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Searching for family Christmas activities in 2026? Discover 25 festive ideas for all ages, including Christmas markets, festive days out, live theatre, seasonal traditions and magical Imagine Theatre pantomimes across the UK.
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Vernon Kay - Bromley
joe pasquale - dartford
Su Pollard - Crewe
Gethin Jones - Cardiff
jenny ryan - leicester
La Voix - Wycombe
justin fletcher - reading
Vernon Kay, La Voix, Gethin Jones, Jack P. Shepherd, Owain Wyn Evans, Anne Hegerty, Richie Anderson, Steve Speirs, Su Pollard, Joe Pasquale, AJ and Curtis Pritchard, Jenny Ryan, Suzanne Shaw, Justin Fletcher and more join an all-star line-up across 21 pantomimes nationwide
This Christmas, some of the UK’s most recognisable faces are heading to a theatre near you as Imagine Theatre unveils its spectacular 2026 season. With twenty one pantomimes, this season promises to be bigger, brighter and packed with more star power than ever, with an incredible roll-call of familiar faces joining the finest panto dames, comics, dancers and singers from across the UK.
Four of the UK’s favourite TV and radio presenters – Vernon Kay, Gethin Jones, Owain Wyn Evans and Richie Anderson – swap the studio for the stage and a good dose of panto madness. They’ll be joined by screen and stage favourites including Steve Speirs and Coronation Street star Jack P. Shepherd, while panto royalty Su Pollard, Joe Pasquale and Strictly Come Dancing favourite La Voix are guaranteed to have audiences rolling in the aisles.
There’s no shortage of familiar faces for younger audiences either. Megastar Justin Fletcher will be joined by Balamory’s PC Plum, Andrew Agnew, double BAFTA winner Mark Rhodes and popular CBeebies presenter Rebecca Keatley.
Reaching for the wand rather than the buzzer this Christmas are ‘Chasers’ Anne Hegerty and Jenny Ryan, with twinkle-toed brothers AJ and Curtis Pritchard, Britain’s Got Talent finalists Han & Fran, pop and musical theatre favourite Suzanne Shaw, and much-loved ‘Joseph’ Keith Jack adding even more sparkle to the season.
owain wyn evans - swansea
anne hegerty - fareham
richie anderson - swindon
Joining this stellar line-up is a host of well-known West End performers, who will share the stage with talented local youngsters, giving audiences the chance to see the stars of tomorrow performing alongside some of Britain’s best-known faces.
This year, Imagine Theatre will present panto in Bromley, Cardiff, Carmarthen, Coventry, Crewe, Dartford, Fareham, Glasgow, High Wycombe, Halifax, Hertford, Inverness, Kilmarnock, Kirkcaldy, Leamington Spa, Llandudno, Leicester, Reading, Stafford, Swansea and Swindon.
The season builds on Imagine Theatre's award-winning track record, with the company having received almost 40 UK Pantomime Association Award nominations in recent years and taking home nine awards, including Best Set and Best Pantomime Over 900 Seats.
jack p shepherd - llandudno
rebecca keatley - swansea
aj & curtis pritchard - leamington
Laura Taylor, Head of Celebrity Casting at Imagine Theatre, said: “We are absolutely thrilled with this year’s line-up of shows and stars. Pantomime season is always such a special time of year and it’s a rare opportunity for the whole family to get together, have some escapism and make memories that will last a lifetime. So, we need to make sure the cast on stage are having a good time too as that becomes infectious. The shows that we’ve put together this year are guaranteed to be a whole lot of fun!”
Steve Boden, Joint CEO of Imagine Theatre, said:” Creating panto is special. It’s a huge team effort, from the team behind the scenes and our cast and crew, everyone brings a bit of themselves to it. We’re incredibly proud this year once again to work with such a brilliant mix of established names and local talent, and to create shows that value tradition and storytelling, putting families at the front and centre. We put a lot of heart into our pantomimes, and I hope that comes across the moment the curtain goes up.”
Expect spectacular sets, big dance numbers, hilarious comedy, singalong favourites, sensational special effects and plenty of audience participation - all the glorious chaos that makes panto one of Britain’s favourite traditions.
