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If you're looking for a pantomime or Christmas show in and around Glasgow this year then you will be spoiled for choice. With a variety of productions to suit all budgets and all ages, Glasgow's theatre's have plenty to offer this festive season. From traditional pantos to beautiful dance and creative new stories, Glasgow's stages are set to sparkle this winter.
The King's Theatre celebrates 60 years of panto with a festive spectacular; The Pavilion has their popular fun and frolics with Grado and the Gang; Johnny McKnight returns to the award-winning Tron panto with a stinker(bell) of a panto; Beacon Arts Centre in Greenock is host to Jack and the Beanstalk and a gaggle of TV favourites, Cumbernauld Theatre lean away from traditional panto fare with something a bit different for older kids and for wee ones; and Scottish Ballet bring a classic to life on the Theatre Royal stage. Read on to find out more.
What's On in Glasgow Christmas 2024: Winter Theatre & Panto Highlights
The King's Theatre, Glasgow panto 2024: Peter Pan
Saturday 23 November 2024 to Sunday 5 January 2025
Tickets from £13 - £103
Age guidance: TBC
This year marks the 60th anniversary of pantomime at Glasgow King’s Theatre and it's sure to be a sparkling celebration. Peter Pan, produced by Crossroads Pantomimes and sponsored by Radisson Blu Hotel Glasgow, promises amazing special effects, stunning sets, beautiful costumes and barrel-loads of laughter.
Who's in Glasgow King's Theatre panto 2024? Meet the CAST of Peter Pan
Starring much-loved panto legends Elaine C Smith as Mrs Smee and Johnny Mac as Smee, as well as returning favourites Darren Brownlie (River City) and Blythe Jandoo (Gypsy), and King’s Theatre newcomer Hannah Jarrett-Scott (Pride and Prejudice* (*Sort of).
TICKETS: www.atgtickets.com/Glasgow
Tron Theatre, Glasgow panto 2024: Peter Panto and the Incredible Stinkerbelll
Friday 22 November 2024 to Sunday 5 January 2025
Tickets from £15 - £26
Age guidance: 7yrs+
After winning the UK Pantomime Award for Best Pantomime (under 500 seats) for Aganeza Scrooge, Tron Theatre Company is thrilled to present Peter Panto and the Incredible Stinkerbell at Glasgow Tron Theatre this festive season.
Who's in Glasgow Tron Theatre panto 2024? Meet the CAST of Peter Panto
Written, directed and starring in the role of the sassy and mischievous Stinkerbell, pantomime icon Johnny McKnight returns to the Tron Theatre alongside returning favourites Star Penders and Katie Barnett (most recently seen in Aganeza Scrooge), Robert Jack (The Alchemist), Emma Mullen (A History of Paper) and Marc Mackinnon (Macbeth (an undoing)).
Pavilion Theatre, Glasgow panto 2024: Beauty and the Beastie
Friday 28 November 2024 to Sunday 12 January 2025
Tickets from £20 - £32
Age guidance: TBC
With all the usual mischief, music and mayhem of a Glasgow Pavilion Theatre panto, this year’s show in collaboration with Imagine Theatre is Beauty and the Beastie.
Life in Cludgie on the Cobbles is quiet and peaceful. Belle passes her days helping her mother, Professor Porridge and their neighbours Dame Dolly Drumchapel and her son, Hector. Up in Cludgie Castle, however, things are not so tranquil. The arrogant Prince Lorenzo has had a curse placed on him by an enchantress and must find true love before the final petal falls from a magic rose. Will he be able to change his ways…and his appearance? Will Belle be the one to help him…and what are those strange howling noises coming from Cludgie Castle at night?
