Shows and Pantomimes
Pantomimes and Family Christmas Shows usually start early December and last till and of January. Here is Mums&Dads list for this year:
A Midsummer Night’s Dream
19 January
The Lowry
Who can resist the story of a Duke marrying his Amazonian queen, two sets of lovers who elope into the woods, Bottom and his funny friends rehearsing their play, a pair of feuding fairies and a naughty sprite called Puck?
Experience fairies, fun, royalty, romance, magic and misunderstandings in Shakespeare4Kidz musical transformation of A Midsummer Night’s Dream, whose dazzling version of the Bard’s sparkling comedy has proved a huge hit every time it has toured.
Schools tickets : £12.50
Pier 8, Salford Quays, Salford, M50 3AZ
Tel: 0843 208 6000
www.thelowry.com
Aladdin
4 December – 7 December
Salford Arts Theatre
Come and cheer for Aladdin on his Arabian adventure. With the help of the Genie of the lamp, he battles an evil magician to find true love. Excitement, laughter and Aladdin’s hilarious dodgy relatives!
Tickets: £7.50, family ticket – £26
Kemsing Walk, Off Liverpool St, Salford M5 4BS
Tel: 0161 925 0111
www.salfordartstheatre.com
Aladdin
9 – 18 January
Waterside Arts Centre
Sale Nomads are back with their annual patomime! Aladdin is a traditional family pantomime for all ages with all the usual characters to laugh along with and plenty of booing, hissing and audience participation.
Tickets: £12 / £10 / Family – £36
Waterside Arts Centre, Sale, M33 7ZF
Tel: 0161 912 5616
www.watersideartscentre.co.ukwhats-on/
Aladdin
10 – 13 December 2014
Wilmslow Guild
A Traditional Pantomime by Graham Basnett
Wilmslow Guild Players’ Christmas pantomime is the best kept secret in Wilmslow – until now! But those in the know keep coming back year after year. Why not give it a try?
This year’s panto is one of the most loved of all – a traditional pantomime by Graham Basnett. Bring the family along to boo the baddies and cheer the goodies. It’s the best way to get the whole family into the Christmas spirit!
Tickets: Adults – £7.50 16 or under – £5
Wilmslow Guild, 1, Bourne Street, Wilmslow, SK9 5HD (just off A538 Altrincham Road)
Tel: 01625 520126
www.wgp.org.uk
Aladdin
15 November 2014 – 10 January 2015
Oldham Coliseum Theatre
Another traditional pantomime filled with slapstick, shouts of ‘it’s behind you!’, hisses, boos, panto dames and festive magic.
Tickets: £14.00-£19.00
Oldham Coliseum Theatre, Fairbottom Street, Oldham OL1 3SW
Tel: 0161 624 2829
www.coliseum.org.uk/plays/aladdin/
Alice in Wonderland
14 November 2014 – 10 January 2015
Bolton Octagon Theatre
Alice’s adventures in Wonderland full of mystery and mayhem, meeting a peculiar range of characters along the way… each of them ‘curiouser and curiouser’ than the last!
This is new adaptation of so familiar to us story will remain true to the well-known and much-loved characters, but adds a few twists and additions to the tale.
Come to see the teatre transformed to fantastic Wonderland packed full of magic and delights. It’s a perfect festive treat for old and young alike.
Tickets : £23 – £9.50
The Octagon Theatre, Howell Croft South, Bolton BL1 1SB
Tel: 01204 520661
octagonbolton.co.uk
Christmas Family Concert. The Hallé
14 December 3:00PM
The Bridgewater Hall
Calling all children, parents and grandparents. This annual fun-filled festive family concert is full of sing-alongs, jingle-alongs, seasonal surprises, orchestral antics and audience amazement. The perfect way to start a family Christmas. This cracker of a concert is so popular, even Father Christmas takes time out to attend. Why not get into the spirit and dress up as a snowman or Rudolph? If you have any sleigh bells – homemade or real – then bring them along and join in.
Tickets: Adults £21; Child £13 (aged 17 and under)
Family Ticket (4 people minimum 1 child) £52
The Bridgewater Hall, Lower Mosley Street, Manchester M2 3WS
Tel: 0161 907 9000
www.bridgewater-hall.co.uk
Cinderella
23 Dec morning, 24 Dec morning and afternoon
Morning Show – Doors Open: 11.00am, Food Served: 12 Noon, Panto: 12.30pm – 2.30pm
Afternoon Show – Doors Open: 1.45pm, Food Served: 2.15pm, Panto: 3pm – 5pm
BEST WESTERN Cresta Court
A classic panto Cinderella, performed by The Panto Company, a professional touring theatre company, comes to the BEST WESTERN Cresta Court Hotel, with lunch included too – traditional roast dinner for the adults and chicken nugget meal for children!
Tickets: £14.95 for Adults & £12.95 for Children (Age 2 – 12)
BEST WESTERN Cresta Court Hotel, Church Street, Altrincham, Cheshire, WA14 4D
Tel:0161 927 2613
www.cresta-court.co.uk
Dick Whittington
11 – 20 December
Forum Theatre
This is one of the longest running pantomimes in the North West – a traditional show that will delight both young and old.