Dust off those festive jumpers and get ready to boo, hiss, cheer and sing your heart out. Christmas is coming, and Imagine Theatre is bringing a whole lot of panto magic with it.
Visit imaginetheatre.co.uk for more information and tickets
mark rhodes = stafford
suzanne shaw = swansea
andrew agnew - bromley
steve speirs = cardiff
ADAM SMITH THEATRE. KIRKCALDY
BEAUTY AND THE BEAST
03 December 2026 – 30 December 2026
Beauty and the Beast comes to life at the Adam Smith Theatre this Christmas with a magical Christmas pantomime packed with laughs, dazzling sets and show-stopping performances the whole family will love. When a prince is cursed only true love can break the spell before the final petal falls from the enchanted rose. Can Belle see beyond appearances and learn to love the Beast?
Whether it’s your first visit or a festive tradition, don’t miss one of Fife’s most popular Christmas shows.
BEAM: HERTFORD
JACK AND THE BEANSTALK
09 December 2026 – 03 January 2027
A giant adventure is climbing its way to BEAM this Christmas as Jack and the Beanstalk bursts onto the stage in a spectacular, toe-tapping, laugh-out-loud pantomime for the whole family. When the Trott family finds themselves without a bean to their name and an evil giant threatens their village, brave young Jack swaps the family cow for a handful of magic beans sparking an epic journey to the land of giants.
Back by popular demand are larger -than life dame MAMA G and comedian and magician Tom Brace joined by local favourite Alistair Barrie,. Bigger, bolder, and funnier than ever, whether you’re a panto regular or brand new to the tradition, this is the festive treat you won’t want to miss
CARMARTHEN LYRIC THEATRE
DICK WHITTINGTON
10 – 28 December 2026
The cat’s out of the bag… Dick Whittington is coming to The Lyric, This classic family pantomime will be packed with dazzling costumes, toe-tapping songs, belly-laughs, and more panto mischief than you can shake a spotted handkerchief at!
When Dick realises he is penniless, he sets out on a journey to London, where the streets are reportedly paved with gold. And, of course, his trusty cat joins him for this paw-some adventure.
Expect fairytale fun, enchanting sets, and a show-stopping cast that will have you cheering, booing, and singing along from start to finish. It’s a magical festive tradition you won’t want to miss!
CHURCHILL THEATRE, BROMLEY
SLEEPING BEAUTY
05 December 2026 – 03 January 2027
www.trafalgartickets.com/churchill-theatre-bromley
Radio and TV Favourite Vernon Kay is heading to Bromley this Christmas as he returns to the pantomime stage in Churchill Theatre's spectacular production of Sleeping Beauty. He is joined by Balamory’s PC Plum Andrew Agnew and West End Theatre favourites Rebekah Lowings, James Bisp Jayme-Lee Zanoncelli and Sophie Naglik.
When Carabosse’s evil curse causes Princess Beauty to prick her finger on a spinning wheel and fall into an enchanted sleep, can anyone rescue her before it is too late? Packed with dazzling costumes, spectacular scenery, side-splitting comedy and show-stopping songs, this high-quality production promises festive fun for all ages that will leave the whole family wide awake with excitement.
COVENTRY BELGRADE
BEAUTY AND THE BEAST
18 November 2026 – 02 January 2027
For Christmas 2026, the Belgrade Theatre presents the most enchanting tale of all, Beauty and the Beast, written by and starring Coventry’s favourite dame, Iain Lauchlan. When beautiful Belle is kidnapped by a frightening Beast and locked away in his terrifying castle, she soon discovers there may be more to the Beast than meets the eye. Can he change his selfish ways and find true love before it is too late?
Guaranteed to bring a touch of magic, mayhem and monstrous fun to your festive celebrations. Expect breathtaking sets, crazy costumes and the seasonal silliness that makes a trip to the Belgrade san unmissable treat for thousands of families every year.
CREWE LYCEUM
SLEEPING BEAUTY
11 December 2026 – 03 January 2027
Sleeping Beauty at Crewe Lyceum stars national treasure and panto legend Su Pollard, alongside Cheshire favourites Malcolm Lord and Ste Johnston, returning by popular demand. When the wicked fairy Carabosse casts her sinister curse, the princess is doomed to prick her finger on a spinning wheel and fall into a deep enchanted sleep. Can anyone break the spell before it is too late?