Who's in Glasgow Pavilion Theatre panto 2024? Meet the Beauty and the Beastie CAST
Pavilion favourite Liam Dolan returns as lead Hector Drumchapel. Dolan also co-writes and co-directs alongside Eric Potts. Also returning, Scott Fletcher as Prince Lorenzo/Beast and Jack Jester as the arrogant Benedict Bridie. Daft side-kicks Hammie and Tammy will be played by dream team Grado and Stephen Purdon, and Valissa Scott takes on the role of the Enchantress – Fairy Fiona. Jennifer Neil stars as Belle, Craig Glover will appear as Dame Dolly Drumchapel and Nikki Auld as the knowledgeable Professor Porridge.
⚠️TICKET OFFER: As part of Trafalgar Theatre's Black Friday Friday event, customers get up to 30% OFF Glasgow Pavilion panto tickets purchased between Mon 18 November and Sun 8 December 2024. More info here
Cumbernauld Theatre, festive show 2024: Pinocchio
Saturday 23 November to Sunday 29 December 2024 | Main Auditorium
Tickets from £7.50 - £25
Age guidance: TBC
For something a little bit different this festive season, head to Cumbernauld where Cumbernauld Theatre is staging a charming production of Pinocchio
All Pinocchio has ever wanted is to be a real boy. But hold on…if he wants things, surely that means he has thoughts and feelings. And if he has thoughts and feelings, then doesn’t that mean he has a brain and a heart? And if he has all that, doesn’t that make him a real boy already? He lives a fun and happy but very protected life with his wild and entertaining granny, Gepetta who wants to keep him safe and sheltered from the outside world.
But he can only stay safe and sheltered for so long. Will he ever make it to the outside world? And if so, what kind of magical adventures will he go on? Well, yes he does and you’ll need to come along to find out.
Who's in Cumbernauld's Christmas show 2024? Meet the CAST of Pinocchio
This silly and hugely entertaining journey will be brought to life by theatre talent Julia Murray as Pinocchio, Cole Stewart as Gepetta/Fairy Godmother, Stephanie MacGaraidh as Hingwy/Salesman/Stomboli/Whale and Caitlin Forbes as Mozart/Honest Sean/90’s guy/Passerby/Clicky. The production, written by Gary McNair, will be led by Director Laila Noble, with music by Brian James O’Sullivan and design by Fraser Lappin.
Cumbernauld Theatre, children's festive show 2024: Special Delivery
Saturday 30 November to Saturday 29 December 2024 | Studio Theatre
Tickets from £5 - £10
Age guidance: 3 -7
An enchanting musical journey filled with wonder for little ones Special Delivery is the new festive show produced in-house by Cumbernauld Theatre Company in a co-production with Visible Fictions and Scottish Opera.
Not all good things come in neatly wrapped packages. Sometimes they arrive as you least expect them… with a thud, down your chimney! Join Santa on his busiest night of the year, Christmas Eve. Travelling around the world and squeezing down chimneys to deliver presents is a tough job, but this time it’s made even more difficult when he is joined by a tiny mischievous hitchhiker, Eve, who is looking for a way back home. This playful and intimate show, brought to life by a brilliant creative team features a live piano score, songs, storytelling and charming projected animation.
Follow Eve on her adventures as she teams up with Santa and a group of cheeky festive characters. Special Delivery promises a rich mix of theatre magic to delight children and their families this Christmas.
Who's in the Cumbernauld's children's Christmas show 2024? Meet the CAST of Special Delivery
Special Delivery is being brought to life by composer Karen MacIver with words by Clive King. The cast comprises two talented Royal Conservatoire of Scotland graduates and will be led by director Dougie Irvine of Visible Fictions.
Scottish Ballet, winter show 2024: The Nutcracker
Friday 6 to Monday 30 December 2024 | Theatre Royal, Glasgow
Tickets from £15 - £67
Age guidance: TBC
Enjoy a visual feast as Scotland's National Dance Company, Scottish Ballet take you and your family on a fantastical adventure with The Nutcracker. With live music played by the Scottish Ballet Orchestra, this ever-popular ballet is the perfect festive treat.