Tickets: Adults – £10.95, children – £5.95
The Precinct, Compstall Road, Romiley, Stockport, SK6 4EA
Tel: 0161-430-6570 (administration) or 0333 666 3366 (ticket line)
www.nktheatrearts.org.uk
Jack & The Beanstalk
11 December – 3 January
Salford Arts Theatre
Times are hard for young Jack and his mother. Forced to sell his beloved cow Daisy, poor Jack comes home with nothing but a few beans. But when the beans grow into a giant beanstalk, Jack finds himself in a whole new world of thrills and adventure. Join in the fun with this traditional panto for the whole family
Tickets: £7, family ticket – £26
Kemsing Walk, Off Liverpool St, Salford M5 4BS
Tel: 0161 925 0111
www.salfordartstheatre.com
Jack and the Beanstalk
11 December – 3 January
Buxton Opera House
When luck finally runs out for poor Dame Trott and her lazy son Jack, the only solution is to sell Daisy, the family cow. So Jack and Daisy set out for market, little knowing that a rip-roaring, magical adventure is lurking just around the corner. With hilarious comedy routines, fabulous dance numbers and some eye-popping effects, Jack and the Beanstalk is a feel-good Christmas treat for the whole family.
Buxton Opera House, Water Street, Buxton, Derbyshire, SK17 6XN
Tel: 0845 127 2190
buxtonoperahouse.org.uk
Jack and the Beanstalk
13 December – 4 January
Lyceum Theatre
This ‘Strictly’ not-to-be missed production is packed full of stunning costumes, spectacular sets, sparkling comedy and some very magical beans! So make sure you get hold of some pantomime gold during Christmas 2014 at the Crewe Lyceum Theatre.
Tickets: £15 – £21
Lyceum Theatre, Heath Street, Crewe, CW1 2DA
Tel: 01270 368 242
www.crewelyceum.co.uk/Online/crewe-pantomime
Jack & the Beanstalk
19 December – 4 January
The Altrincham Garrick Playhouse
There are plenty of laughs, songs and audience participation in this GIANT of a favourite adventure packed story. Jack, the cow, the beans, the stalk and a glamorous wedding are all here in this wonderful new version of the popular tale.
Matinees 1:30pm, Early Evenings 5:30pm, Evenings 7:30pm.
Tickets: Adults – Full Price £15.00, Concessions £13.00; Children under 16 (including babies & infants) £10.00.
Barrington Road, Altrincham, WA14 1HZ
Tel: 0161 928 1677
www.altrinchamgarrick.co.uk/shows/jack-and-the-beanstalk
James & the Giant Peach
12 December – 3 January
Waterside Arts Centre
James Trotter’s Mum and Dad were eaten by an escaped rhinoceros, so he lives with his Aunt Sponge and Aunt Spiker – truly the most hideous Aunts in England. Then a mysterious old man gives James a bag of very, very strong magic – perhaps his life will get better after all. But James drops the bag and the magic spills under an old tree. All appears to be lost until, on the tree, a single peach begins to grow… and grow… and grow and soon extraordinary things start to happen.
Running time – 1 hour 45 minutes including interval
Tuesday 23rd December at 2:30pm will be a Relaxed Performance – aimed at children with autism, learning disabilities and sensory and communication disorders who will benefit from a more relaxed atmosphere. For this performance we have lowered the sound levels, dimmed the lights so the auditorium will not be in complete darkness and provided a chill-out area
Waterside Arts Centre, Sale, M33 7ZF
Tel: 0161 912 5616
www.watersideartscentre.co.uk
Lemony Snicket’s Latke Who Couldn’t Stop Screaming
22 December – 24 December
The Lowry
The story begins in a tiny village more or less covered in snow, where a Hanukkah Latke, a fried potato pancake, is born screaming. The Latke jumps from the boiling pan and races through the wintery village, deep in the throes of festive preparations. Lost amongst the snowy landscape and Christmas lights, will our Latke ever find where it belongs? Unique physical style, with live music, lots of laughs and a screaming potato pancake.
Tickets: £5.50 – £8.50
Pier 8, Salford Quays, Salford, M50 3AZ
Tel: 0843 208 6000
www.thelowry.com
Peter Pan Goes Wrong
16 December – 11 January
The Lowry
The Cornley Polytechnic Drama Society set out to present J.M. Barrie’s classic tale of Peter Pan, but as the title suggests, everything that can go wrong…does, as the accident prone thesps embark on a thrilling adventure to Neverland, with hilariously disastrous results.
Tickets: £18 – £28
Pier 8, Salford Quays, Salford, M50 3AZ
Tel: 0843 208 6000
www.thelowry.com
Puss in Boots
10 – 14 December
The Trafford Margs Operatic Society present a fun-filled pantomime based on classic fairytale Puss in the Boots. Shows at 7.30pm Wednesday-Saturday and matinees at 2.30pm on Saturday and 12.30 & 4.30 on Sunday.