Bursting with everything you love about the Crewe Lyceum pantomime, This pant of your dreams promises laugh-out-loud comedy a fabulously outrageous dame, a deliciously wicked villain, show stopping musical numbers and plenty of slapstick fun for audiences of all ages in a magical festive adventure.
DE MONTFORT HALL, LEICESTER
BEAUTY AND THE BEAST
12 December 2026 – 03 January 2027
Beauty and the Beast stars The Chase TV quiz legend Jenny Ryan welcoming back comedian Jarred
Christmas and Leicester’s very own larger-than-life panto dame Jack Ballard. When a prince is cursed to live as a Beast, only true love can break the spell before the last petal falls from an enchanted rose.
In a fairytale story beloved by generations young and old, with hilarious jokes, catchy songs, and panto joy aplenty, this charming pantomime promises to be a festive treat for the whole family it would be beastly to miss.
EDEN COURT, INVERNESS
CINDERELLA
02 December 2026 – 03 January 2027
Eden Court’s spectacular family pantomime is back with all the magic, music and mayhem you’ve come to know and love! Poor Cinderella dreams of a very different life as she toils night and day, but when a royal invitation arrives, her chance to escape could finally be within reach. Will her wicked stepsisters spoil her chance at happiness or can her Fairy Godmother and ever-cheerful Buttons work their magic in time?
Everyone’s favourite rags to riches tale will be full of all of the ingredients you love from the Eden Court panto: side-splitting slapstick, dazzling musical numbers and plenty of audience participation for the whole family.
FAREHAM LIVE
JACK AND THE BEANSTALK
11 December 2026 – 03 January 2027
Fee-fi-fo-fum! The Chase’s Anne Hegerty heads to Fareham Live this Christmas alongside returning panto Dame Josiah Eloi in a giant family adventure. When Jack swaps his family cow for a handful of magic beans, he finds himself on an epic journey to the land of giants. But with an evil giant terrorising the village, will Jack be able to save the day?
Expect dazzling sets, show-stopping songs, plenty of audience participation, and more magic than you can shake a bean at in a spectacular, toe-tapping, laugh-out-loud festive treat for the whole family.
GALLEON CENTRE, KILMARNOCK
BEAUTY AND THE BEASTIE
27 November 2026 – 27 December 2026
The Killie panto returns to the Galleon Auditorium this festive season with the enchanting tale of Beauty and the Beastie! When a selfish prince is cursed to live as a beast, his only hope is to find love before the last petal falls from an enchanted rose. Can village beauty Belle see beyond appearances and learn to love a beast?
Packed with everything Kilmarnock panto audiences adore – a magical fairytale, laugh-out-loud comedy, toe-tapping songs and plenty of festive sparkle – this spectacular production promises fun for the whole family.
GLASGOW PAVILION
GOLDILOCKS AND THE THREE BONNIE BEARS
26 November 2026 – 10 January 2027 (
Glasgow’s much-loved panto returns with Goldilocks and the Three Bonnie Bears, starring Pavilion favourites Liam Dolan, Grado, Stephen Purdon, Scott Fletcher, Jack Jester, Jennifer Neil, Valissa Scott and Craig
Glover, alongside The Dolls’ Louise McCarthy. When Goldilocks, daughter of circus owner Gertie, encounters a family of three bonnie bears, she must team up with her new furry friends to save the circus from a wicked ringmaster.
Packed with festive spirit, all of the usual Pav mayhem, side-splitting comedy, and plenty of surprises for kids and grown-ups alike, this is the Pavilion’s must-see festive tradition, fun, festive, and oh-so-full of cheer! Don’t miss the fairy-tale extravaganza that’s “just right” for the whole family!
LEAMINGTON ROYAL SPA CENTRE
CINDERELLA
04 December 2026 – 03 January 2027
www.warwickdc.gov.uk/royalspacentre/info/71/panto
Cinderella comes to the Royal Spa Centre this Christmas with dance duo AJ and Curtis Pritchard leading the cast.
