 Theatre Panto brings people together


Pantomime as we know it today may seem frivolous, childish fun staged once a year around Christmas, but its roots are reputed to go back as far as the 16th century.


It is linked in some part to the Italian commedia dell’arte genre before taking on some of the European and stage traditions, such as the 17th century masques and music hall.


What we have today is a more participatory form of theatre – with jokes for almost every age group – which is loosely woven around a fairy story or fable.


This year, like every other, there will be songs, slapstick, dance routines and topical humour – with the obligatory dames and principal boys.


Cries of “behind you” and “oh no he isn’t” will ring out from the Hazlitt to Hollingbourne.


Kentish theatres – like most across the land – compete for former soap stars, treasured actors, comics or notorious figures of the day to be their lead characters.


Posters and adverts with a famous and well-loved face – such as Hi-De-Hi! funnywoman Su Pollard at the Assembly Hall Theatre in Tunbridge Wells – can be the real box-office driver.


Outside of the professional theatres, Kent has a rich


Cinderella Handsome Prince Charming and his sidekick Dandini have to find the perfect royal bride, but in Pantoland nothing is ever quite what it seems. At Hardup Hall the invitations have arrived and poor Buttons has his work cut out. Winter Gardens, Margate


Nov 30-Dec 4 2016 www.margatewintergardens .co.uk


Sleeping Beauty The story of Sleeping Beauty is a classic tale full of magic, princes, a spinning wheel and a family-sized dollop of good old pantomime humour.


Hazlitt Theatre, Maidstone Dec 2 2016 - Jan 2, 2017 www.hazlitttheatre.com


Peter Pan Craig Revel Horwood will star as Captain Hook in the swashbuckling family panto adventure, Peter Pan.


Churchill Theatre, Bromley Dec 9 2016 - Jan 7, 2017 www.churchilltheatre.co.uk


Snow White And The


Seven Dwarfs Starring comedian and national treasure Joe Pasquale, Snow White And The Seven Dwarfs will be spectacularly brought to life with an abundance of comedy, sensational song and dance numbers, fabulous costumes and scenery. The Orchard Theatre Dartford, Dec 10-31, 2016 www.orchardtheatre.co.uk


Village panto


Among the pantos being staged in the villages are the Pied Piper of Hamelin at the village hall in Hollingbourne from February 8-11, 2017. The Hollingbourne Panto Group will be holding auditions for adults in the village hall on October 19 and 23. Children’s auditions are being held on November 6 & 13, also in the village hall. Leeds Amateur Dramatic Society (LADS) will stage Robin Hood (Babes In The Wood) on


February 3 & 4 at the village hall. There are three performances including a popular matinee for children on Saturday afternoon.


36 Mid Kent Living Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs


Starring Su Pollard as Wicked Queen and Jamie Rickers (Citv, Nickelodeon) as Muddles, UK Productions present a spectacular panto with sparkling sets, beautiful costumes, hilarious antics, wonderful special effects and laugh along fun. Assembly Hall Theatre, Tunbridge Wells December 9 2016 to January 2, 2017 www.assemblyhalltheatre.co.uk


Peter Pan Following the success of previous pantomimes such as Dick Whittington, Jack and the Beanstalk, Mother Goose, Aladdin and Robin Hood and the Babes in the Wood, Magic Beans Pantomimes returns to the Stag Theatre to bring you Peter Pan. Theatre Royal, Margate,


Dec 10-31, 2016 www.theatreroyalmargate. com


Jack and the


Beanstalk A traditional family pantomime with full professional cast and live music.


Memorial Theatre, Broadstairs


Dec 13-31, 2016 www.sarahthorne- theatrecompany.co.uk


tradition of village hall pantos – usually performed in the new year – which play to packed audiences at almost every performance.


Friends and family of the younger performers, in particular, turn out to support the shows, which also become a focal point of the village.


Director of Leeds Amateur Dramatic Society Lesley Finlay said: “It is such an important community event – it brings everyone, young and old, together in one place.”


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