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Northern Theatre News
December - Week 2
Anthony Cawood
December 10, 2025
December - Week 2
Welcome to Northern Theatre News!
Panto/festive season is well and truly in full swing!
We have a review of Aladdin - A Rock ‘n’ Roll Panto at Leeds City Varieties in this edition, with Snow White at Bradford Alhambra, Beauty & the Beast at Victoria Theatre Halifax, and also Beauty & the Beast at Chester’s Storyhouse coming very soon.
Oh no they’re not!
Oh yes they are!
Of course we also have the usual mix of news, listings, offers, a bunch of new competitions and so much more.
I’d love to hear your feedback. So let me know what you’d like to see featured (or not!) in future editions of your newsletter.
Enjoy, and see you in the stalls!
News roundup
Casting news first with the eagerly awaited announcement from Operation Mincemeat!
Reprising their acclaimed roles, West End alumnae Christian Andrews (Sherlock Holmes and the 12 Days of Christmas, ITV’s D[1]Day 80 at the Royal Albert Hall), Seán Carey (The Play That Goes Wrong, BBC One's VE Day 80, A Celebration to Remember), Charlotte Hanna-Williams (Rogers & Hammerstein’s Cinderella; Bells are Ringing), and Holly Sumpton (Lovers Actually, BBC One's VE Day 80, A Celebration to Remember) are joined by new recruit Jamie-Rose Monk (Rome & Juliet, (the) Woman) to form the cast, while Katy Ellis (The Curious Case of Benjamin Button, Sappho: The Poetess), Georgina Hagen (Only Fools & Horses, Everybody’s Talking About Jamie), Jordan Pearson (Back to the Future: The Musical, One Man, Two Guvnors), and Morgan Phillips (Babies, The History Boys) complete the company.
The tour is hitting a number of our northern venues in 2026, check out the dates here.
Subscriber giveaway
£50 monthly prize giveaway
Every month we give away a £50 Theatre Token to one of our subscribers, usable at over 250 venues across the UK (including loads in the North). Just stay subscribed and you’ll be in the draw!
November’s winner will be announced in the next edition - check your inbox!
What’s on over the coming weeks
North East
Darlington Hippodrome has Goldilocks and the Three Bears starring Brendan Cole, 5 - 31 Dec.
Still in Darlington and Hullabaloo has the super-cute The Paper Dolls for the younger children, runs 11 - 24 Dec.
Alnwick Playhouse has Hansel & Gretel 17 - 28 Dec.
Newcastle’s Live Theatre has their seasonal fayre Where Do All The Kittiwakes Go At Christmas? 9 - 21 Dec.
Northern Stage has The Night Before ChrisMouse for the youngsters 22 Nov - 3 Jan. They also have Beauty & the Beast for the whole family 4 Dec - 3 Jan.
Newcastle’s Theatre Royal has Aladdin 25 Nov - 18 Jan.
Tyne Theatre & Opera House has Cinderella 5 Dec - 4 Jan.
Finally in Newcastle, at the Alphabetti Theatre we have A Queermas Carol (The Gayest Ghost Story Ever Told) 17 - 20 Dec
Want your panto at the seaside with a CBBC star? Whitley Bay Playhouse has you covered, with Beauty and the Beast showing 5 Dec - 3 Jan.
Sunderland Empire has their panto, Sleeping Beauty, running 12 Dec - 4 Jan.
Over in South Shields we have two seasonal shows at The Customs House, Goldilocks and the Three Bears runs 21 Nov - 3 Jan, with Help! I’ve Lost The Christmas List 29 Nov - 24 Dec.
Georgian Theatre Royal in Richmond has Cinderella as their Christmas show, 2 Dec - 10 Jan. Check out our Theatre Spotlight on this awesome venue!
Over at The Phoenix Theatre in Blyth we have Aladdin 6 - 28 Dec.
Up in Hexham at the Queen’s Hall Arts Centre we have The Great Big Christmas Wrapping Disaster 6 - 31 Dec, which runs concurrently with Red Riding Hood 6 Dec - Jan 3.
