BARKING
Until 31st December
Aladdin
Come and see this pantomime classic, perfect for the whole family. Suitable for all ages. Various times and prices. The Broadway 020 8507 5607
7th December – 2nd January
Snow White
Snow White will take you on a magical adventure deep into the forest where you will meet lots of amazing animals and several quirky dwarfs. Suitable for all ages. 2pm/6.30pm. £10/£13/£42. The Broadway 020 8507 5607
15th January
Born This Way!
Students of all ages bring you selections from shows including Cabaret, Snoopy,
Annie, Witches of Eastwick, Pippin, The Wizard of Oz, Glee and more! 7pm.
£10/£12/£40. The Broadway
020 8507 5607
18th February
Theo the Mouse – Magical Mayhem
From
the writer of TV favourites Sooty and The Basil Brush Show comes the UKs
funniest children’s character, Theo the Mouse. 2pm. £8/£10/£32.
The Broadway 020 8507 5607
BASILDON
Dick Whittington
Until 1st January
Stunning costumes, magnificent scenery, amazing dance routines and a few special surprises will all be on offer when you follow Dick and his friends as they set out on their journey to London, meeting a few unique characters along the way. Various times and prices. Towngate Theatre 01268 465465
26th February
Superslam Wrestling
Two hours of non-stop action from the best of British & American wrestling stars. 3pm. £10/£15/£45. Towngate Theatre 01268 465465
BILLERICAY
3rd December
Jack at the Beanstalk
You’ll
love this panto classic full of brilliant costumes, characters and festive
frolics. Suitable for all ages. 11am/2.30pm. £8/£10.
The Fold 01277 659286
BRAINTREE
3rd December
Wrestling
Action
packed wrestling match! 7.30pm. From £12. Bocking Arts Theatre
01279 815464
19th – 23rd December
Potty Patrick’s Childrens Xmas Show
Join Patrick Jacobs, Matthew Corbett and Sooty, Roger de Courcy and Nookie the bear and singing star Sonia. Suitable for the whole family. 11am. £5. Bocking Arts Theatre 01279 815464
28th January
Sleeping Beauty
Braintree Pantaloons bring us the classic tale of Sleeping Beauty. Suitable for the whole family. 11am/3pm/7.30pm. £5.50/£6/£6.50/£7. Bocking Arts Theatre 01279 815464
BRENTWOOD
5th – 30th December
Jemima Puddle Duck and Friends
Be dazzled as Beatrix Potter’s family show is brought to life. £11/£12.50. Brentwood Theatre 01277 200305
10th December
Jack and the Beanstalk
HENs Theatre Company bring you yet another fantastic show! Various times. £4.50/£6.50/£20. Nightingale Centre, Brentwood. henstheatre@yahoo.co.uk
17th December
Music for Christmas
With guest children’s choir St Mary’s School Shenfield. Suitable for all ages. Various times. £6/£14/£35. The Brentwood Centre 0871 224 1113
BURY ST EDMUNDS
14th – 16th November
The Snow Queen
Join Ballet Theatre UK in their beautiful re-telling of Hans Christian Anderson’s classic fairytale ballet. 2pm/7.30pm. Theatre Royal 01284 769505
Until 15th January
Dick Whittington
A fantastic, feline and fun-fuelled frolic for all the family. Various times and prices. Theatre Royal 01284 769505
CHELMSFORD
15th-19th November
The Wiz
A modern version of the classic American children's novel The Wizard of Oz. This classic tale is retold with a rock score, magical elements, humour and pyrotechnics. Performed by the Chelmsford Young Generation Amateur Dramatics Society. 3pm/7.30pm. Civic Theatre 01245 606505
2nd December – 2nd January
Sleeping Beauty
With
beguiling storybook sets, bewitching song and dance routines, beautiful
costumes, plenty of audience participation and the most important ingredient of
all - a generous helping of pantomime magic! Various times. £15-£18. Chelmsford
Civic Theatre
01245 606505
14th - 18th December
Cinderella on Ice
Be amazed by the magical story of Cinderella on ice. Suitable for all ages. Various times and prices. Riverside Ice and Leisure 01245 615089
20th – 21st December
A Christmas Carol
Through
Marley’s words, we learn how three magical spirits opened Scrooge’s eyes and
made him realise the true value of love and forgiveness. Age 7+. £10/£12. 8pm.
