Pantomania, festive choices this Christmas

A feast of festive choices to suit all tastes at local theatres this Christmas

From tradition to sedition, this year the theatres of Sussex are offering it all. In Eastbourne they continue their long tradition of quality family fun with a traditional panto offering. This year it’s Sleeping Beauty with Bernie Nolan making waves as the evil Carabosse and Martyn Knight who returns for his ninth consecutive year as the South’s favourite Dame.

It’s traditional all the way at The Capitol Horsham as EastEnders star Gillian Wright plays The Wicked Queen in the enchanting tale of Snow White And The Seven Dwarfs. Also in Horsham look out for Dear Santa in the Capitol’s Studio.

At The Hawth in Crawley Les Dennis leads the cast of their spectacular pantomime Aladdin this Christmas. The Hawth has an unblemished reputation for staging a pantomime of the very highest quality to suit all the family and no doubt this year will be of the same standard.

Over in Worthing there are two shows to choose from. At the Connaught Theatre there is a second chance to see a version of Sleeping Beauty while at the Pavilion Theatre it’s follow that yellow brick road with Dorothy and her friends to see The Wizard of Oz. And for something different, don’t miss The Rocky Horror Show at the Theatre Royal Brighton!

Worthing Theatres
In the Connaught Theatre’s traditional pantomime Sleeping Beauty, the lilac fairy will weave her enchantments in the story of the beautiful girl who pricks her finger and falls asleep for 100 years. ITV’s Superstar’s Jon Moses plays Prince Valiant who must awaken the princess and rescue her from conniving Carabosse, played by Hi-de-Hi’s Nikki Kelly. Britain’s top piano-playing dame, Bobby Crush, will keep everyone laughing with help from Muddles, played by comedy impressionist Tony Rudd. The sparkling tale is woven together by lots of audience participation, well-loved songs, glittering costumes and hand-painted sets to create the ultimate, authentic panto experience.

The road to Oz will be paved with fun, glamour, laughter and magic in The Wizard Of Oz at the Pavilion Theatre. With a cast led by TOWIE’s Mario Falcone and Tom and Jack from Sussex’s Heart Breakfast, the high-energy, modern, spectacular pantomime will whirl everyone to Munchkinland through an intoxicating mix of current and well-known songs. Boo and hiss at the Wicked Witch of the West, encourage Dorothy as she steps into the glittering shoes and watch in wonder as Cowardly Lion, Tin Man and Scarecrow come to life thanks to Glinda. The all-singing, all-dancing cast will transport the whole family to Oz in this wizard of a panto.

Sleeping Beauty
Connaught Theatre, Union Place, Worthing, West Sussex, BN11 1LG
Fri 7 December 2012 – Sat 5 January 2013, Times vary, Tickets: from £10

The Wizard of Oz
Pavilion Theatre, Marine Parade, Worthing, West Sussex, BN11 3PX
Thu 13 December 2012 – Sun 6 January 2013, Times vary, Tickets: from £10
Earlybirds save 10 per cent on tickets purchased before 31 October.
Box office: 01903 206206
www.worthingtheatres.co.uk

Eastbourne Theatres
Eastbourne’s famous pantomime returns this Christmas with the family favourite Sleeping Beauty, starring Bernie Nolan as the evil villainess Carabosse at the Devonshire Park Theatre, Eastbourne from 13 December 2012 until 13 January 2013. 

This classic tale has been given the famous Eastbourne pantomime treatment with live music and stunning costumes. The cast also includes comedian Tucker, Martyn Knight who returns for his ninth consecutive panto in Eastbourne as the South’s favourite Dame, and the beautiful Sasha Wareham.

As lead singer of the Nolan Sisters, Bernie conquered the pop charts with hits including ‘I’m In The Mood For Dancing’, selling millions of records worldwide.

She went on to become one of the nation’s favourite personalities on stage and TV in shows including Brookside and The Bill. She regularly performs in smash hit West End shows including Chicago and Blood Brothers.

Sleeping Beauty tells the story of the beautiful princess who is cursed by the evil Carabosse to sleep for 100 years and can only be awoken by true love’s kiss.