Poor Cinderella toils night and day, dreaming of a very different life. When a royal invitation arrives, it seems her wish for a brighter future might finally come true. But will her Wicked Stepsisters spoil her chance at happiness? Or can her Fairy Godmother – with a little help from the ever-cheerful Buttons – work their magic in time?
Everyone’s favourite rags to riches tale will be full of all of the ingredients you love from the Spa Centre panto: side-splitting slapstick, dazzling musical numbers, and plenty of audience participation for the whole family.
NEW THEATRE, CARDIFF
BEAUTY AND THE BEAST
05 December 2026 – 03 January 2027
A tale as old as time is coming to life! Beauty and the Beast stars much-loved TV Presenter Gethin Jones star alongside film and stage actor Steve Speirs and Cardiff’s favourite Dame Mike Doyle in a panto packed with laugh-out-loud comedy, dazzling costumes, show-stopping songs, and jaw-dropping magic that will delight the entire family, When a Prince is cursed to live as a fearsome Beast, only true love can break the spell before the last petal falls. Could Belle, a book-loving village girl, be his heroine?
Join in the fun with a cast of colourful characters as they discover that true beauty lies within!
ORCHARD THEATRE, DARTFORD
CINDERELLA
12 December 2026 – 03 January 2027
The biggest ball of the year awaits… and you’re all invited! Panto legend Joe Pasquale returns to Dartford to star in
Cinderella at the newly refurbished Orchard Theatre. He is joined by Musical Theatre favourites Keith Jack, Abbie Budden, Ben Goffe, Gareth Mitchell, Garnon Davies and Vanessa Dumatey.
As Cinderella dreams of escaping her life of chores, a royal invitation offers her the chance to change her fortunes – but can she make it to the ball before midnight?
Brilliantly brought to life with an amazing, immersive award-winning set featuring animated scenes, glittering costumes, and mesmerising special effects that will leave the whole family gasping with delight. Packed with plenty of festive sparkle, laugh-out-loud comedy, show-stopping songs, audience participation galore Cinderella promises to be the perfect festive treat for all the family.
READING HEXAGON
ALADDIN
05 December 2026 – 03 January 2027
www.whatsonreading.com/venues/hexagon/whats-on/aladdin-panto-2026
Climb aboard the magic carpet and soar into the spectacular world of Aladdin as Reading’s favourite panto double act, children’s TV megastar Justin Fletcher and award-winning dame Paul Morse take you on a magical family adventure. on a spellbinding adventure as Aladdin attempts to outwit the wicked sorcerer, claim his fortune, and win the heart of his true love.
Full of laughter, wonder, and festive cheer, Aladdin will feature another dazzling digital set with animated scenes and mesmerising effects, plus all of the ingredients you know and love in a Hexagon pantomime - side-splitting comedy, dazzling costumes and show-stopping musical numbers! Create unforgettable memories with friends and family in this fabulous Christmas treat
STAFFORD GATEHOUSE
ALADDIN
04 December 2026 – 03 January 2027
Climb aboard the magic carpet and soar into the spectacular world of Aladdin Stafford’s unmissable family pantomime starring Mark Rhodes, David Phipps-Davis and Smantha Spragg. Will Aladdin outwit the wicked sorcerer, claim his fortune, and win the heart of his true love? Join us to find out in a spellbinding adventure bursting with laughter, wonder, and festive cheer.
Packed with side-splitting comedy, dazzling costumes, and show-stopping musical numbers, Aladdin has all the ingredients for the ultimate Christmas treat.
SWANSEA GRAND
SNOW WHITE
05 December 2026 – 03 January 2027
Are you ready for the most magical panto of them all? BBC presenter Owain Wyn Evans, CBeebies favourite Rebecca Keatley, singer and TV personality Suzanne Shaw, panto favourite Christian Patterson and funnyman
Steve Walls lead the cast of Snow White at Swansea Grand Theatre, with a special digital appearance from Swansea’s own Kev Johns.
When the Magic Mirror declares Snow White the fairest of them all, the Wicked Queen is consumed by jealousy. Can Snow White’s friends save her?
