It’s that time of the year again (oh no it isn’t…) where fun and frolics arrive at our theatres, so we’ve rounded up some of the best family friendly performances that are taking place over the Christmas period
PUSS IN BOOTS
Chippy's twist on this classic tale, set in 1950s London, is stuffed full of daring escapes, ruthless robberies and spectacular car chases. It will be a fast and furr-ious adventure!
When: November 13-January 12, 2020
Where: The Theatre Chipping Norton, OX7 5NL, tel: 01608 642350, chippingnortontheatre.com
Tickets: Prices vary, but from £13 for adults and from £9.50 for concessions, and at relaxed performances all tickets cost £9.50 (and a carer goes free).
CINDERELLA
The original rags to riches story stars a host of actors, including Courtney-Brogan Smalley as Cinderella; Tweedy as Buttons; Sam Murphy as Prince Charming; Kevin Brewis and Steven Roberts as the Ugly Sisters; Annalise Liard Bailey as the Fairy Godmother and Kane Verrall as Dandini.
When: November 29-January 12, 2020
Where: Everyman Theatre, Cheltenham, GL50 1HQ, tel: 01242 572573, everymantheatre.org.uk
Tickets: from £5 to £33.
BEAUTY AND THE BEAST
Meet Beauty - smart as a whip, bold as brass, and with a heart of pure gold. She's the opposite of the Beast - gruff, rough and in need of a shave. But when Beauty finds herself trapped in a magical castle with the Beast, the two of them have to learn to get along.
When: November 29-January 12, 2020
Where: Oxford Playhouse, OX1 2LW, tel: 01865 305305, oxfordplayhouse.com
Tickets: From £15 to £34.
ALADDIN
Get ready to journey to the exotic Far East for an adventure like no other! Complete with all of the magic and sparkle you've come to expect, the cast will transport you to a world of music, mayhem and fun.
When: November 30-January 4, 2020
Where: Roses Theatre, Tewkesbury, tel: 01684 295074, rosestheatre.org
Tickets: From £15 to £25.
SNOW WHITE AND THE SEVEN DWARFS
Can beautiful Snow White escape the reaches of her evil Stepmother, the Wicked Queen Grizelda, and find safety with her seven trusty friends deep in the heart of the forest? Join the Worcester Repertory Company for this all-singing, all-dancing spectacular!
When: December 2-January 5, 2020
Where: The Swan Theatre, Worcester, tel: 01905 611427, worcester-rep.co.uk
Tickets: £13.95 to £17.95
PINOCCHIO
Follow the enchanting tale of a wooden puppet as he embarks on his quest to become a real boy - be prepared for encounters with dodgy foxes, a fun factory, a nosy cricket, a blue fairy and a whale at the bottom of the ocean.
When: 6 December - 4 January
Where: Gloucester Guildhall, Gloucester, tel: 01452 503050, gloucesterguildhall.co.uk
Tickets: standard dates are £12 for adults and £8 for children, and premium dates are £15 for adults and £10 for children
DICK WHITTINGTON
A magical family pantomime, with comedy, spectacle, live music and plenty of audience participation, and led by soap-sensation and musical theatre star Shane Richie.
When: December 7-January 5, 2020
Where: Bristol Hippodrome, tel: 0844 871 3012, atgtickets.com/Bristol
Tickets: from £13.
SLEEPING BEAUTY
Join The Crown Players for fun and frolics that's guaranteed not to send you to sleep!
When: December 18-21
Where: The Kings Theatre, Gloucester, GL1 1QX, tel: 01452 300130, kingstheatregloucester.co.uk
Tickets: Advance tickets £10 (adult); £9 (concessions - students and over 60s); £5 (under 16s)
ROBINSON CRUSOE AND THE PIRATES
Join Promenade Productions on a journey to a far sunnier land, with promises of plenty of audience participation, a loveable dame, colourful costumes and lots of laughs.
When: January 16-19
Where: The Bacon Theatre, Dean Close School, Cheltenham, tel: 01242 258002, bacontheatre.co.uk
Tickets: £11 to £16.
BABES IN THE WOOD
When Cedric is killed in the Crusades, his brother, the Sheriff of Nottingham, becomes responsible for Cedric's children, but he is more interested in their inheritance than their welfare…
When: January 16-18 and 23-25
Where: Cotswold Playhouse, Stroud, GL5 1LW, tel: 0333 666 3366, cotswoldplayhouse.co.uk
Tickets: from £13 for adults or £7 for under 16s.