Cramphorn Theatre 01245 606505
27th-28th January
The Owl Who Was Afraid of the Dark
Join
Plop, the baby barn owl as he journeys into the night-time world of campfires,
fireworks, starry nights and moonlit adventures. Ages 3-7. Various times.
£7.50/£10/£30.
Civic Theatre 01245 606505
14th-17th March 2012
Napoli: The Fisherman and his Bride
Chelmsford Ballet Company bring you a humorous and colourful ballet that progresses from fun to near tragedy! Times and prices vary. Chelmsford Civic Theatre 01245 606505
CLACTON
3rd December
Great Britain The Pantomime
A flag waving mad musical sing-a-long of a show. 2.30pm/7.30pm. £3/£5. West Cliff Theatre 01255 474000
16th December – 1st January
Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs
Snow White is an enchanting fairytale and the perfect festive treat for the whole family. Suitable for all ages. Various times. £11/£12.50/£42. Princes Theatre 01255 686633
18th December
A Christmas Carol
Clacton Cooperative Band bring Christmas music and Dickensian readings. 3pm. £7. West Cliff Theatre 01255 474000
31st December – 2nd January
Pinocchio
Traditional pantomime with yards of fun for all. Suitable for the whole family. 2.30pm/7.30pm. £7/£9.50. West Cliff Theatre 01255 474000
16th February
LDN Wrestling Cage Match
All the top names including Peckham Playboy Hakan, Richard Parliament, the mysterious masked man The Dark Lord and more. 7.30pm. £10/£12. Princes Theatre 01255 686633
21st January – 22nd January
Sleeping Beauty
Brought to you by Our Youth of Light Drama group, a pantomime for all the family. 2.30pm/7.00pm. St Charles Hall, Holland Road, Clacton-on-Sea, Essex. 01255 420344
COLCHESTER
16th November
Friend or Foe
An exciting tale of friendship and adventure set during the height of the Second World War. Age 8+. 7.30pm. £11.20/£13.90/£15/16.25. Mercury Theatre 01206 573948
19th November
Mr Panda and the Magical Dust Show
Wonderful characters, audience participation, magical illusions, original music and prizes. Ages 3-9. 11am/1.30pm. £3.95. Colchester Arts Centre 01206 500900
19th November
Numberjacks Live On Stage!
Fun, comedy, music and excitement from the TV show plus lots more. 11am/1.30pm. £9.50/£12.50/£38. Mercury Theatre 01206 573948
20th November
Sleeping Beauty
Performed by the Moscow Ballet, the tale of Sleeping Beauty is told through magical dance, characters and Tchaikovsky’s sumptuous music. 5.30pm. £13/£16/£21/£60. Charter Hall 01206 282020
2nd December – 7th January
Beauty and the Beast
An enchanting fairy tale. Can the beast be tamed, Belle’s heart be claimed and the evil sorceress Botoxia be restrianed? Suitable for all ages. Various times and prices. Mercury Theatre 01206 573948
3rd December
Big Mouth Piano Tales: The Snowman
An astonishingly funny, lively & often moving performance by the audience themselves. Ages 5-10. 1.30pm. £3.95. Colchester Arts Centre 01206 500900
4th December
Aladdin
Told
using giant and beautiful shadow theatre, follow Aladdin’s wild and dangerous
adventures. Age 4+. 2pm. £5. University of Essex, Lakeside Theatre
01206 573948/01206 873288
11th December
Christmas Show Time 2011
Magical Christmas show guaranteed to get you in the festive spirit. 4.30pm. £7/£8.50. Charter Hall, 01206 282020
16th December
A Christmas Carol
Arts
Centre Director Anthony Roberts performs a live reading of the Dickens classic,
with piano accompaniment. All proceeds go to Colchester Night Shelter. 7pm. £5.
