It’s pantomime season – oh yes it is!
It’s a Christmas tradition for so many to go and see a pantomime during the festive season, and York has no shortage of fantastic family shows to go and see.
The pantomime mayhem kicked off last night with the first performance of Aladdin at York Theatre Royal – take a look at our guide below to see where and when you can catch York’s brilliant pantomime and festive show offerings.
Fantastic family pantomimes
Aladdin
What’s it about?
Aladdin promises to be York Theatre Royal’s most magical pantomime ever, with lavish sets, joyous comedy and spellbinding special effects. From same team that brought to life Jack and the Beanstalk last year, writer Paul Hendy and director Juliet Forster, it’s set to take you to a whole new world.
Who’s in it?
Cbeebies and CBBC superstar Evie Pickerill, York favourites Robin Simpson as the Dame and Paul Hawkyard as the villainous Ivan Tobebooed, West End star Sario Solomon as the titular Aladdin, the sensational Emily Tang as Princess Jasmine and the hilarious Tommy Carmichael as Charlie.
Where is it?
York Theatre Royal, St. Leonard’s Place, York, YO1 7HD
When is it?
Tuesday 3 December 2024 – Sunday 5 January 2025
Running time?
2 hours 20 mins (includes interval)
How much are tickets?
Tickets start from £15 and go up to £44. There are also family tickets available for all performances. £81 for bookings with three tickets, including at least one adult and one under 16, saving up to £49. £108 for bookings with four tickets, including at least one adult and one under 16, saving up to £66.
Beauty and The Beast
What’s it about?
Join Belle, The Beast, Fairy Bon Bon, the exuberant Polly La Plonk and her cheeky chappy son Louis La Plonk as they are transported to a cursed castle, under the spell of an evil enchantress. Can the wicked Hugo be defeated, can Belle see beyond the Beast and fall in love with her captor, will the Beast’s heart be melted by Belle’s beauty?
Who’s in it?
Tracy Beaker herself Dani Harmer stars as Fairy Bon Bon, with Six The Musical star Jennifer Caldwell as Belle, Les Miserables star Samuel Wyn-Morris at The Prince, dame extraordinaire Leon Craig as Polly La Plonk, comedian Phil Reid as Louis La Plonk, and theatre stars Phil Atkinson as the dastardly Hugo Pompidou and David Alcock as Clement.
Where is it?
Grand Opera House York, Cumberland Street, York, YO1 9SW
When is it?
Saturday 7 December 2024 – Sunday 5 January 2025
How much are tickets?
Tickets start from £15 and go up to £67.
Mother Goose
What’s it about?
It’s market day and Mother Goose needs to make rent before the ever nasty Demon Darkheart evicts the Goose family. Meantime Jack’s exciting new addition to the farm – Priscilla the Goose – has stopped production in Jill’s hen house. Comedy, song and dance in this very silly rollicking romp of a family pantomime from Rowntree Players.
Who’s in it?
It stars YorkMix‘s very own Laura Castle as Jill Gander! Joining Laura are Michael Cornell as Gertrude Gander, Gemma McDonald as Jack Gander, Jamie McKeller as Demon Darkheart, Sara Howlett as Kev (aka The King of Kale), Laura McKeller as Bob Bingalong, Holly Smith as Fairy Fritatta, and Abbey Follansbee as Priscilla.
Where is it?
Joseph Rowntree Theatre, Haxby Road, York, YO31 8TA
When is it?
Saturday 7 – Saturday 14 December 2024
How much are tickets?
£18 – £20
More festive shows
There are more festive tales full of family fun – including Jack Frost’s Christmas Wish at the Pocklington Arts Centre (Thursday 12 to Tuesday 24 December, tickets from £10). Maybe the stories you’ve heard about Jack Frost might not be all true – this frosty adventure features feel-good tunes and plenty of fun. Tickets available here.
Bring the whole family to the Christmas spectacular Cirquoise at Langlands Garden Centre (Saturday 14 December to Sunday 5 January 2025). Expect dazzling displays to death-defying acrobatics, jugglers, clowns, Crossbow skills and awesome contortionists. You can get your tickets here.
Pick Me Up Theatre bring a festive adaptation of Charles Dickens’ much loved novel Oliver Twist to Theatre@41, Monkgate (Tuesday 17 to Monday 30 December, tickets from £14). A story of courage in adversity, Oliver Twist is a classic tale that brings a large dose of Christmas cheer and festive sparkle! Get your tickets here.
Riding Lights bring their Christmas show A Christmas Cracker to Friargate Theatre from Saturday 21 to Tuesday 24 December. Join Cracker, Ebeneezer and Mrs McGinty in an adventure you’ll never forget! Tickets are £12.50 and are available here.
Further afield
If you fancy journeying out of York in search of a seasonal show, don’t miss Leeds Playhouse’s festive offering The Lion, The Witch, and The Wardrobe (Wednesday 18 November 2024 to Saturday 25 January 2025). Step through the wardrobe into the kingdom of Narnia for the most mystical of adventures in a faraway land, with tickets from £15. Need more convincing – read our review here.
Badapple Theatre in association with Rural Arts ON Tour are touring around Yorkshire with Sleeping Beauty & The Beast – three actors, two pantomimes and one hour…what could possibly go wrong? Catch them in various venues around Yorkshire from Friday 13 December 2024 to Sunday 5 January 2025. Get your tickets here.
Next year
And the festive fun continues into 2025 – so you’ll have more Christmassy shows and pantomime antics to look forward to in the cold January and February months!
Blue Light Theatre bring a sprinkling of magic to Acomb Working Men’s Club with Where The Magic Begins (Wednesday 29 January to Saturday 1 February 2025) – have you ever wondered how the Fairy Godmother got her powers? How she became Cinderella’s Godmother? Or, why the Wicked Stepmother became so ‘Wicked’? Find out by booking your tickets here.
The Wilberfoss Amateur Theatre Society present their second community village pantomime The Wizard of Wilberfoss at the Wilberfoss Community Centre from Saturday 22 to Sunday 23 February 2025. Get ready for a bonkers local pantomime that all the family will enjoy! Tickets start from £3 and are available to book here.