Packed with glittering costumes, show-stopping songs, laugh-out-loud comedy and more magic than you can wave a wand at, this is the Christmas tradition your family won't want to miss!
VENUE CYMRU
SLEEPING BEAUTY
12 December 2026 – 02 January 2027
Coronation Street’s Jack P Shepherd leads the cast of Sleeping Beauty at Venue Cymru this Christmas alongside Llandudno favourites John Evans, Simon Nehan , Britain’s Got Talent stars Han and Fran and musical theatre star Corrine Cherish. When wicked fairy Carabosse’s curse causes Princess Aurora to prick her finger on a spinning wheel and fall into an enchanted sleep, can anyone rescue her before it is too late?
Packed with everything you love about the Venue Cymru pantomime: a side-splitting comic, an outrageous dame, a delightfully devious baddie, spectacular musical numbers and plenty of slapstick fun for all ages. Don’t miss out on the panto of your dreams
VICTORIA THEATRE HALIFAX
ALADDIN
11 December 2026 – 03 January 2027
Make your Christmas wishes come true as Aladdin takes to the stage at Halifax’s Victoria Theatre. Andrew Pollard and Matthew Allen, Halifax’s much-loved panto duo, return to pantoland for another magical adventure. Will Aladdin outwit the wicked sorcerer, claim his fortune and win the heart of his true love?
Climb aboard the magic carpet and soar into a spectacular world packed with laughter, wonder and festive cheer.
Packed with side-splitting comedy, dazzling costumes, and show-stopping musical numbers, Aladdin has all the ingredients for the ultimate Christmas treat.
WYCOMBE SWAN
PETER PAN
11 December 2026 – 03 January 2027
Darlings, she’s back! The fabulous La Voix returns to the Wycombe panto with even more magic, glitter (and sequins!) as the mischievous Tinker Bell. Expect comedy and mayhem as she teams up with hilarious funnyman Kev Orkian as Smee. One thing is for sure… you will be laughing your socks off all the way to Neverland!
Join Peter, Wendy, and the Lost Boys on a swashbuckling journey to the magical island Neverland, where adventure awaits around every corner - and the dastardly Captain Hook is never far behind.
Expect laugh-out-loud comedy, spectacular special effects, show-stopping songs, plenty of audience participation and all the panto magic you know and love, this timeless tale will delight children and grown-ups alike. It’s the perfect festive treat for the whole family.
WYVERN THEATRE, SWINDON
JACK AND THE BEANSTALK
05 December 2026 – 03 January 2027
A giant adventure is climbing it’s way to the Wyvern Theatre this Christmas, starring Radio 2’s Richie Anderson, Britain’s Got Talent’s Jamie Leahey and Swindon’s favourite panto dame David Ashley. When Jack swaps the family cow for a handful of magic beans, he finds himself on an extraordinary journey to the land of giants. Will they really have to sell Buttercup the family cow just to survive?
Expect dazzling sets, show-stopping songs, plenty of audience participation, and more panto magic than you can shake a bean at! Bigger, bolder, and funnier than ever. Whether you’re a panto regular or brand new to the tradition, this is the festive treat you won’t want to miss.
Imagine Theatre are an innovative, award-winning theatre production company offering spectacular entertainment for the whole family across the UK.
Building on a legacy of family entertainment stretching back over 25 years, Imagine Theatre - led by husband-and-wife team Steve and Sarah Boden and supported by an amazing team of professionals – have produced more than 275 professional pantomimes and multiple children’s theatre tours.
Their family friendly shows have won multiple awards and have been received by audiences of all ages with huge positivity and to great critical acclaim. Over the last few years, Imagine Theatre have received almost forty nominations from the UK Pantomime Association Awards, winning nine, including awards for the Best Set and Best Pantomime over 900 seats.
Part of the Trafalgar Entertainment group of companies, each year Imagine Theatre facilitate productions in more than 50 venues across the UK. This year, Imagine Theatre are producing, co-producing or working in association with pantomimes in Bromley, Cardiff, Carmarthen, Coventry, Crewe, Dartford, Fareham, Glasgow, High Wycombe, Halifax, Hertford, Inverness, Kilmarnock, Kirkcaldy, Leamington Spa, Llandudno, Leicester, Reading, Stafford, Swansea and Swindon.