Colchester Arts Centre
01206 500900
17th December
The Very Snowy Christmas
The story of a little mouse enjoying Christmas for the first time. Ages 3-7. 1.30pm. £3.95. Colchester Arts Centre 01206 500900
21st December
Hansel and Gretel
Krazy Kat Theatre present this fast moving comedy. Age 3-7. 11am/1.30pm. £4.95. Colchester Arts Centre 01206 500900
22nd December
The Night Before Christmas
A traditional look at some little known Christmas tales. 11am/1.30pm. £4.95. Colchester Arts Centre 01206 500900
14th January
Jactito Theatre: Rat A Tat Tat
Come and see this fun show presented by Jactito Theatre. Age 4+. £3.95. Colchester Arts Centre 01206 500900
28th January
Elliot and the Land of Rhymes
Brought
you by Bangers & Mash Theatre Company. Age 2-5. 1.30pm. £3.95. Colchester Arts
Centre
01206 500900
29th January
The Selfish Giant
Told using beautifully crafted puppets and a brilliant soundtrack. Age 4+. 2pm. £5. University of Essex, Lakeside Theatre 01206 873288
EPPING
19th December
The Very Snowy Christmas
With live music, beautiful puppets and a stunning snowy set which comes to life before your eyes; this is the perfect gift for Christmas! Suitable for all ages. 11.30am/2.30pm. £5/£9. Epping Forest Arts, Epping Hall 01992 564226
FINGRINGHOE
16th-18th February
Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs
Fingringhoe Drama Group present this traditional story with a bit of a twist. 7.30pm/2.30pm. £4/£6/£18. Fingringhoe Village Hall 0757 894 6497
FELIXSTOWE
7th – 10th December
The Sound of Music
Felixstowe Musical Theatre proudly presents the world’s most beloved musical. Various times and prices.The Spa Pavilion 01394 282126
17th December – 2nd January
Mother Goose
With hilarious characters, a giant goose, an outrageous dame and, of course, an evil baddie! Various times and prices. The Spa Pavilion 01394 282126
11th February
Thomas the Tank Engine
Fun
children’s classic. Age 0-7. Various times and prices.The Spa Pavilion
01394 282126
GRAYS
7th December – 7th January
Aladdin
Come
and see this pantomime classic, perfect for the whole family. Various times.
£14/£17/£58.
Civic Hall 0845 300 5264
HARLOW
19th November
Chris & Pui Roadshow 2011
Join Chris and Pui in this fabulous new roadshow packed with songs, games and a few surprises along the way. 11am/2pm. £11/£13/£44 Harlow Playhouse 01279 431945
20th November
The Nutcracker
Performed by The State Ballet Academy of Minsk. Harlow Playhouse, Playhouse Square, Harlow CM20 1LS. 01279 431 945.
2nd December to 2nd January
Peter Pan
Amazing sets, costumes, live music, routines, laughter and flying. Suitable for all ages. Various times and prices. Harlow Playhouse 01279 431945
HALSTEAD
4th December
Potted Panto
Seven classic pantos in eighty minutes. Suitable for all ages. 3pm. £8.50. Empire Theatre 07778 025490
HORNCHURCH
19th Nov
Friend or Foe
An exciting tale of friendship which follows the adventures of two young boys evacuated from London during the Second World War. Ages 8+. 3pm. £10/£12. Queen’s Theatre 01708 443333
3rd December
Skull and Crossbones - Potty Pirates
Bring your little pirates along for mad magic, barmy
balloon models, crazy comedy and goofy games. Age 3-9. 12pm. £5. Queen’s Theatre
01708 443333
3rd December – 14th January
Cinderella
Expect magic, mayhem and comedy capers from your favourite
panto characters! Suitable for all ages. Various times and prices.
