Christmas Pantos, Theatre & Carols in & around Kingston

As winter’s first snow falls, there’s little Christmas cheer in Sherwood. Cupboards are bare, the nights are cold, and the cruel Sheriff of Nottingham squeezes his citizens for every penny they’re worth. But deep in the forest, in the heart of the Major Oak, legendary outlaw Robin Hood plots an audacious scheme to bring some festive joy to all.

On Saturday 14 December at St Andrew’s Church, Surbiton, join Kingston Choral Society at 7.30pm for our annual Christmas carol concert.  The programme is a musical treasure trove, conducted by Andrew Griffiths with Gavin Roberts on the organ. Throughout the concert the audience is invited to join in the festive cheer, singing familiar Christmas carols along with the choir. However bleak the midwinter weather, the music will warm you with Christmas cheer.

Joining Sara is a spectacular line-up with double Edinburgh Comedy Award winner John Kearns, Mock The Week’s whipsmart wizard Rhys James, viral phenomenon Janine Harouni, and the impeccable Jen Brister as host.

Joining Alexandra Burke will be comedy legend Joe Pasquale as Jack Trot’s brother, Simon, Cabaret Star Ceri Dupree and West-End star Ria Jones.
Other festive productions at NWT: A Christmas Carol, The Snowman, The Night before Christmas & Christmas Singalong. See NWT site for details.

Actress Dame Maureen Lipman returns to Richmond to star as Mrs Potty in this enchanting pantomime adventure, alongside comedy magician Pete Firman as Silly Billy. One of the most romantic pantos of all time, Beauty and the Beast will be a spectacular production for all the family.

Leading the cast will be stage, screen and pantomime legend, the one-and-only Christopher Biggins as The Spirit of Dreams, along with Steps singer and musical theatre star Faye Tozer as Carabosse and illusionist, puppeteer and actor Richard Cadell (accompanied by his friend Sooty!) as Muddles. Joining them will be west-end performers Will Richardson as the Prince and Rhiane Drummond as Princess Aurora.

A festive, magical quest for the whole family. When squabbling siblings Clara and Fritz receive a mysterious Nutcracker toy from their flamboyant Aunty Drosselmeyer, Clara is certain that she doesn’t want her accident-prone younger brother anywhere near it! But with rumours of an evil many-headed Mouse King trying to ruin Christmas in their new family home, Clara might just need the help of Fritz to save the day.
See Polka Theatre website for more festive events for children.