We follow Clara on a journey through the worlds of her imagination, as she drifts off to sleep on Christmas Eve. She meets the dashing Nutcracker Prince, takes on the larger-than-life Rat King, sees snowflakes dance in the Land of Ice and Snow, and is whisked into the luscious Land of Sweets by the Sugar Plum Fairy!
TICKETS: www.atgtickets.com/Glasgow
Paisley Arts Centre panto 2024: Aladdin
Wednesday 27 November 2024 (preview) to Sunday 5 January 2025
Tickets from £12.50 - £23.50
Age guidance: Suitable for all ages
This Christmas PACE Theatre Company is delighted to announce its annual pantomime will be a new version of Aladdin; a re-imagining of the classic tale with a distinctly Scottish flavour. A seasonal treat for adults and children alike in the newly refurbished Paisley Arts Centre. PACE is pleased to welcome back ANDY MCGREGOR as writer and director for this year’s production; Andy is a playwright, director and composer who is particularly known for his work for family audiences, as well as recent hit productions To Save the Sea, Battery Park, Crocodile Rock, A New Life and Spuds. He has written PACE’s annual panto since 2019.
Who's in the PACE 2024? Meet the CAST of Aladdin
Heading up a stellar ensemble cast are CHRIS ALEXANDER and ALAN ORR. Chris Alexander (Battery Park, Sleeping Warrior Theatre; Smile, Dundee Rep) has been donning high heels as dame since his first appearance with PACE in 2017, and Alan Orr (Hen Night Horror, Scottish tour; A New Life and Opening Time, Oran Mor) has turned in comic performances both in Paisley and Dunfermline which have made him a favourite with panto audiences for many years. The cast also includes Lauren Ellis-Steele, Yana Harris and Kai Ross: The cast will be completed by 4 teams of young actors, handpicked from PACE’s core youth theatre groups, enhancing the production with their boundless energy.
TICKETS: Book Online: https://www.oneren.org/whats-on/
Group Booking Enquiries (15 or more tickets): 0345 130 5218
Beacon Arts Centre panto 2024: Jack and the Beanstalk
Saturday 7 to Tuesday 31 December 2024
Tickets from £20.50 - £28
Age guidance: Suitable for all ages
Inverclyde’s annual pantomime will return this Christmas with a magical production of Jack and the Beanstalk.
Beacon Arts Centre audience members will be transported to the magical land of Inverstrone, where the giant Greedyguts plans to destroy the kingdom of Inverstrone if Dame Trot doesn’t give him her precious cow.
Who's in Beacon Arts Centre panto 2024? Meet the CAST of Jack and the Beanstalk
TV favourites Jane McCarry and Mark Cox will return to the stage at Beacon Arts Centre for the much-loved festive fun. The Still Game stars will be joined by River City’s Jimmy Chisholm, along with Lee Samuel, Shannon Swan and Sam Willison, in this year’s panto, which is produced in-house for the third year in a row, putting a fun-filled and local spin on the traditional fairy-tale.
Royal Conservatoire of Scotland: A Christmas Carol
Friday 29 November to Friday 6 December 2024
Tickets from £5 - £16
Age guidance: TBC
Immerse yourself in the timeless magic of A Christmas Carol at the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland.
Charles Dickens‘ beloved tale is brought to life by students from the BA Performance for Deaf and Hard of Hearing Actors programme in a uniquely visual retelling. An unforgettable journey through Ebenezer Scrooge’s transformative night, filled with wonder, joy, terror, and the true spirit of Christmas.
A piece of visual theatre accessible to both deaf and hearing audiences.
TICKETS: A Christmas Carol is currently SOLD OUT. Check with RCS Box Office for returns: 📧 boxoffice@rcs.ac.uk / ☎️ +44 (0)141 332 5057
MORE: Scottish Panto and Winter Show Highlights: Let's get out of Edinburgh and Glasgow! What's On in Scotland's Theatres elsewhere this Christmas
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