We lift the curtain on the festive season’s theatre productions across the region.
November 27th – January 27th
OLIVER!
Lionel Bart took the Charles Dickens tale and gave it a musical life all of its own, with riproaring songs including Food Glorious Food, Consider Yourself, Oom Pah-Pah and I’d Do Anything. It’s a grand choice for a Christmas show (Leeds Playhouse famously doesn’t ‘do’ panto), directed by James Brining.
Leeds Playhouse, leedsplayhouse.org.uk
December 1st – 30th
BEAUTY AND THE BEAST
Nick Lane has adapted the classic tale in his own inimitable way, setting it in the magical town of Scarbolopolis (note: not 'Scarbados'). A show for all the family — age guidance is 6+, but younger children are welcome — that's "full of familiar songs, silliness and festive fun."
Stephen Joseph Theatre, Scarborough sjt.uk.com
December 6th - January 7th
RAPUNZEL
The age-old story about a lonely princess trapped in a tower but longing for a life of adventure in the outside world. It will have all the hallmarks of a 'proper' Richmond pantomime at the lovely Georgian Theatre. Expect amazing song and dance routines, fantastic sets and special effects, huge amounts of laughter and much audience participation
The Georgian Theatre Royal, Richmond georgiantheatreroyal.co.uk
December 8th - January 7th
JACK AND THE BEANSTALK
EastEnders and Goodness Gracious Me star Nina Wadia leads the cast of Jack and the Beanstalk, this year’s fe-fi-fo-FUN family pantomime at York Theatre Royal. Nina, in her first panto for 35 years, will play Fairy Sugarsnap. She’s joined by Robin Simpson, who returns as the Dame – Dame Trott, this time - and Scottish actor James Mackenzie, best known as the presenter of CBBC’s fantasy adventure game show Raven, as the villainous Luke Backinanger.
York Theatre Royal yorktheatreroyal.co.uk
December 12th - 16th
SANTA MUST DIE!
Leeds Playhouse’s main Christmas extravaganza this year is a — literally — all singing, all dancing production of Lionel Bart’s Oliver! (November 24 – January 27, 2024). But if you want something with a more alternative flavour — and, with a title like Santa Must Die!, it certainly sounds subversive — then this show (which had its first outing in 2021) could be just the thing for you. It’s been described as “a raucous gig theatre show for the gig economy at most difficult time of the year.”
Leeds Playhouse leedsplayhouse.org.uk
December 19th
A CHRISTMAS CAROL
Actor Dominic Gerrard brings his five-star one-man performance of Dickens’ A Christmas Carol to Harrogate’s Wesley Centre on the 180th anniversary of the publication of the seminal Christmas tale. Acclaimed as a ‘worthy rival to Simon Callow’ and adored by Dickens’ actor, Miriam Margolyes, it’s not to be missed. The matinee and evening performance are raising funds too for the Harrogate Homeless Project.
Wesley Centre, Harrogate eventbrite.co.uk
