Christmas Pantomimes in Essex

PUBLISHED: 10:54 12 December 2016 | UPDATED: 10:55 12 December 2016

Jeremy Gunnell

Archant

Christmas isn't complete without rounding up the family for a trip to see a pantomime. This year there's a multitude of wonderful, festive performances taking place all over Essex.

1. Beauty and the Beast

Venue: Ingatestone & Fryerning Community Centre

Date: 25 – 27 November 2016

Young Expressions, an award winning youth theatre group, will be bringing music, magic and fun to Ingatestone this Christmas with the children’s classic ‘Beauty and the Beast’. Tickets go on sale from November 7 and the production is suitable for the whole family to enjoy.

2. Dick Whittington

Venue: Mercury Theatre, Colchester

Date: 26 November 2016 - 8 January 2017

The heart warming rags-to-riches tale of Dick Whittington will be brought to life this festive season at Colchester’s Mercury Theatre. The show will be complete with special effects, plenty of slapstick comedy and a few familiar faces from last year’s production of Aladdin.

3. Cinderella

Venue: The Mill Arts & Events Centre, Rayleigh

Date: 1 December - 3 December 2016

We all know and love the story of Cinderella. If you pay a visit to The Mill Arts & Events Centre this December, you can see the traditional tale performed on stage by the super talented Rayleigh Operatic and Dramatic Society. Tickets are available from the Box Office on 01268 771751.

4. Jack and the Beanstalk

Venue: Civic Theatre, Chelmsford

Date: 2 December 2016 – 2 January 2017

Fee-Fi-Fo-Fum… Jack and the Beanstalk is set to bring festive cheer in gigantic proportions to Chelmsford’s Civic Theatre this winter. From glamorous costumes and energetic dance routines to family sing-alongs, this panto is a “must-see” date for the diary.

5. Beauty and the Beast

Venue: Harlow Playhouse, Harlow

Date: 3rd Dec 2016 to 4th Jan 2017

Harlow Playhouse favourites Kevin James and Jimmy Burton-Iles return to the stage this year to bring you Beauty and the Beast as you’ve never seen it before. A thrilling and innovative performance with beautiful songs and lavish sets, it’s sure to be a show you will never forget.

6. Jack and the Beanstalk and his Fairy Tale Friends

Venue: Zinc Arts, Chipping Ongar

Date: 3rd Dec 2016 to 22nd Dec 2016

The incredible entertainers at Stage One Theatre Group bring your favourite characters to life with their quirky twist on a beloved childhood classic. It’s Jack and the Beanstalk as you’ve never seen it before – the perfect pre-Christmas treat for you and the kids.

7. Robinson Crusoe & the Caribbean Pirates,

Venue: Cliffs Pavilion, Westcliff-on-Sea

Date: 10th Dec 2016 to 8th Jan 2017

After an incredible performance in Cinderella last year, Brian Conley returns to Southend to star in the title role of Robinson Crusoe. Full of laugh-out-loud comedy that will leave your sides splitting and jaws aching, even Gok Wan will make an appearance as the Spirit of the Ocean.

8. Sleeping Beauty

Venue: Princes Theatre, Clacton-on-Sea

Date: 10th Dec 2016 to 1st Jan 2017

Who doesn’t love the story of Sleeping Beauty? This classic fairytale promises to be a wonderful performance and a magical evening that will enchant the whole family.

9. Aladdin

Venue: The Bocking Arts Theatre, Braintree

Date: 16th Dec 2016 to 24th Dec 2016

Full of songs, dancing and plenty of laughter, Starstruck Theatre School will transport you to the streets of Agrabah in their performance of Aladdin. It promises lots of audience participation for the kids (and the adults) to get involved in.

10. Through the Looking Glass

Venue: Brentwood Theatre, Brentwood

Date: 10th December to 31st December 2016

Join Alice & White Rabbit on their fabulous journey into the realms of Wonderland, and be transported into a zany world of mixed-up nursery rhymes with old friends and new, whilst enjoying the interactive, catchy songs

11. Sleeping Beauty

Venue: Hylands House & Estate, Chelmsford

Date: 28th December 2016

The Panto Bus makes its return to Hylands this year with their take on the timeless, traditional fairytale classic, Sleeping Beauty. Expect a performance full of mischief and wonder.

12. A Christmas Carol by Candlelight

Venue: Colchester Arts Centre, Colchester

Date: 23rd December 2016

Colchester Arts Centre Director Anthony Roberts’ brings you a traditional rendition of the Dickens classic, along with musical accompaniment by Jamie Cunliffe. Hear this wonderful tale in the beautiful surroundings of a Victorian church, with the only lights provided by candles!

If the shows listed above don’t take your fancy, there’s still plenty to choose from!

Colchester

Show: Silver Moon

Venue: Colchester Arts Centre

Date: 26th November 2016

Westcliff-on-Sea

Show: Beauty and the Beast

Venue: Palace Theatre

Date: 20th Jan 2017 to 22nd Jan 2017

Colchester

Show: Rapunzel

Venue: Colchester Arts Centre