Our guide to Christmas pantos 2018
Here’s our round-up of the best pantomimes to see in Cambridgeshire in 2018, with dates, prices and box office links
Nothing says Christmas like a trip to the panto. So we’ve put together a round-up of this season’s pantomime highlights to look forward to across the region for a feast of family fun.
Aladdin
The most thrilling pantomime adventure of them all returns to Cambridge this Christmas, as Aladdin flies into the Arts Theatre. Starring Wayne Sleep, Liza Goddard, Matt Crosby, Suzie Mathers, Andy Abraham, Holly Easterbrook and Max Fulham, it’s certainly set to be a good one.
Aladdin and his family dream of a better life filled with riches and adventure, far away from the humdrum of their daily grind in the backstreets of Peking. When a mysterious stranger offers untold riches in return for helping him find a magic lamp, Aladdin can’t believe his luck! His head filled with dreams of money and marrying beautiful princesses, Aladdin sets off on an adventure that will change his life, and fortunes, forever... Don’t miss this GENIE-us production of the timeless classic pantomime, brought to you with Cambridge Arts Theatre’s trademark blend of sing-a-long tunes, spectacular dance routines, dazzling costumes and laugh-out-loud jokes guaranteed to have you rolling in the aisles.
Cambridge’s #1 pantomime dame, the hilarious Matt Crosby will take centre stage as Widow Twankey, in his thirteenth
pantomime at the Arts Theatre. Meanewhile Suzie Mathers makes a welcome return to Cambridge as the Princess, following her role as the title character in 2015’s Cinderella. A world-class theatrical performer, Mathers is best known for her acclaimed role as Glinda the Good Witch in the Australian, Asian and London productions of Wicked.
Dates: Thursday 29th November 2018 - Sunday 6th January 2019
Price: from £18
Cambridge Arts Theatre,
Cambridge CB2 3PJ
Tel: (01223) 503333
cambridgeartstheatre.com
Snow White
Snow White is another traditional pantomime which tells the story of princess Snow White and her evil stepmother who relies on her magic mirror to tell her how beautiful she is. That is until Snow White reaches 16 and the mirror tells a different story. Filled with jealousy the wicked Queen instructs her Huntsman to get rid of Snow White in the enchanted forest where a scary beast is said to roam. This then leaves the plotting Queen free to marry the young Prince William who is visiting their kingdom. Not all is lost however as the Palace Cook Dame Dumpling and her son Stu Dumpling look out for Snow White and go looking for her. Of course, we all know Snow White is fine as she has befriended the 7 dwarves. All of this is being looked over by the magical Fairy Crystal who makes sure everything goes to plan! This panto is full of lots of fun, slapstick and great characters making it suitable for all ages.
Dates: Friday 12th January – Saturday 20th January 2019
Price: £12 or £10 concession
Kings Theatre, Fitzroy Street, Newmarket CB8 0JW
Tel: (01638) 663337
nomadskingstheatre.com
Dick Whittington
Dick Whittington is a classic tale of rags to riches; bursting with romance, comedy and evil ratty villains. Come and join the adventures of Dick, Fairy Bow Bells, Dame Sarah Suet, Alderman Fitzwarren, Alice, King Rat and of course Tommy the Cat this Christmas at Haverhill Arts Centre. Starring TV funny man, Bobby Dazzler, veteran TV, stage and panto Magician Des King, and West End star Lloyd Notice as King Rat, the baddie who is intent on ensnaring Alice and preventing Dick from becoming Lord Mayor. Another family pantomime with guaranteed laughter.
Dates: Friday 21st December – Monday 31st December 2018
Price: from £12.50
Haverhill Arts Centre, High Street, Haverhill CB9 8AR
Tel: (01440) 714140
haverhillartscentre.co.uk
Jack and The Beanstalk
The Trott family are down on their luck – they’ve got no money to pay the rent and the only thing they have left to sell is their beloved cow, Daisy. Poor old Dame Trott cannot believe what her son, Jack, brings back in exchange for the cow – but what might seem like a bag of old beans could just be the start of a new adventure for the Trott Family! Featuring a live band, spectacular sets, stunning costumes and a cast of seasoned professionals
Dates: Friday, December 14
2018 – Wednesday, January 2 2019
Price: from £12.50
The Maltings, Ship Lane,
Ely, CB7 4BB
Tel: (01353) 725026
kdtheatre.co.uk
The Gingerbread Man
“Run, run as fast as you can. You can’t catch me. I’m the Gingerbread Man.”
Gingie has been running his whole life. But when the evil venture-capitalist Mrs Badbury and the jaded Milky Bar Kid combine forces to convert Quality Street from a halcyon glade of flavour equality to a mass-producing, soul-destroying factory, Gingie must finally stop and bite back. Will Gingie learn the value of friendship and tolerance to form an assorted mix of intrepid baked goodies? Will they be able to stop the baddie’s plan to turn the moon into a créme egg for profit? Will Flake finally decide to show up? Does anybody actually like Bounty?
Featuring the créme-de-la-créme of Cambridge talent and choc-a-bloc with gooey goodness, The Gingerbread Man is a treat for all the family.
Dates: November 21 to December 1.
Tickets: from £10
ADC Theatre, Park Street, Cambridge CB5 8AS
Tel: 01223 300085, email boxoffice@adctheatre.com. Or visit adctheatre.com
Cinderella
Packed solid with comedy, excitement and adventure, children will love to cheer the hero, Prince Charming, and boo the horrible stepsisters, Fifi and Lala as they try to keep Cinderella from going to the bal1. For two hours (including interval) be transported to the home of Baron Hardup where they will meet Cinderella and all her friends.
Roar with laughter at the comical antics of Buttons and help Prince Charming discover who really owns the glass slipper.
Dates: Saturday, December 15 at 3pm and 6.30pm; Sunday December 16 at 11.30am and 3pm.
Tickets: £8.
Venue: Mumford Theatre, Anglia Ruskin University, East Road, Cambridge CB1 1PT
Box office: mumford.boxoffice@anglia.ac.uk or call 01223 352932, or visit anglia.ac.uk.
Snow White
An original take on the classic Brothers Grimm fairytale, filled with live music, magic and festive fun
In a wild and windswept land, far far away, snow falls on a lonely castle in the forest and a woman sits at her spinning wheel and dreams of the child she always wanted, the child she never had. A little girl who will make her dreams come true, who will be the most beautiful in the whole land. She makes a wish... and pricks her finger. New International Encounter (NIE), the team behind 2016’s Beauty and the Beast and 2014’s Around The World in 80 Days return to Cambridge Junction this Christmas with their version of Snow White.
Dates: Wednesday 05 to Mon 31 December
Price: £15.50
Venue: Cambridge Junction
Tel: 01223 511511 or visit junction.co.uk.
