran in the UK, Alan will be appearing alongside Andy Abraham from the X Factor and 1990s pop star Lolly, aka Anna Kumble.
Admission: Adults £19, concessions £16
Box office: www.sevenoakspanto.com or call 01732 450175.
SWALLOWS LEISURE CENTRE, SITTINGBOURNE
Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs
Thursday, December 19, to Christmas Eve
Former EastEnders’ actress Melissa Suffield takes the lead role at Wyvern Hall in the leisure centre. The 20-year-old called the shots in Albert Square as Lucy Beale for almost six years until she left the soap in 2010. Since leaving the show Melissa has presented BBC2’s Your Body: Your Image, appeared in Casualty and in several pantos.
Admission: Tickets from £6
Box office: 01795 420420
THEATRE ROYAL, MARGATE
Cinderella
Saturday, December 14, to Sunday, December 29
The nation’s favourite panto with Scott Wright from Coronation Street as Prince Charming and Lynette McMorrough from Crossroads as Fairy Superior. Don’t miss the real ponies.
Admission: Adults £15, concessions £13
Box office: www.theatreroyalmargate.com or call 01843 292795.
WOODVILLE, GRAVESEND
Beauty and the Beast
Saturday, December 14, to Sunday, January 4
A handsome prince is cursed to spend his life as a hideous beast. Join the cast to discover if Beauty and her friends, the ‘glamorous’ Dame Dorothy Do-It B.U.M (Buster of Unsightly Mess) and her wilfully witless son, Willy Do-It, can outwit the arrogant bully Eugene and his odious sidekick and lift the curse.
Admission: Tickets from £7
Box office: www.woodville.co.uk or call 01474 337774.