More on KentOnline
More on KentOnline
Get ready to boo, hiss, cheer and chant – that’s right, Kent’s panto season is back (oh, yes it is!).
Whether you want to fall in love with Prince Charming, defeat the Evil Queen or set sail on a swashbuckling adventure with Peter Pan, our guide to this year’s festive shows will help you pick the perfect panto…
ASTOR THEATRE, Deal
Follow Jack as he climbs the beanstalk and sets off on a magical journey in the clouds. This traditional tale is being told with the help of Big Adventure Productions and director Ian McFarlane who has produced brilliant pantos up and down the country.
Details: Friday, December 20 to New Year’s Eve at the Astor Theatre in Deal. Book tickets online here or by calling 01304 370220.
CENTRAL THEATRE, Chatham
Entertainer Andrew Curphey may have won the hearts of the nation during his run on Britain’s Got Talent, but now the fun-loving drama teacher is set to win over a whole new audience as he stars in Jack in the Beanstalk. He will be joined by Holby City star and Strictly champ Joe McFadden, CBeebies presenter Kate Ashworth and returning favourite Alex Anstey as Dame Trott.
“I love that for a lot of children, it is their first time at the theatre,” says Andrew, who will be playing the role of Silly Billy. “I’m sure they are going to love the show.”
Details: Thursday, December 12 to Sunday, January 5 at the Central Theatre in Chatham. Book tickets online here or by calling 01634 338338.
CHURCHILL THEATRE, Bromley
Pop Idol star Gareth Gates and doctor-turned-musical-theatre-star Ranj Singh will be taking centre stage for this year’s panto, Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs. Gareth Gates, who first rose to fame in 2002 as the runner-up in singing competition Pop Idol, has sold more than 3.5 million records in the UK and appeared in shows like Legally Blonde and Les Misérables.
“I think Snow White will be my 15th panto, so I am a bit of a seasoned pro at it now,” says the singer. “It’s always a great way to end the year. My daughter’s 15 now and has watched me in every one; she still loves it and I don’t think it would feel like Christmas if I didn’t do panto now!”
He will be joined by Dr Ranj, who became a familiar face on shows such as This Morning and BBC’s Morning Live and has since turned his hand to performing. He competed on Strictly Come Dancing in 2018 and recently starred in the national tour of & Juliet.
Details: Saturday, December 7 to Sunday, January 5 at the Churchill Theatre in Bromley. Book tickets online here or by calling 03433 100020.
EM FORSTER THEATRE, Tonbridge
Wicked Productions returns to Tonbridge for the ninth year and, this time, it’s to tell the timeless fairytale of Snow White. The evil queen is out to snatch the fair Snow White but, with the help of Sarah the Cook, the handsome Prince and her best friend Muddles, she might just manage to escape.
Muddles actor Tom Swift said: “We are absolutely thrilled to be back at the EM Forster Theatre. The venue and staff have become like family to us, and we truly consider the theatre our second home. Every year, the warmth and enthusiasm from the team and audience make this experience more special, and we can't wait to bring the magic of panto back to Tonbridge this Christmas!”
Details: Friday, December 13 to Sunday, January 5 at the EM Forster Theatre in Tonbridge. Book tickets online here or by calling 01732 304241.
GRANVILLE THEATRE, Ramsgate
Soar across the skies with Peter Pan and Tinkerbell and discover the mischievous world of Neverland. There will be plenty of swashbuckling action and exciting special effects as Peter and the Lost Boys take on Captain Hook and his crew while the Darling children try to find their way through this magical new land.
Details: Saturday, December 14 to Christmas Eve at the Granville Theatre in Ramsgate. Book tickets online here or by calling 03330 096697.
HAZLITT THEATRE, Maidstone
Theatre-goers are in for double trouble this year as there’s not one, but two, panto dames stepping into their high heels for the Hazlitt Theatre’s panto, Cinderella. The theatre’s regular dame, Joe Meloy, will return for his sixth year as Donna while Adam Borzone will join him as the second wicked stepsister, Bella.
“You’ll be getting two dames for the price of one,” says Joe. “You’re getting more for your money and I think we are going to work really well together.”
Details: Saturday, November 30 to New Year’s Eve at the Hazlitt Theatre in Maidstone. Book tickets online here or by calling 01622 758611.
LEAS CLIFF HALL, Folkestone
The vibrant world of Oz is being brought to life this Christmas, from the glowing Emerald City to the winding Yellow Brick Road. All the best-loved characters from Frank L Baum’s children’s novel and the classic family film that followed will be there, including Dorothy, the Scarecrow, the Tin Man and the Cowardly Lion.