Queen’s Theatre 01708 443333
18th February
Andy and Mike’s Big Box of Bananas
Andy Day, BAFTA nominated CBeebies Presenter and the star
of Andy’s Wild Adventures brings his much loved humour to this fast-paced
children’s comedy, full of hilarious slap stick. Age 3+. 2pm. £10.50/£11.50.
Queen’s Theatre 01708 443333
ILFORD
17th December – 22nd January
Jack and the Beanstalk
You’ll love this panto classic full of brilliant costumes,
characters and festive frolics. 1pm/4.30pm in December (January showings times
vary). Various prices.
Kenneth More Theatre 020 8553 4466
IPSWICH
Until 28th January
Robin Hood & the Babes in the Wood
Panto classic with a rock and roll twist. For all ages. Various times and prices. New Wolsey Theatre 01473 295900
3rd December
Ipswich’s Got Talent
A variety of talents from right across town. 7.30pm. £6/£10/£25. Ipswich Regent 01473 433100
6th – 31st December
Penguin
Penguin is exiting, surreal and full of surprises! Age 2-7. 11am/2pm/3.30pm. £7. New Wolsey Theatre 01473 295900
17th December
Ipswich Sings Christmas!
Ipswich Choral Society’s annual Christmas community
concert.
7.30pm. £3/£7/£9. Ipswich Regent 01473 433100
17th – 23rd December
The Wizard of Oz
Follow Dorothy and her pet dog Toto on this magical adventure. For all ages. Times and prices vary. Ipswich Regent 01473 433100
27th – 31st December
Cinderella on Ice
A dazzling performance of the classic fairytale with a twist. Suitable for all ages. Various times and prices. Ipswich Regent 01473 433100
21st – 22nd January
Chinese State Circus
A breathtaking fusion of precision acrobatics, martial arts and dazzling circus skills! All ages. Times and prices vary. Ipswich Regent 01473 433100
10th February
Superslam Wrestling
Two hours of nonstop action from the best of British & American wrestling stars. 7.30pm. £10/£15/£45. Ipswich Regent 01473 433100
23rd February
Giselle
The most poignant of all classical ballets combines powerful emotions and visual splendour in a chilling and heart-rending tale. 7.30pm. Various prices. Ipswich Regent 01473 433100
24th February
Swan Lake
An immortal love story filled with magic, emotion and beauty. 7.30pm. Various prices. Ipswich Regent 01473 433100.
25th February
The Nutcracker
This most famous of fantasy ballets begins as night falls on a traditional fireside scene on Christmas Eve. 2.30pm/7.30pm. Various prices. Ipswich Regent 01473 433100
LONDON
11th Nov- 4th Feb
Charlotte’s Web
E.B. White’s classic tale is brought to life with magic, excitement, songs and unforgettable characters. Ages 5-11. £10/£14/£16. Polka Theatre 020 8543 4888
6th December – 22nd January
Matthew Bourne’s Nutcracker!
This story follows Clara’s bittersweet journey from a hilariously bleak Christmas Eve at Dr. Dross’ Orphanage, through a shimmering, ice-skating winter wonderland to the scrumptious candy kingdom of Sweetieland. Suitable for all ages. 2.30pm/7.30pm. £10-£60. Sadler’s Wells 0844 412 4300
3rd-30th December
Ring a Ding Ding
Britain’s best-loved creators of theatre for young people -
return with an immersive, interactive and multi-sensory show for children. Age
3-6. Various times. £9/£11/£32.
Unicorn Theatre 020 7645 0560
Until 8th January
The Snowman
A modern classic, delighting children with its enchanting mix of storytelling, spectacle and magic. Suitable for all ages. 11am/2.30pm/7pm. £12-£32. Peacock Theatre 0844 412 4322
17th – 29th January
Scarecrow
A tale told in AJTC Theatre Company’s distinctive style
through movement, puppetry, live music and fun. Age 5+. Various times.
£9/£11/£32.
Unicorn Theatre 020 7645 0560
21st – 25th February
Potato Needs a Bath
A light-hearted, gentle and highly visual treat featuring
fruit, veg and original music. Age 3-5. Various times. £9.