Spring 2026 also saw the continuation of the hugely popular UK tour of Justin Live - Justin Time To Rock, alongside Scrumptious House Productions, starring CBeebies Megastar Justin Fletcher. They will also be involved with producing an exciting new musical, Hen Night Horror, which debuted in 2024 in Scotland to critical acclaim and returns to Scottish theatres this Autumn.
Spring 2027 will see them touring the incomparable La Voix who will be visiting 35 theatres across the UK in her biggest and boldest show to date – La Voix Live and which will also include a date at the London Palladium.
Proud to be a Carbon Neutral company, Imagine Theatre operate from a purpose-built facility in Coventry which houses their head offices and a large scenic, costume and props store, as well as their costume and props workshops. Following substantial growth over the past couple of years, 2025 saw an exciting move to new larger premises in Coventry, Trafalgar House, also saw them create a Midlands hub for the Trafalgar Entertainment Group.
Imagine also provides a range of services from the hire of individual costumes, pantomime scripts, special effects or theatrical sets through to the staging of entire productions.
Over 500 actors, technicians, directors, designers, choreographers, musicians and stage management work for Imagine during the Christmas period using their skills to create the very best productions possible.
Whilst being cheerleaders of the wonderful traditional elements that make up a great panto, over the past few years Imagine have also worked with their creative teams to develop a new innovative and immersive pantomime experience which uses spectacular animated scenery and transports audiences into the world of the production, described by many critics and audience members as ‘Incredible’ and ‘Mesmerising’.
For further information check out their website at www.imaginetheatre.co.uk and follow them on Facebook, X or Instagram.
La Voix is back – bigger, bolder and more fabulous than ever!
Following her unforgettable appearance on Strictly Come Dancing, La Voix is bringing her brand-new show, La Voix Live, to theatres across the UK in March and April 2027 – and Imagine Theatre are proud to be producing her biggest tour yet!
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At Imagine Theatre, we believe in the power of storytelling, community and creating positive experiences that leave a lasting impact. Alongside bringing magic and entertainment to audiences across the UK, we are also proud to support initiatives that help change lives beyond the stage — including our support of Lend with Care.
Lend with Care is a microfinance initiative run by CARE International UK, one of the world’s leading poverty-fighting charities. The charity helps entrepreneurs in low-income countries access small business loans that allow them to build sustainable futures for themselves and their families.
What makes Lend with Care so powerful is its simplicity. A loan of as little as £15 can help someone buy farming equipment, stock a market stall, purchase livestock, or invest in tools and materials to grow a small business. As the loan is repaid, the funds can then be reinvested to support another entrepreneur, creating a cycle of ongoing opportunity and empowerment.
Since beginning our support in 2019, Imagine Theatre has proudly funded more than 1,225 individual £15 loans through the programme. Because the scheme is self-sustaining, as repayments are made the money is reinvested again and again — with some of our original contributions now helping entrepreneurs for the fourth time over.
The impact of this support has been incredible. Together, these loans have helped support 2,648 entrepreneurs as they build and grow their businesses, while contributing towards the creation of 1,783 jobs within local communities around the world.
For us at Imagine Theatre, supporting Lend with Care reflects values that are incredibly important to our company — creativity, ambition, resilience and giving people the opportunity to thrive. Just as theatre has the ability to inspire confidence, bring people together and spark imagination, initiatives like Lend with Care empower individuals to create brighter futures through their own hard work and determination.
We are incredibly proud to support a charity that focuses not simply on aid, but on empowerment — helping people work their way out of poverty with dignity, independence and long-term sustainability.
To find out more about the incredible work of Lend with Care, or to support an entrepreneur yourself, visit lendwithcare.org.
Trafalgar Entertainment and Imagine Theatre join forces
Read MoreContinuing our blog of what a pantomime company does ‘for the rest of the year’ here is a brief overview of what the Imagine team have been up to during February.
Although many of the team take the opportunity to have a well-earned break in February, things have still been exceptionally busy at Imagine HQ.