Details: Friday, December 13 to New Year’s Eve at Leas Cliff Hall in Folkestone. Book tickets online here.
MARLOWE THEATRE, Canterbury
Soap star Maisie Smith is swapping Albert Square for the streets of Canterbury as she makes her panto debut in the city this Christmas. The former EastEnders actor will appear in the county’s biggest pantomime, Beauty and the Beast, alongside award-winning dame Ben Roddy, who returns for his 16th year, and CBeebies’ Mister Maker Phil Gallagher.
“It’s so exciting to be making my pantomime debut at the Marlowe Theatre, as it’s got such a fantastic reputation across the country,” says 23-year-old Maisie. “The cast are all such lovely people and audiences are going to adore each and every one of them. I can’t wait to spend Christmas in Canterbury – it’s such a magical place and the audiences here are the best!”
Details: Friday, November 22 to Sunday, January 12 at the Marlowe Theatre in Canterbury. Book tickets online here or by calling 01227 787787.
ORCHARD WEST THEATRE, Dartford
The timeless tale of Sleeping Beauty will take over the Orchard West Theatre, Dartford’s temporary structure replacing the Orchard Theatre, this festive season. The production marks the first time that theatre company Imagine Theatre has been at the helm of the town’s Christmas show and will also star Britain’s Got Talent winner Sydnie Christmas in her first panto role.
“I’m really excited,” says the 29-year-old singer. “It’s got the Britain’s Got Talent songs, so it’ll be really fun to relive my best moments at the end of the year. They are songs that I hold really close to my heart and love singing and they are songs that changed my life, so it’s my pleasure.”
The Gravesend-born performer will be joined by comedy duo Simmons and Simmons, a father-son team who are both Dartford locals, and comedian and magician Christian Lee, who also appeared on Britain’s Got Talent in 2016.
Details: Saturday, December 14 to Sunday, January 5 at the Orchard West Theatre in Dartford. Book tickets online here or by calling 03433 100033.
RYLANCE THEATRE, Ashford
Theatre company Blue Phoenix Productions will return to Ashford this Christmas to put on their latest festive show, Snow White. The panto is packed with laugh-out-loud slapstick comedy, tongue-in-cheek puns, elaborate costumes, wicked villains and catchy tunes that will put a smile on kids’ faces. The cast includes The Voice contestant Kalon Rae, Princess Live performer Holly Harvey and local favourite Paul Ketley.
Details: Friday, December 14 to Saturday, January 4 at the Rylance Theatre in Ashford. Book tickets online here or by calling 01233 367399.
SARAH THORNE THEATRE, Broadstairs
Whether it’s the ‘90s animated film or the recent blockbuster starring Will Smith, Aladdin is a firm family favourite. This year, the cast of the Sarah Thorne Theatre’s panto will be taking audiences on an enchanting trip through Agrabah with professional actors, live music and stunning scenery.
Details: Saturday, December 7 to New Year’s Eve at the Sarah Thorne Theatre in Broadstairs. Book tickets online here or by calling 03336 664466.
STAG THEATRE, Sevenoaks
This year, Sevenoaks’ panto will be sprinkled with some West End glitz and glamour. Courtney Stapleton, best known for playing one of the Tudor queens in pop musical Six, will star as the Wicked Queen, while former Chicago star Billie Hardy will play Snow White. Michael Levi, who has appeared in Jersey Boys, Kinky Boots and Walk Like a Man, also joins the cast as the Prince.
Details: Friday, December 6 to New Year’s Eve at the Stag Theatre in Sevenoaks. Book tickets online here or by calling 01732 450175.
TRINITY THEATRE, Tunbridge Wells
Audiences will be greeted by a towering Christmas tree in the foyer and festive drinks flowing at the bar when they arrive at the Trinity Theatre for this year’s panto, Sleeping Beauty. This heart-warming love story is packed with upbeat music, crowd-pleasing jokes and colourful costumes.
Details: Saturday, December 14 to Sunday, January 5 at the Trinity Theatre in Tunbridge Wells. Book tickets online here or by calling 01892 678678.
THE WOODVILLE, Gravesend
Fans of TV quiz show The Chase might recognise Mark Labbett, also known as The Beast, as he stars in this year’s show, Jack and the Beanstalk. The trivia whizz will be joined on stage by a stellar cast of performers, including Olivier Award winner Leanne Jones and Britain’s Got Talent comedian Jezo.
Details: Friday, December 6 to Sunday, January 5 at The Woodville in Gravesend. Book tickets online here or by calling 01474 337500.
Make sure you check our Kent Christmas calendar to find more festive events.