Tickets: £10 – £8
For tickets email tickets@themargs.co.uk or call 07980 931345
The Little Theatre, Oxford Road, WA14 2ED
Puss in Boots
23-24 January
The Didsbury Players
It’s panto time again in Didsbury, and this time it’s the magical story of Puss in Boots!
Tickets: £7, Over 60s and Under 12s for £5 on the Friday and Saturday evening shows; Kids for A Quid offer for the Saturday Matinee
www.didsburyplayers.co.uk
Peformance at East Didsbury Methodist Church, Parrs Wood Road, Manchester, M20 5QQ
Video record is available on the link above.
Shrek the Musical
2 December – 11 January
Palace Theatre
Featuring all new songs as well as cult Shrek anthem I’m a Believer, Shrek the Musical brings all the much-loved DreamWorks characters to life, live on stage, in an all-singing, all-dancing extravaganza. Join the adventure.
97 Oxford St, Manchester
Tel: 0844 871 3019
www.manchestertheatres.com
Slava’s Snowshow
9 – 13 December
The Lowry
Slava’s Snowshow introduces a joyous dream-like world, unlike anything you have ever seen; a world in which a cobweb envelops the audience and one tiny piece of paper begins a heart-stopping blizzard of snow. Combining hilarity and poignancy with stunning, breathtaking spectacle and described by The Sunday Times as ‘Theatrical Brilliance’, this classic show is full of joy for all the family.
Recommended for children 5 years and over and strictly no children under 3 will be permitted
Tickets: £18 – £35
Pier 8, Salford Quays, Salford, M50 3AZ
Tel: 0843 208 6000
www.thelowry.com
The Holdalls Christmas Adventure
27 – 29 December
The Lowry
Join the Holdalls as they venture into the snow filled air, battle festive beasts and bump into the notorious Christmas Pirates. Can they save teddy? Will they make it home in time for morning? Find out in this visual, musical treat bursting with magic to ignite the Christmas spirit in all.
Tickets: £5.50 – £8.50
Pier 8, Salford Quays, Salford, M50 3AZ
Tel: 0843 208 6000
www.thelowry.com
The Nutcracker
4 – 5 January
The Bridgewater Hall
The Russian State Ballet & Orchestra of Siberia brings us this season The Nutcracker. This most famous of fantasy ballets for all the family begins as night falls on Christmas Eve. As snowflakes fall outside, the warm glow of the open fire sends flickering shadows across the boughs of the Christmas tree and all the presents beneath. When midnight strikes we are swept away to a fairy-tale world where nothing is quite as it seems….toy dolls spring to life, the Mouse-king and his mouse-army battle with the Nutcracker Prince and we travel through the Land of Snow to an enchanted place where the magic really begins…
Tickets from 20.50 to 40.50
The Bridgewater Hall, Lower Mosley Street, Manchester M2 3WS
Tel: 0161 907 9000
www.bridgewater-hall.co.uk
The Snow Queen
14 December 2pm
Tatton Park
A unique take on Hans Christian Andersen’s classic fairy tale with a team of three actors from Quantum Theatre entertaining you with an adapted version of the story in a family production aimed at all ages
Tickets: Family £30.00, Adult £12.00, Child £8.00
Tatton Park, Knutsford, Cheshire
Tel: 01625 374400
www.tattonpark.org.uk
The Snowman (screening with live music) The Hallé
23 December 1:30 pm, 4pm, 6.30pm
The Bridgewater Hall
Bring all the family along to the Hallé’s screening of Raymond Briggs’s classic animated film, The Snowman. The film is accompanied by the Hallé performing Howard Blake’s magical score live including a chorister singing ‘Walking in the Air’. A Christmas treat not to be missed. The concert begins with Ian Stephens’s orchestral take on Michael Rosen’s children’s masterpiece We’re Going on a Bear Hunt. A beautiful concert, ‘we’re not scared’!
Tickets: Adults £24; Child (aged 17 and under) £16
Family Ticket (4 people minimum 1 child) £62
The Bridgewater Hall, Lower Mosley Street, Manchester M2 3WS
Tel: 0161 907 9000
www.bridgewater-hall.co.uk:
The Tiger Who Came to Tea
23, 24 January
The Lowry
Based on the picture book by Judith Kerr, and adapted for the stage by David Wood, The Tiger Who Came to Tea is packed with oodles of magic, sing-a-long songs and clumsy chaos! A stunning stage adaptation of the classic tale of teatime mayhem… expect to be surprised!
Tickets : £15.00
Pier 8, Salford Quays, Salford, M50 3AZ
Tel: 0843 208 6000
www.thelowry.com
We’re Going on a Bear Hunt
17 December – 11 January
The Lowry
Michael Rosen’s award-winning book We’re Going On A Bear Hunt is brought vividly and noisily to the stage. Join the quest to find a bear, expect catchy songs, interactive scenes and plenty of hands-on adventure – plus a few special surprises!
Tickets: £11.50 – £13.50, Family Ticket: £50
Pier 8, Salford Quays, Salford, M50 3AZ
Tel: 0843 208 6000
www.thelowry.com