Over at the Seaton Devalal Arts Centre we have Cinderella 28 Nov - 6 Dec.
In Stockton at ARC we have A Town Called Christmas 2 - 13 Dec.
Billingham Forum has The Further Pantomime Adventures of Peter Pan 1 Dec - 4 Jan.
And over at the Empire Consett, we have Sleeping Beauty 28 Nov - 31 Dec.
The Gala Durham has Jack and the Beanstalk 20 Nov - 31 Dec and for the younger kiddos they have Christmas Eve 2 - 24 Dec.
Middlesbrough Theatre have Goldilocks and the Three Bears 5 - 31 Dec.
In Hartlepool we have Snow White 10 - 27 Dec at the Town Hall.
North West
Liverpool Everyman & Playhouse has The Rock 'n' Roll Panto 2025: Jack and the Beanstalk 15 Nov - 17 Jan and transferring from Hope Mill Theatre is Young Frankenstein 3 Dec - 3 Jan.
Liverpool Empire has Matilda 2 Dec - 4 Jan.
Still in Liverpool and over at the Royal Court we have The Scouse Christmas Carol 7 Nov - 17 Jan - correction, it has been extended by an extra week, now runs to 24 Jan.
At The Epstein Theatre we have Cinderella 5 Dec - 4 Jan.
And last for Liverpool, Unity Theatre’s seasonal offering is Sleep Can Wait 12 - 23 Dec.
St. Helens Theatre Royal has Dick Whittington 28 Nov - 11 Jan.
In Port Sunlight on the Wirral the Gladstone Theatre has Peter Pan 6 - 31 Dec
Over at The Atkinson in Southport we have Beauty & the Beast 5 - 31 Dec
Up in Lancaster, the Grand has a rotating set of pantos, your choices are Snow White, Robin Hood and Puss in Boots all for different age groups - not seen anyone take this approach, I like it! The shows run between 28 Nov - 28 Dec.
Opera House Manchester has their panto offering, Robin Hood 6 Dec - 4 Jan.
Palace Theatre in Manchester has TINA - The Tina Turner Musical 25 Nov - 3 Jan.
Royal Exchange Theatre in Manchester has Singin’ In The Rain 29 Nov - 18 Jan… hot off the press, this has been extended through to 25 Jan! They also have Stocking Fillers 28 Nov - 3 Jan, a set of seven 10 minute festive plays.
Home in Manchester has the UK premiere of Freaky Friday 27 Nov - 10 Jan.
Still in Manchester, Hope Mill Theatre has their adult-panto offering of Jack Off The Beanstalk - not for the youngsters! 4 - 30 Dec.
Contact Theatre in Manchester has their seasonal offering of Rumpelstiltskin 11 - 31 Dec, the press I’ve seen says it is set in a real castle!
Waterside Arts over in Sale has Raymond Briggs’ Father Christmas 4 - 27 Dec
Shakespeare North Playhouse has Cinderella 25 Nov - 10 Jan.
Over at the Floral Pavilion they have Sleeping Beauty 6 Dec - 4 Jan.
Over to Blackpool and the Grand Theatre has their panto, Beauty and the Beast 5 Dec - 4 Jan.
Still in Blackpool and The Winter Gardens has Elf - The Musical 9 - 14 Dec, followed by SIX 22 Dec - 4 Jan.
Just down (or is it up?) the coast in Lytham St Annes, the Lowther Pavilion has Peter Pan 1 Dec - 4 Jan.
The Lowry, in Salford is heading into a super busy festive period with The Lion The Witch and The Wardrobe 3 Dec - 11 Jan… then Unfortunate - The Untold Story of Ursula the Sea Witch 5 Dec - 11 Jan… AND finally The Enormous Crocodile - The Musical 10 Dec - 4 Jan.
Blackburn Empire has Snow White running 22 Nov - 4 Jan.
Storyhouse in Chester has their Christmas show - Beauty and the Beast 5 Dec - 4 Jan.
