Christmas pantomimes to watch in Berkshire in 2023/24

Christmas is fast approaching, and that means that Panto season has begun. From community productions to professional acts, and even featuring national superstars (Basil Brush!), pick from the best and brightest of Berkshire’s festive pantomimes.

What’s on: Miki

Where: Courtyard Theatre, Norden Farm, Maidenhead

When: Friday 28 November– Saturday 30 December 2023

Who: Slot Machine Theatre, who are Fiona Creese, Nick Tigg, and Nicola Blackwell.

Tickets: £15.50, with youth, concessions, family, and friends tickets available. Find them at https://norden.farm/events/miki

A visually enchanting and unique production based on the book by Stephen Mackey. Friends Miki, Polar Bear, and Penguin make a wish on midwinter eve and embark on a magical adventure in search of a star. Featuring extraordinary puppetry and transfixing storytelling.

What’s on: Beauty and the Beast

Where: Baylis Theatre at Braywick Leisure Centre, Maidenhead

When: Thursday 14 December – Sunday 24 December 2023

Who: Maidenhead Panto. Written by Niall Hemingway

Tickets: From £16. Find them at https://www.maidenheadpanto.co.uk/book/

In Maidenhead Panto’s fifth year, this production of Beauty and the Beast promises a warming tale of love and friendship, family fun, and hilarity.

What’s on: Aladdin

Where: Theatre Royal Windsor

When: Friday 28 November 2023 – Sunday 14 January 2024

Who: Theatre Royal’s traditional cast, including Basil Brush!

Tickets: From £18.50, with concessions, family, and group tickets available. Find them at https://theatreroyalwindsor.co.uk/aladdin-23/

Join Theatre Royal Windsor in this magical production, featuring the family-favourite fox Basil Brush.

What’s on: The Snow Queen

Where: Holyport Memorial Hall, Holyport

When: Wednesday 13 December – Sunday 17 December 2023

Who: Maidenhead Drama Guild. Written by Mary Portalksa

Tickets: £10-£15 adult, £8-£13 child. Find them at https://thelittleboxoffice.com/mdg/event/view/183155

This delightful community production offers an exciting story from the beloved writer Hans Christian Anderson to enjoy: can Greta save her true love Peter from the Snow Queen, and end her icy influence?

What’s on: Old Mother Hubbard, The Lady Who Lived in a Shoe

Where: The Memorial Hall, Straight Road, Old Windsor

When: Friday 1 December- Saturday 9 December 2023

Who: Riverside Players. Written and directed by Simon Arnold

Tickets: £12 adults, £10 concessions, £8 children. Find them at http://www.riversideplayers.com/boxoffice.shtml

This warm-spirited community production is sure to be great festive fun. On for a limited run!

What’s on: Rapunzel

Where: Colnbrook Village Hall, Slough

When: Wednesday 6 December- Sunday 10 December 2023

Who: Cast Theatre Company

Tickets: £12 adults, £10 concessions, £8 children. Find them at https://www.ticketsource.co.uk/cast-theatre-company

Community theatre group CAST promise a charming production of Rapunzel, full of singing, dancing, and charm.

What’s on: Aladdin

Where: The Whitty Theatre, Luckley Road, Wokingham

When: Friday 29 and Saturday 30 December 2023

Who: Wokingham Pantomime

Tickets: £16-£19. Find them at https://www.maidenheadpanto.co.uk/book/

A group of local residents bring festive cheer to Wokingham in this delightful production of Aladdin.

What’s on: Sleeping Beauty

Where: Wilde Theatre, South Hill Park, Ringmead, Bracknell

When: Friday 24 November – Sunday 31 December 2023

Who: Written by Joyce Branagh, directed by Adam Stafford

Tickets: £23.50, with concessions, family, and group tickets available. Find them at https://www.southhillpark.org.uk/shp-events/sleeping-beauty-2023-christmas-panto/

Will the cursed princess be awoken from her eternal sleep by her true love? The timeless tale of Sleeping Beauty is coming to South Hill Park, from award-winning writer Joyce Branagh. Expect silly songs, colourful characters, and lots of laughs.

What’s on: Sleeping Beauty

Where: The Hexagon, Queen’s Walk, Reading

When: Saturday 9 December- Sunday 7 January 2024

Who: The Hexagon Panto

Tickets: £14-£37.50 with concession, school, and group tickets available. Find them at https://whatsonreading.com/venues/hexagon/whats-on/sleeping-beauty-christmas-panto

The Hexagon Panto is back this year with Sleeping Beauty, The Spellbinding Family Panto. A classic tale with all the laughs you could want and a happy ever after.

What’s on: Potted Panto

Where: Reading Rep Theatre, King’s Road, Reading

When: Thursday 27 November– Sunday 31 December 2023

Who: Written by Daniel Clarkson, Jefferson Turner, and Richard Hurst

Tickets: £5-£25, with youth, concessions, family, and group tickets available. Find them at https://www.readingrep.com/potted-panto/#performances

Potted Panto is an absurdly enjoyable show, with seven Christmas Tales in one – from Cinderella to Jack and the Beanstalk, Aladdin to Dick Whittington – this panto is packed with festive fun.

What’s on: The Wizard of Oz

Where: The Watermill Theatre, Bagnor, Newbury

When: Friday 17 December – Sunday 31 December 2023

Who: Based on the novel by L. Frank Baum, written by Marietta Kirkbride and directed by Georgie Staight

Tickets: £15-£35, with concessions, family, and group tickets available. Find them at www.watermill.org.uk/oz

Based on the novel by L. Frank Baum, the well-loved story of Dorothy is reimagined as Dot’s magical adventure to the Emerald City. Escaping the real world to go on a mystery hunt for Toto, Dot will encounter a cast of all our favourite characters, wizards, witches, and strange creatures along the way.

What’s on: Beauty and the Beast

Where: Corn Exchange Auditorium, Newbury

When: Friday 24 November – Sunday 31 December 2023

Who: Plester, Brown and Wilsher Pantomime

Tickets: £21.50-£29.75, with concessions and savers tickets available. Find tickets at https://cornexchangenew.com/event/beauty-and-the-beast

This production of the classic fairytale promises music, mischief, and mayhem, as Belle finds herself trapped in the Beast’s castle – will true love conquer all?