Oh yes they are! Best Hampshire pantomimes
Get the lowdown on what’s on where and who’s starring, with Muddy’s guide to 2024 pantomimes in Hampshire and a bit beyond.
Cinderella, Fri 13 December 2024 – Sun 5 January 2025, Fareham Live
Cinders is all glammed up and ready to have a ball at Hampshire’s newest arts and entertainment venue, Fareham Live. Joining musical theatre star Rhiannon Bacchus will be a host of familiar faces including Britain’s Got Talent comedian and impressionist Paul Burling as Buttons and Strictly and Dancing With the Stars‘ AJ & Curtis Pritchard as Prince Charming and Dandini.
Jack and the Beanstalk, Sat 14 December 2024 – Sun 5 January 2025, The Mayflower Theatre, Southampton
Fee, fi, fo, fum! Celeb street dancer Ashley Banjo and the Diversity crew are back at The Mayflower to lead this year’s pantomime as Jack and the Trot Family. Starring alongside them are stand-up comedian Kev Orkian as Silly Simon, Anne Smith as the evil Mrs Blunderbore and Lauren Hampton as Princess Jill.
Mother Goose, Sat 30 November 2024 – Sun 5 Jan 2025, Theatre Royal Winchester
Gather the flock and see veteran pantomime dame Julian Eardley return for an impressive fifteenth turn as Mother Goose in this family-friendly production at the Theatre Royal Winchester. Packed with corny jokes and plenty of audience participation, the search is on for the Goose that lays the golden eggs.
Dick Whittington, The Kings Theatre Portsmouth, Fri 29 – Sun 31 December
Roll out the barrel! Eastenders star and former Portsmouth local Lorraine Stanley is in town to play big bad Queen Rat in this year’s Great Pompey Panto at The Kings Theatre in Southsea. Staring alongside her, Britain’s Got Talent winner George Sampson will seek his fortune as Dick Whittington while Pompey Panto legend Jack Edwards (above) will cause general havoc as the irrepressible and unpredictable Dame Dolly.
Sleeping Beauty, Thurs 12 – Sun 31 December 2024, The Anvil, Basingstoke
Wakey, wakey! Nodding off in a bewitched slumber in Basingstoke this December, Princess Rose is in need of a true-love smooch. Luckily, her prince (played by actor Tyger Drew-Honey, Jake in BBC’s Outnumbered) has been drafted in for the rescue mission. There’s more help on hand for Rose from a kindly Fairy Snowfall (aka CBeebies Joanna Adeyinka-Burford, above) and the ever-comical Chris Pizzey, best known as Mr Stephen in the CBBC series, Basil Brush.
Beauty and The Beast, Friday 13 December 2024 – Sun 5 January 2025, The New Theatre Royal, Portsmouth
After shining at open auditions, talented young dancers and performers from local dance schools will perform in the junior ensemble at this year’s madcap New Theatre Royal pantomime (proud parent alert!). Starring alongside them will be Dame Dotty (Chris Aucket) and her son, Potty Pierre, guaranteed to cause delightful chaos at the Beast’s chateau.
Cinderella, Sat 7 December 2024 – Sun 5 January 2025, The Hexagon, Reading
Ha, ha! It’s only just Mister Tumble, aka Justin Fletcher! A demigod on the panto circuit, Mr T is back at The Hexagon, a nudge over the Berks border in Reading, for a brand-spanking new production of Cinderella. New for this year (and for the first time ever), the panto is going digital with spellbinding moving backdrops. Magic.
Jack and the Beanstalk, Sat 7 December 2024 – Sun 5 January 2025, Bournemouth Pavilion
How’s this for a pantomime villain? A giant of a panto over the Dorset border, Jack and the Beanstalk stars Corrie bad boy Joel Deering (aka Calum Lill) as the villainous Fleshcreep, Milkshake! presenter David Ribi as Jack, and Bournemouth panto fave Noel Brodie as Silly Simon.