Over in Crewe The Lyceum Theatre has Jack and the Beanstalk 12 Dec - 4 Jan.
At the Stockport Plaza we have Aladdin 5 Dec - 4 Jan.
Octagon Bolton has A Christmas Carol 13 Nov - 10 Jan and Mrs Claus Saves Christmas for the youngsters 10 - 24 Dec.
At The Met in Bury we have The Pied Piper of Hamelin 6 - 28 Dec.
And in Middleton at the Middleton Arena we have Aladdin 25 Nov - 29 Dec.
Theatre by the Lake in Keswick has The Wizard of Oz 14 Nov - 11 Jan, and Little Gift 10 - 27 Dec. They’ve also just announced their Spring - Summer Season.
Yorkshire & Humberside
Leeds Grand Theatre has Miss Saigon 2 - 13 Dec, which is followed by Northern Ballet’s Nutcracker 18 Dec - 4 Jan.
Still in Leeds and City Varieties has Aladdin: The Rock ‘n’ Roll Panto 28 Nov - 11 Jan.
Leeds Playhouse have their amazing production of A Christmas Carol 20 Nov - 17 Jan, check out our review, with Stick Man running 6 Dec - 4 Jan.
Still in Leeds at the Carriageworks Theatre, they have Sleeping Beauty 21 Nov - 4 Jan.
Bradford’s Alhambra has Snow White 6 Dec - 18 Jan.
Meanwhile, still in Bradford and the Bradford Playhouse has their version of Cinderella. 12 - 30 Dec for this one. |  |
Cast in Doncaster has Cinderella 28 Nov - 4 Jan, and Hansel & Gretel 5 - 24 Dec.
Doncaster Little Theatre has Rapunzel 6 - 31 Dec.
Lawrence Batley Theatre in Huddersfield has Beauty and the Beast 1 Dec - 4 Jan.
Victoria Theatre in Halifax also has Beauty and the Beast 13 Dec - 4 Jan.
Wakefield Theatre Royal has Jack and the Beanstalk as their panto, running 25 Nov - 4 Jan, they have also announced their Spring Season
Over in Scarborough at Stephen Joseph Theatre we have Sleeping Beauty 29 Nov - 31 Dec.
Still on the east coast, Bridlington Spa has Dick Whittington 12 Dec - 4 Jan.
York Theatre Royal has their hugely popular panto Sleeping Beauty 2 Dec - 4 Jan.
The Grand Opera House in York has their panto Cinderella 6 Dec - 4 Jan.
Still in York at the Friargate Theatre we have A Christmas Carol 11 - 13 Dec followed by Christmas Inn Trouble 20 - 24 Dec.
Across at Pocklington Arts Centre we have Jingle All The Way 11 - 23 Dec
Harrogate Theatre has Jack and the Beanstalk 26 Nov - 18 Jan.
East Riding Theatre has The Snow Queen 4 - 27 Dec.
Hull Truck Theatre has Oliver Twist 28 Nov - 4 Jan and The Little Mermaid 11 Dec - 4 Jan. They’ve also just released their new season brochure.
Hull New Theatre has Beauty and the Beast 10 - 31 Dec it’s sure to make you chuckle (see what I did there!).
Down in Barnsley at the Lamproom we have Snow White 6 Dec - 3 Jan.
Barnsley Civic has Sleeping Beauty 6 - 28 Dec.
Rotherham Civic Theatre has Snow White 27 Nov - 4 Jan.
Over in Sheffield at the Lyceum we have their panto Aladdin 5 Dec - 4 Jan.
At The Crucible we have A Christmas Carol 29 Nov - 10 Jan.
From my quick tally we have twenty pantos up north, from infant to adult versions, and the one most performed this year? Cinderella with eight venues staging it, closely followed by Beauty & the Beast and Sleeping Beauty both with seven venues selecting them to show.
Northern Theatre News reviews
When we’re lucky enough to be invited to press nights we add the review to the very next newsletter! Here are the shows we’ve seen recently.