Many of the companies that we hire sets, props and costumes to produce their pantomime during January and February and so the last few weeks have seen the majority of the set and costume hires for the 2022-23 season come to an end. The warehouse, wardrobe and props floor are once again full.
This year our warehouse is home to 5 new sets. The stores team have been logging all the new sets onto the system. They have to measure and photograph each piece of every single set. Each individual piece of set has its own label with a barcode which is linked to a central system along with the photo and measurements. This allows the team to quickly pull up images and information for each piece of set we own. This system is also used to log the sets in and out of our warehouse each season.
The wardrobe team are cleaning all the costumes from the season and doing any necessary maintenance before they get put away. In addition Saeni and Adam have been venturing off around the country procuring some new costumes to add to the collection.
The debriefs with the venue management and the marketing teams are now almost at an end and budgets are getting closer to being finalised.
The casting process has begun with a few familiar faces beginning to be confirmed for this season with announcements and brochure launches imminent for a few of our venues.
In addition, Sarah, Steve and Laura attended the first ever pantomime symposium in London run by the UK Pantomime Association and the team behind the MA in contemporary pantomime at Staffordshire University, along with many of the country’s other top pantomime producers, and other representatives of the UK pantomime industry. It was a fabulous day of thought provoking panels, honest and open discussion about the future of pantomime and a chance to meet up with friends and colleagues from the industry.
The team are delighted that the Just Imagine podcast has now received 6,000 downloads and the schedule for the podcast for the rest of 2023 is already in place.
And finally, the Imagine Team did not forget to embrace the tradition of Shrove Tuesday with Amy making delicious pancakes for the whole team on Tuesday 21 February.
If you are interested in a further look behind the scenes check out the fortnightly Just Imagine Podcast which as well as interviews with the members of the Imagine HQ team includes guest interviews from the wide range of people we work with each year.
We often get asked the question ‘what do you do the rest of the year?’ and so for 2023 we have decided to do a short monthly blog to let you know what the team have been up to.
Read MoreTrafalgar Entertainment (TE) – the international live entertainment business founded by Sir Howard Panter and Dame Rosemary Squire – has announced details of an exciting new partnership with Imagine Theatre – one of the UK’s biggest pantomime providers.
Read More2020, the year we’d all like to forget
…..However, Venue Cymru has just secured the ultimate news for 2021. The return of their Pantomime, Aladdin with their Panto hero John Evans.
John will return for the eleventh time to the Venue Cymru stage in the role of Wishee Washee in December 2021. John Evans first appeared in the Llandudno pantomime in 2006 and performed every year until 2016 before performing at the Liverpool Empire Theatre for three years.
He should have been back in Llandudno in 2020 however, earlier this month Venue Cymru announced its temporary closure until Spring 2021. The building is utilised as Ysbyty’r Enfys by the Betsi Cadwaladr Health board. This meant the postponement of many shows, including the annual Pantomime.
Pantomime is such an important experience for so many people, and a family tradition each year for so many, for some it’s the first experience of theatre as a young child, and others it’s the memories created of each festive period.
Venue Cymru spokesperson said, “Our patrons spoke and we listened, it was an overriding roar of ‘Bring back John Evans!!’ and, with the help of Imagine Theatre Ltd we’re proud that John will be treading our boards for the next few Christmas’ - John has agreed to work with Venue Cymru and new co-producers Imagine Theatre Ltd on their Pantomime for the next three years.
Imagine Theatre is one of the UK’s leading Pantomime Producers and we’re thrilled to have them on board, their ethos for panto matches the direction we want to take our shows. Along with a brand new script, amazing sets, costumes, comedy and great music we’re proud to be creating a show that we know will resonate with, and create memories for the entire family”
John Evans - Wishee Washee
John Evans commented – “If I had Aladdin’s lamp, my first wish would definitely be to take a magic carpet ride straight to 2021! I have so many great memories of my 10 years in Llandudno, so when I was asked to come back for next years of production Aladdin I didn’t hesitate. I can promise you 2021’s panto will be jam packed full of action, adventure and big big laughs. I am so excited, I cannot wait to see you all!”
