Our guide to 2024 pantos in Cambridgeshire - including Cinderella at Cambridge Arts Theatre
Matt Crosby is Cambridge panto royalty and enjoying his 19th year with Cambridge Arts Theatre’s show.
He’s best known for his brilliant dames – but this year he has hung up his wild frocks in favour of a waistcoat as he is playing lovelorn Buttons in Cinderella.
Matt says: “The last time we did Cinderella in Cambridge I was one of the ugly sisters alongside Wayne Sleep, but I decided that I only wanted to be an ugly sister once. I only wanted to try it out to see if I’d enjoy it. I didn’t really enjoy it
“I don’t want to be the horrible character. I want to be the nice one. It was a bit yucky being so cruel to Cinderella. This year they’ve got it right, but I’m delighted to be playing Buttons although I think my kids are a bit disappointed that they don’t get to see me in my big wig and frock.
“It was always nice playing the dame, playing the mumsy character. The parents know it’s a bloke in a frock, the teenagers are a bit confused, not quite sure how to gauge the situation. And the younger children, they just believe, don’t they believe? And it’s beautiful, because in the song sheet at the end, when the kids come up on stage, they just talk to you like an auntie or or a grandmother, and it’s so beautiful. I was talking to our director, Michael, just saying that’s my favourite bit when the kids come up on stage, and it gives them a moment to talk, and you don’t know what they’re going to say.”
He explained that panto was what made him love theatre as a child.
“Panto is a younger person’s first entry into the theatre a lot of the time, isn’t it? I think some actors or directors or even producers forget how important pantomime is to an audience.
“They forget that this is the first time children have been in a theatre and without pantomime, would children still want to go to the theatre? Would they still want to go and see Shakespeare or or an Ibsen?
“My introduction to theatre was through pantomime, and that’s when I fell in love with it. I thought this, it was pure magic on stage, and that’s why I wanted to then go and see more shows. That led me down going to see beautiful productions that weren’t pantomime. But I thank pantomime for me falling in love with this, with this industry.”
Matt has been the theatre’s resident pantomime dame since 2012, with most recent roles including Gertie Goose in 2023’s Mother Goose and Sarah the Cook in 2022’s Dick Whittington and his Cat, and last performed as Buttons in 2011’s Cinderella. Other credits include ITV’s 2023 series Nolly alongside Helena Bonham Carter, Coronation Street (ITV), To Sir, With Love (Birmingham rep), Antigone (Storyhouse) and The Importance of Being Earnest (Vaudeville Theatre).
He said: “I want to do at least one more year to make it 20 years in Cambridge. Cyril Fletcher did 37.
Matt says: “I can’t give any spoilers, but this year is so there’s so many unique moments. I don’t want to ruin any of the magic this year. All I will say is, the song choices are perfect, the set pieces are perfect, and they cast more than perfect, sublime.
“It’s beautiful, it’s funny, it’s cheeky, it’s naughty. It’s not bawdy, in a Julian Clary sense, but it’s naughty for the kids.
“ I’m quite a big kid when it comes to jokes, I like things that their little kids like. So to these gags that are being said, or see these moments that are happening, yes, really lovely. I’m so excited.”
Written by Al Lockhart-Morley, the principal cast also includes Chloe Gentles as Cinderella and Harry Howle and Steven Roberts joining dastardly forces as the Wicked Stepsisters. Directed by Michael Gattrell, Cinderella runs from 28 November to 5 January. For tickets visit cambridgeartstheatre.com.
Other pantos to see this year
It’s time to indulge your inner child as the season of panto arrives in a cloud of glitter, greasepaint and gags galore! Louise Cummings, Alex Spencer and Adrian Peel round up what else is on.
Snow White at ADC Theatre, Cambridge
Snow White is celebrating her eighteenth birthday surrounded by bags of dirty washing when we catch up with her at the ADC Theatre in Cambridge. With Dame Trudy Wench at her side, she makes sure that the palace is spick and span for Queen Grismerelda and her handsome son Prince Charming.
That is until Snow is banished into the Fantasy Forest, all thanks to the Magic Mirror, with nowhere to go and no pennies to her name. Join her, Trudy, Grismerelda, Prince Charming, Hemingway the Huntsman and the Stardom Seven in this production by Cambridge University Amateur Dramatic Club and Cambridge Footlights.
See Snow White from 27 November to 7 December. Book at adctheatre.com.
Goldilocks and the Three Bears at The Maltings in Ely
In Ely, The Maltings will be transformed into a magical Big Top for a sensational showcase of Goldilocks and the Three Bears.
The dazzling KD Theatre production features director Rob Stevens as the fabulous Dame Betty Barnum; Joey Warne as the energetic Silly Billy Barnum; Michael Loftus as the Evil Ringmaster; Hope Thompson in the title role of Goldilocks and the beloved three Bears, played by David McNair, Mollie Kate Angus, and Sarah Bluck.
See the show from December 13 to January 5.
Visit kdtheatre.co.uk.
Snow White’s Seven at Cottenham
Some unusual twists and turns can be expected in Cottenham village College’s panto, Snow White’s Seven.
When Snow White gets ousted from her home by the evil queen she seeks refuge in a house in the woods – with some very unexpected residents. Will she be able to unite with her new friends to defeat the evil queen? Make sure to come and find out!
The show will run from Wednesday, 4 December to Saturday, 7 December at Cottenham Village College.
Weekday performances begin at 7.30pm, Saturday matinee is at 1pm and Saturday evening is at 5.30pm.
Tickets: £12 for adults, £10 for under 16s. Book over 10 tickets for a performance and receive a 10 per cent discount.
Tickets at https://www.cottenhamtheatre.com/tickets/ or via Ticketsource by calling 0333 666 4466.
Jack and the Beanstalk at Haverhill Arts Centre
Nineties pop star and lead singer of the Honeyz, Celena Cherry, is bound for Haverhill Arts Centre to play Fairy Honey in Jack and the Beanstalk. Vowing to undo her good work is the villainous Fleshcreep, played by David Learner, joined by a cast of talents including Sinéad Mathias-Medeiros as Jack Trott; Aaron Blackburn as Daisy the cow; Michael Heslop reprising his role of Dame Trott and Jodie Corbett as Jill Kindheart.
Witness Jack doing battle with the grumpy giant from December 14 to 24 and book at haverhillartscentre.co.uk.
Aladdin at Theatre Royal Bury
Theatre Royal Bury will look decidedly different come November 22 as it masquerades as Abanazer International, the finest hotel in all of Arabia. Here you’ll find Aladdin on hand to help carry your bags, Washy ready to collect your laundry and evil owner Abanazer poised to rule the land (or so he hopes!). Cheer on Aladdin and his trusty sidekicks as they battle to defeat the hotelier from hell. With award-winning costume designer, Dawn Allsopp, in charge of wardrobe, expect a spectacular feast-for-the eyes and sets which exude grandeur.
See Aladdin from November 22 to January 12. Book at theatreroyal.org.