Excerpt: ‘Simon is what made it for me and has made me love panto again.’
Ticket offers not to miss!
Not so much of a ticket offer this time, but an offer to get an additional theatre fix from home with Marquee TV. They have a ton of theatre, opera, concerts and ballet, and they are running an offer where your first three months subscription is just 99p per month.
Disclaimer: I subscribed to this offer myself, I make no money from recommending it ;-(
ATG have announced that Robin Hood (starring Jason Manford) at Opera House Manchester has ticket prices from £15 on select dates/performances.
Theatre competitions
They’re not all northern, but when they’re not they do involve a hotel stay too, good luck! All are free to enter and run by 3rd parties (not me!), and I will keep them in each newsletter whilst the entry date is still valid.
Theatre spotlight
This week we are in Leeds again at the City Varieties Music Hall.
City Varieties Music HallAll images are credit Leeds Heritage Theatres or Northern Theatre News.        | Some theatres shout about themselves with big plazas and glass fronts. City Varieties hides down a little ginnel off Briggate and somehow still feels like one of the most theatrical spot in Leeds. Slip under the green sign on Swan Street and you are walking into one of the oldest working theatres in the city, a proper Victorian music hall that has hung on with a grin abd a prayer for more than 150 years. Not bad for what started as a room above a pub. It began life in the eighteen sixties as a singing room at the White Swan Inn. Local landlord and impresario Charles Thornton saw the potential in the upstairs space and rebuilt it as Thornton’s New Music Hall and Fashionable Lounge. Inside he created a long, narrow auditorium with cast iron columns, two bow fronted balconies and a small stage crowned with a royal coat of arms. Sit there today, wrapped in red plush and gold details, and you are basically in the same space a nineteenth century audience knew, just with better electrics and fewer cigars. Over the decades a serious roll call of stars has trod that tiny stage. Marie Lloyd, Harry Houdini, Charlie Chaplin and all manner of music hall and variety acts entertained the working folk of Leeds. People came to drink, laugh, heckle a little and sing along. It was noisy, cheeky and occasionally a bit chaotic. National fame arrived in the 50s when the BBC chose City Varieties as the home of The Good Old Days. For thirty years television audiences watched Leeds recreate Victorian music hall, complete with Leonard Sachs and those tongue twisting introductions, the audience dressed up in period finery and a big sing song of Down at the Old Bull and Bush to finish. In 2009 City Varieties closed for a major restoration. When it reopened in 2011 it still seated around four hundred and sixty odd people and still looked every inch the Victorian gem, only now with a lot less risk of bits falling off! Today City Varieties is part of Leeds Heritage Theatres alongside Leeds Grand Theatre and Hyde Park Picture House. At Christmas it hosts the amazing Rock n Roll Panto, a gloriously loud mash up of classic panto gags and live band energy. The rest of the year you might find folk and acoustic gigs, stand up, a live talk. It is the kind of venue where big name comics talk about it as one of their favourite rooms, because the audience is practically in their lap. What really makes City Varieties special is the feel of the place. Sit in the stalls and you are close enough to catch every wink and raised eyebrow. Sit up in the balcony and you get that postcard view of red plush, ornate plasterwork and a small but mighty stage that has seen more than a century and a half of showbusiness. It started as a singing room above a pub and somehow grew into a national treasure without losing its friendly, slightly cheeky heart. Next time you are on Briggate, duck down the ginnel and have a look. Leeds does not get much more theatrical than this. |
Theatre index
I’ve collated an index of all the northern venues I could find, it’s broken down by region so you can find the ones nearest you.
Do let me know if I’ve missed any.
Courses & training
I’ve had a few reader requests to add theatre related courses/training to the newsletter, so when/if I find any I’ll feature them here.
If you know of any more just let me know and I’ll include them
That’s it for this week
I’d love to know what you think about this newsletter, what we could do to make it better, and what else you’d like to see.
Thanks for reading and subscribing, and please spread the news.
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