Managing Director of Imagine Theatre Steve Boden said “We are absolutely delighted to be given the opportunity to work alongside the team at Venue Cymru to produce their annual family pantomime. Discussions are already underway, and we are going to make sure that pantomime bounces back after Covid even bigger and better than it was before. It is really important to us that we create a show that is unique and bespoke to the Llandudno audiences which is suitable for the entire family. Working alongside the theatre team and the wonderfully funny John Evans, we just know that the 2021 production of Aladdin will be worth the wait!”
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“We’re excited to take our annual Pantomime in a new direction, with a new co-producer and John on board we’re more excited than ever to get started, and to give you, our loyal patrons the theatre experience you deserve after such a trying year. Pantomime is such an iconic tradition for so many families and the experience keeps our industry alive, so for 2021 we’ll ensure its better than ever before” continued Venue Cymru
Those who had tickets booked for Aladdin in 2020 will have the chance to transfer their tickets to 2021 ahead of the general on sale. Further details will be popping into the inboxes of ticket holders’ very soon so keep your eyes open for that.
Bookings for Aladdin 2021 will reopen early this December
The show will run from Saturday 12th December 2021 – 3rd January 2022.
Venue Cymru cannot wait for Panto to return, and with our very own panto hero and stalwart John Evans. 2021 is looking up!
Box Office 01492 872 000 l venuecymru.co.uk
These are strange times. Usually by mid-May the Imagine Theatre Head Office team would be flat out with casting, scripting, preparing sets , wardrobe, props and marketing campaigns would be in full swing. With the planning for 16 shows all happening at the same time to manage, our days would usually be full to over flowing at this time of year with emails constantly pinging in, and the phone ringing constantly.
But this year it’s completely different.
Those usually busy phone lines have been transferred to Steve and Sarah’s home, and they are quiet. Many of our staff are currently on furlough and our inboxes are busy dealing with a multitude of emails never even considered in normal times. COVID-19 has turned a usually hustling and bustling company into a rather quiet one at the moment.
Our days are spent considering budgets and their impacts and meaning, speaking with theatres, listening to webinars from UK Theatre or such organisations, thinking a lot and listening to the government’s daily briefing, trying to understand what this means for our industry as a whole, as well as for pantomime come Christmas 2020. What we do know is that personal health, well being and welfare is paramount in this situation – for our staff, the theatre staff and for any potential audience members.
And the honest answer is that right now we just don’t know what this all means. There are more questions than there are answers. How can social distancing work in a theatre – for the audience? Front of house? Back stage? Do actors have to be 2 meters apart on stage? Can a wardrobe manager help with a quick change? What is the capacity of a socially distanced auditorium (word on the street is approx. 20% of usual capacity – slightly more in some venues, slightly less in others)? Will the finances stack up if we have to limit audience numbers but our production overheads remain almost the same? What happens if a cast or crew member becomes ill with Covid-19 during the rehearsal or performance process – does the rest of the cast have to isolate and are we in a ‘show stop’ scenario? How do we ensure that actors are 2m apart backstage if the dressing room area is limited? How do we manage social distancing backstage and side of stage where space is notoriously limited? The list goes on and is utterly endless.
However, the most important question of all is, if theatres do re-open, how confident will our audiences be to return before social distancing ends, or a vaccine is found? That’s the million dollar question.
With every person and organisation we talk to, there is a sense of the unknown. However, what we do know is that there is a huge amount of work going on behind the scenes and so we give a big shout out to the many organisations championing our cause including Equity, UK Theatres, SOLT, The Federation of Scottish Theatre, The Arts Council and absolutely everyone involved in trying to build a structured and co-ordinated approach to the situation from the theatre industry’s perspective. Thank you for all you are doing to help present our collective case to the Government and for working with us to try and understand the impact that all of this will have on us in the immediate, short and long terms.
So, while there are so many questions at present, what we do know is that it won’t be long until the right answers naturally presents themselves and whatever they are, we as an industry will be ready to pick up the panto baton again.
Stay safe and well everyone – because we really do mean it.
Sending you all our very best wishes
Steve and Sarah x
Imagine Theatre, Trafalgar House, 186 Torrington Avenue, Canley, Coventry, CV4 9AJ. T: +44 2476 307001
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