Sleeping Beauty, Devonshire Park Theatre, Eastbourne, Thu 13 December 2012 – Sun 13 January 2013, tickets from £10.50. Box office: 01323 412000 www.eastbournetheatres.co.uk

The Capitol Horsham 
Don’t miss your opportunity to see one of the country’s top soap favourite actresses Gillian Wright as The Wicked Queen in the enchanting tale of Snow White And The Seven Dwarfs at The Capitol Horsham this Christmas.

Gillian Wright is a familiar face on our TV screens and has also appeared in Spooks, Casualty, The Bill and Coronation Street. She is joined by Jane Deane, known to younger viewers as Dee Livery in CBeebies’ Justin’s House and will be up to no good as Jenny the Jester. They will be joined by a full supporting cast and of course not forgetting the seven lovable dwarfs from Puppet Lumiere!

Snow White And The Seven Dwarfs is a classic fairytale fantasy jam-packed with music and dance, fun and laughter, hiss-ing and boo-ing and of course, seven cheeky dwarfs! Oh yes it is!

The pantomime is not the only show on in Horsham this Christmas: Rod Campbell’s Dear Santa in The Capitol’s Studio is perfect entertainment for the under 5s with audience participation and the opportunity to meet and receive an exclusive gift from Santa.

Snow White & The Seven Dwarfs, Thu 13 December 2012–Sat 5 January 2013. Tickets from £15.50.
Dear Santa, Wed 12–Mon 24 December 2012.

The Capitol Horsham, North St, Horsham, West Sussex, RH12 1RG
Box office: 01403 750220 www.thecapitolhorsham.com

The Hawth
Les Dennis leads the cast of The Hawth’s spectacular pantomime Aladdin this Christmas. One of Britain’s most popular stage and TV entertainers, Les is best known as the engaging host of Family Fortunes for 15 years. He has appeared in many TV productions including Brookside, Merseybeat, Casualty and Crossroads, plus a hilarious appearance in Extras for Ricky Gervais, Hotel Babylon and the second series of the UK Celebrity Big Brother.

Les has a long list of theatre credits to his name including Chicago and Me And My Girl in the West End, Art, Hairspray and Jigsy, a one-man show at this year’s Edinburgh Festival.

This Christmas Les dons a frock to play the Widow Twankey in the magical pantomime adventure Aladdin. He will be joined by Noel Sullivan, formerly a member of Hear’Say and regular on the West End stage where he’s currently starring in We Will Rock You. Crawley favourite, Jon Clegg, who stars as Wishee Washee, ensures comedy takes centre stage again at the Hawth pantomime.

Comedy, stunning scenery, beautiful costumes and an amazing flying carpet make Aladdin the must-see pantomime this Christmas!

Aladdin, Friday 7 to Sunday 30 December 2012.
The Hawth, Hawth Avenue, Crawley,
RH10 6YZ, Box office: 01293 553636, www.hawth.co.uk

Theatre Royal Brighton 
Rocky Horror Show, the world’s favourite rock ’n’ roll musical, is back by popular demand! A fresh new production celebrating the show’s 40th anniversary comes to the Theatre Royal Brighton in December.
This musical extravaganza features classics including ‘Science Fiction/Double Feature’, ‘Dammit Janet’ and, of course, the timeless floor-filler, ‘The Time-Warp’.

Rocky Horror Show tells the story of two squeaky clean college kids, Brad and Janet, who meet Dr Frank ’n’ Furter when their car breaks down outside his house. There follows an adventure they’ll never forget, with fun, frolics, frocks, and frivolity, bursting with timeless songs and outrageous outfits. Rocky Horror Show is a guaranteed party, which combines science-fiction, horror, comedy and music. Feel free to get dressed in your most outrageous fancy dress and join in the fun. Be warned, this show has rude parts!
Rocky Horror Show, Thu 20 December 2012– Sat 5 January 2013, Theatre Royal Brighton, New Road, Brighton, BN1 1SD, Tickets £15–£29.50, Box Office 0844 871 7650* www.atgtickets.com/brighton* *Subject to booking fee