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What's on offer this Christmas
26/10/2006
SUSPEND real-life and jump into a seasonal fantasy world of
villains, heroines and talking animals... yes, the panto season is
straight ahead and turn left at Neverland.
And there is the usual wealth of fun and fantasy on offer for all
the family.
This year there's a choice between Coronation Street stars fighting
a royal with a personality disorder in Snow White, that nasty
Charlie Stubbs recycling lamps at The Lowry or the French
Resistance meeting fairy forces in Sleeping Beauty in
Stockport.
To help make your choice, we take an early look at the super shows
to come to give you plenty of time to practice your "Oh no it
isn't!" and "He's behind you!" shouts to get them just right.
OPERA HOUSE, Manchester.
Snow White
Starts: December 9 until January 7
Box Office: 0870 401 9000
Corrie favourites John Savident (the late, great Fred Elliott) and
Oldham-born Suranne Jones (Karen Mcdonald) take the roles of the
Queen's Henchman and Snow White in this lavish production. A great
cast includes Key 103 funnyman Justin Moorhouse as Muddles and
Harry Potter's Warwick Davis as Prof, the Chief Dwarf. Expect
sparkling sets, glittering costumes, plenty of comedy and sharp
gags in this central panto production to appeal to all ages, I say,
to all ages.
THE LIBRARY THEATRE, Manchester
The Golden Goose
Starts: November 25 until January 13
Box Office: 0161 236 7110
Less a panto, more a play for children, with all the innovative and
appropriate adaption and direction you would expert from children's
theatre specialist Charles Way. This delightful comedy tells the
story of Dummling and his one true love Dajona, the princess who
will not laugh; of her sister Birgit and her one true love Boris,
and his mother Christine and her one true love Conrad, the King.
Farcical adventures of this ill-matched family follow, all
surrounding a mysterious Golden Goose in an authentic seasonal
production.
THE LOWRY THEATRE, Salford Quays.
Aladdin
Starts: December 8 until January 7
Box Office: 0870 787 5793
Is no woman safe? Coronation Street's villainous love-cheat builder
Charlie Briggs is set to trifle with Fred Elliott's Thai bride
Orchid in this Christmas spectacular that is bound to attract the
telly fans. Bill Ward steps into the role of the dastardly
Abanazer, where he is likely to prompt the same amount of booing as
usual. And Casey-Lee Jolleys returns to her Oriental roles as the
sweet Princess Yasmin, Aladdin's true love, in the Lowry's take on
this popular panto.
OLDHAM COLISEUM THEATRE
Cinderella
Starts: November 25 until January 13
Box Office: tel 0161-624-2829
Kevin Webster's little sister Debbie from Coronation Street,
actress Sue Devaney, leads the fun and frolics in this reliable
company's seasonal offering. Will Buttons be able to declare his
undying love for Cinders? Will the Ugly sisters succeed in keeping
the poor girl kitchen-bound for the rest of her life? And will she
ever go to the ball? Get the answers in this lively romp of
grassroots panto.
THE GREENROOM THEATRE, Manchester
Puss In Boots
Starts: December 6 until December 22
Box Office: 0161 615 0500
Something different from reknowned puppetry and visual theatre
company DNA in a lively and witty adaptation of the classic fable,
which starts when Charlie and Juanita's junk bazaar unearths a
first edition of The Book of Fairy Tales. Before you know it,
you're whisked into a fantasy adventure with kings, princesses and
ogres, plus a healthy splash of audience participation and
silliness. Beautiful animation and a cracking story are promised in
this enjoyable production.
BUXTON OPERA HOUSE
Aladdin
Starts: December 12-16 and December 28 until January 1
Box Office: 0845 127 2190
Juliette Kaplan's Pearl from Last Of The Summer Wine throws off her
brown beret and glasses to emerge as a slightly more glamorous
Slave of the Ring to help young Aladdin, alias Henry Luxemburg
(Toby from Hollyoaks) reach his true potential. Stirling Rodger is
once more Buxton's favourite dame in this tale of laughter and
laundry, hidden caves and happy endings. Toe-tapping pop songs and
fast-moving comedy add to this perfect festive treat.
THE PLAZA, Stockport
Sleeping Beauty
Starts: December 18 until January 7
Box Office: 0161 477 7779
Expect plenty of Resistance jokes and fractured French as glamorous
'Allo, 'Allo refugees Vicki Michelle (Yvette) and Kim Hartman
(Helga) join actress and musical star Mary-Ann Cafferkey, who takes
the title role of the somnolent sweetie in this much-loved story. A
lavish production, with plenty of old-fashioned panto mayhem and
corny jokes.
THE GARRICK THEATRE, Altrincham
Puss in Boots
Starts: December 22 until January 6
Box Office: 0161 928 1677
Our famous feline friend is joined by the Three Musketeers - Athos,
Porthos and Aramis - in a swashbuckling show full of sword fights,
wonderful songs and gags. The famous trio get up to all sorts of
tricks in their quest to see right triumph over wrong, ably
assisted by the amazing Puss in Boots. Impressive costumes,
entertaining dance routines and, of course, loads of audience
participation in this real panto.
WATERSIDE ARTS CENTRE, Sale
Dick Whittington
Starts: January 12 until January 20
Box Office: 0161 912 5616
Sale Nomads - award winners of Greater Manchester Drama Federation
for best panto 2006 - offer their annual festive tonic for adults
and children with a panto full of thigh-slapping and cries of
"Which way to London, Dick?" There should be plenty of amateur
acting expertise built up over generations of giving local people
the kind of entertainment they like, heavy on the fun and local
gags.
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