 | | SEE ALSO | | Our What's On Guide Theatre page | | | WEB LINKS | | Alban Arena Milton Keynes Theatre Wycombe Swan Gordon Craig Theatre Leighton Buzzard Theatre The BBC is not responsible for the content of external websites. | | | ESSENTIAL INFO | | The term pantomime in most other parts of the world refers to the silent art of mime.
The art of English pantomime is quite different and much more boisterous.
Originating in the 17th century, but more closely associated with burlesque during the reign of Queen Victoria, it gradually developed into its current form - a comic play based on a fairy tale and performed at Christmas.
Traditionally, the hero is a young woman, comic characters (usually men) are dressed in drag and the baddie is always booing and hiss-worthy.
The play invites audience participation, actions and responses ("Oh, no it doesn't!" "Oh yes it does!").
The panto is a quintessentially English Christmas experience - not to be missed! | |  |
| | Here's our comprehensive list of pantomimes in Beds, Herts and Bucks. Beds | Herts | Bucks  Beds
Peter Pan
Luton
The Griffin Players are thrilled to announce that their Annual pantomime will be the magical and ever popular story of Peter Pan. The all-new script has been especially written to remain true beloved characters and situations from J.M. Barries classic tale but with all the fun and excitement of a traditional panto that youngster of all ages will love.  Read our review of last year performance
Library Theatre, St. Georges Square, Luton
2nd - 10th December 2005
Tickets: £8 adult and £5 children
Box Office: 07906 075455
www.griffinplayers.com
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Herts
Jack and the Beanstalk
Potters Bar Jack spills the beans in this traditional panto.
The Wyllyotts Centre
13th December 2005 - 1st January 2006
Box Office: 01707 645005
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Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs
Stevenage
 | | Shane Lynch with Sarah Shepherd |
Mirror Mirror, on the wall, what's the best-loved Panto of them all? It's 'Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs' and it's coming to The Gordon Craig Theatre this Christmas. This all-singing, all-dancing family show brings you an enchanting twist to this much loved fairy tale. Starring Shayne Lynch & Paul Laidlaw Read our interview with Shane Lynch Panto-meter 2005: Read our review The Gordon Craig Theatre, Stevenage
Saturday 26 November 2005 - Saturday 4 February 2006 Box Office: 08700 131030
www.stevenage-leisure.co.uk |
Peter Pan
St Albans
 | | Leslie Grantham is hooked on Dani lets hope he doesn't Harmer. |
This year Peter Pan looks set to hook the audience at the Alban Arena. With Leslie Grantham starring and directing and Dani Harmer flying onto stage, the panto hopes to provide all the right festive entertainment. Read our interview with Dani Harmer Read our interview with Leslie Grantham
The Alban Arena, St Albans
16th December - Sunday 8th January 2006
Box Office: 01727 844488
www.alban-arena.co.uk
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Pinocchio
St Albans The Company of Ten presents Pinocchio by John Morley. The story of the puppet-boy with the extending nose is well known from stage ands screen adaptations. This is a version which will appeal to all ages from the very young upwards and will guarantee true family entertainment for the festive season. The Abbey Theatre
Friday 16th December to Friday 30th December 2006
Box Office: 01727 857861
Abbey Theatre
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Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs
Rickmansworth  | | Bernie Clifton stars as Muddles (with his ostrich Oswald sharing centre stage) and Nikki Kelly from BBC 1's Hi De Hi plays the Wicked Queen. |
Following on from the success of Cinderella and Peter Pan, the same winning team are working hard to ensure that Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs will be full of magic, spectacle and fun. Legendary comedian Bernie Clifton stars as Muddles (with his ostrich Oswald sharing centre stage) and Nikki Kelly from BBC 1's Hi De Hi plays the Wicked Queen. Stunning scenery, beautiful costumes, live music and the Star Puppets will all guarantee that Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs is just the sort of high quality traditional pantomime that everyone has come to expect from Watersmeet Theatre.
Watersmeet Theatre Rickmansworth
Sunday 11 December and runs until Saturday 31 December
Box Office: 01923 711063
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Bucks
Beauty and the Beast
Aylesbury The Magical Family Pantomime starring Birds of a Feather star Linda Robson as Witch Hazel. With Dean Read as The Beast Suzanne David as Beauty Simon Howe as Madame Fifi and Richard Carr from Mix96 as Louis
Aylesbury Civic Centre, Market Square, Aylesbury
15th Dec 2005 to 2nd Jan 2006
Box Office: 01296 486009
Aylesbury Civic Theatre |
Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs
Milton Keynes  | | Suzanne Shaw to impress! |
This dazzling all-new pantomime is set to transform Milton Keynes as this magical fairytale melts your heart when the beautiful Snow White meets her Prince Charming. With glittering costumes, fantastic sets, sidesplitting comedy and lots lots more this is the perfect winter warmer for Christmas 2005 through to the New Years celebrations of 2006. Starring Richard O'Brien (Rocky Horror & Crystal Maze), Suzanne Shaw (Hear'Say), Toyah Willcox, Warrick Davies (Harry Potter) and Duncan Breeze (A Night at the Musicals) Read our interview with Suzanne Shaw Read our interview with Richard O'Brien Panto-meter 2005: Read our review
Milton Keynes Theatre, Milton Keynes
9th Dec 2005 to 15th Jan 2006
Tickets from £12 to £21 concessions available
Box Office: 01908 606090
www.miltonkeynestheatre.com
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Babes In The Wood
Chesham Chesham Bois Catholic Players are proud to present "BABES IN THE WOOD" at the Elgiva Theatre, Chesham. The forthcoming pantomime has been professionally written and promises to be a great family show with music, dancing and good old-fashioned humour that all ages will enjoy. Come and transport yourselves back to medieval times when Robin Hood and his merry men roamed Sherwood Forest and join in the fun with Nurse Nitwit and don't forget to boo the evil Sherrif of Nottingham!
The Elgiva Theatre, St Marys Way, Chesham
Friday 13th January 2006 7.30pm, Saturday 14th at 2.30pm and 6.30pm, Sunday 15th at 2.30pm, Friday 20th at 7.30pm and Saturday 21st at 2.30pm and 6.30pm. Prices: £10 adult, £7.50 children under 14 and OAPs, family ticket (2 adults, 2 children) £30, also 1 ticket free for every 10 purchased!
CBCP Box Office, 11 Rustics Close, Calvert Green, Bucks MK18 2FG enclosing a cheque and SAE (telephone 0776 2576851), or contact the Elgiva Theatre directly on 01494 582900.
The Elgiva Theatre |
If you know of a pantomime which you think should be added to our listing, email us here at threecounties@bbc.co.uk
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