Polka Theatre 020 8543 4888
MALDON
20th, 21st, 27th & 28th January
Sleeping Beauty
Maldon Pantomime Society present this classic tale. Various
times and prices. Maldon Town Halll.
www.mapspanto.org.uk
RAYLEIGH
1st - 3rd Dec
Jack and the Beanstalk
RODS presents this well loved pantomime for all the family. Various times. £8/£10. The Mill Arts & Events Centre 01268 771751
SNAPE MALTINGS
16th – 21st December
Christmas Spectacular!
The Co-op Juniors Theatre Company bring you 100 performers, stunning staging and amazing effects in an explosion of music, dance and fantasy. Various times. £13/£16/£19. Snape Maltings Concert Hall 01728 687110
SOUTHEND
20-21st November
The Very Hungry Caterpillar
A lovely story that follows the adventures of a tiny and hungry caterpillar that progresses through an amazing variety of foods before he eventually morphs into a beautiful butterfly. 10am/12noon/2.30pm. £11. Cliffs Pavilion 01702 351135
16th - 19th November
Beauty and the Beast
A lavish stage adaption of the animated Walt Disney film. Brimming with outstanding musical numbers from the film. This magical musical is guaranteed to enchant audiences of all ages. Cliffs Pavalion, Station Road, Southend on Sea SS0 7RA. 01702 351 135
10th – 31st December
Aladdin
Guaranteed to keep the whole family laughing, Shane Ritchie
will be leading the cast this year with comedy, stunning sets and amazing
costumes. Various times. £15-£29.50.
Cliffs Pavilion 01702 351135
11th December
Southend Girls Choir Southend Vox
A feast of seasonal favourites guaranteed to get you in the right mood for Christmas. Suitable for all ages. £9. 7pm. Cliffs Pavilion 01702 351135
19th -21st December
One Snowy Night
A snuggly, heart-warming story, with songs to sing along
to, furry friends to meet and blankets to be tucked up in. Age 3+.
10.30am/1.30am/4pm. £11.50/£42.
Palace Theatre 01702 351135
7th January
Superslam Wrestling
This heated two hours of family-friendly, action-packed
entertainment is guaranteed to appeal to all ages. £10.50/£15.50/£47. 3pm.
Cliffs Pavilion 01702 351135
9th January
Circus of Horrors
The Show that Rocked Britain’s Got Talent is back with a
new Awe inspiring, Jaw dropping, sensation. £16.50/£22/£26. 7.30pm.
Cliffs Pavilion 01702 351135
11th-15th January
Cinderella
With all the ingredients of the traditional family
pantomime with comedy characters, some slapstick, rousing songs, a hero, a
heroine and naturally some ugly sisters. 2.30pm/7.30pm. From £9.
The Palace Theatre 01702 351135
STOWMARKET
11th December
Maypoles to Mistletoe
A journey through the seasons in folk music, dance, song & story. 7.30pm. £2/£6, Regal Theatre 01449 61282
17th & 18th February
Aladdin
Come and enjoy this family classic, full of festive fun! 2.30pm/7.30pm. £4/£6. Needham Market Community Centre, Needham Market IP6 8BB 07702 339971/01449 720430/01449 723171
SUDBURY
16th – 26th December
Babes in the Wood
Auntie O struggles to keep the two babes safe from the wicked Sheriff and Prince John. For all ages. Various times and prices. The Quay 01787 374745
THURROCK
7th-31st December
Aladdin
Come and see this classic pantomime that’s full of all the usual panto silliness plus more. Suitable for all ages. Various times and prices. Thameside Theatre, Grays 0845 300 5264
15th February
Rumplestiltkin
Come and enjoy this traditional classic. 1pm/3.30pm. £7/£8.
Thameside Theatre 0845 300 5264
WITHAM
21st – 24th December
Cinderella
Come along and see this classic panto! 1pm/30m/7pm. Various prices. The Essex Group www.thesxgroup.co.uk