It's that time of year again when celebrities hoist their skirts to take the stage in the great British Christmas tradition of pantomime! Here is a round-up of those pantos that feature notable names from the world of Doctor Who.
John Barrowman (Captain Jack, Doctor Who/Torchwood)
Aladdin, Glasgow SECC, 11th Dec - 9th JanThe rip-roaring adventure story of Aladdin will be brought magically to life in a spectacular production starring actor, television presenter and all-round entertainer, John Barrowman, in the title role of Aladdin. The Krankies, synonymous with the great tradition of pantomime in Glasgow, will be appearing alongside John as the Chinese Policemen.
Their talent, combined with John Barrowman’s energy and showmanship together with our amazing visual effects, is set to make Aladdin an unmissable pantomime experience.”
Aladdin has all of the traditional elements of pantomime but with the added surprise of an array of 3D special effects.
Wearing 3D glasses at certain points throughout the show the audience can rub the magic lamp as it appears in front of their nose, summon the magical 3D Genie from his lamp and join Aladdin on a superb magic carpet ride!
Frazer Hines (Jamie McCrimmon, Doctor Who)
Aladdin, Lighthouse Theatre, Kettering, 10th Dec - 26th DecWhen Aladdin arrives at The Lighthouse Theatre in Kettering this pantomime season, expect a fantastic musical Show full of festive family fun in colossal quantities – with bucket loads of boos and hisses, huge doses of heckling ‘he’s behind you’, panto dames, and maybe even a wish or two from the Genie of the Lamp.
Opening on Friday 10th December and continuing until Sunday 26th December, more than 25 festive performances are in store for audience members at The Lighthouse this year. Expect to see a flying magical beast, fantastic dance routines, and superb singing.
Watch out for Aladdin (played by JOSH DUBOVIE, this year’s Eurovision star), defeating the evil Abanazar (played by DAVID VAN DAY – the man we all love to hate!) on his journey from rags-to-riches, winning the heart of the beautiful princess (played by Big Brother star NIKKI GRAHAME). The kids will love Wishee Washee (played by TV favourite FRAZER HINES – Emmerdale & DoctorWho) and the hilarious Chinese policemen including DANIEL FOX (2009 X-Factor finalist).
With a live band and a host of other familiar faces, this year’s pantomime cast promises good old fashioned family entertainment fit for all ages, a trip to The Lighthouse shouldn’t be missed.
Bruno Langley (Adam, Doctor Who)
Aladdin, Buxton Opera House, 11th Dec - 1st JanTraditional panto at Buxton Opera House is better than ever this year, with dazzling dance routines, side-splitting comedy and a stellar cast from some of TV’s most popular shows.
There’s a party going on in the backstreets of old Baghdad, where young Aladdin (Bruno Langley from Coronation Street and Dr Who) and his daft brother Wishee Washee (Matthew McVarish from CBeebies’ Me Too!) live with their hard-working mum, who runs the local laundry.
Hitch a ride on a camel and join the fun as Aladdin meets the beautiful Princess Jasmine (Steph Fearon, semi-finalist from Over the Rainbow), discovers a dodgy long-lost uncle and sets out on a perilous quest to seek an ancient lamp, buried deep in a desert cave.
Don’t miss this magical Christmas treat for the whole family!
Nigel Havers (Peter Dalton, The Wedding of Sarah Jane Smith)
Aladdin, Birmingham Hippodrome, 18th Dec - 30th JanGet ready for the biggest, all-star pantomime to date as international superstar Joan Collins makes her pantomime debut as Queen Rat in the family adventure Dick Whittington.
Follow Dick and his Cat on their journey to London; set sail to foreign lands and help our heroes fight off the evil Queen and King Rat in an attempt to save the day and win the heart of the beautiful Alice Fitzwarren. Joining Joan on stage in this spectacular pantomime is Julian Clary as The Spirit of the Bells, Nigel Havers as the dastardly King Rat, Keith Harris with Orville & Cuddles as the hilariously hopeless Rat Catchers, and TV favourite Jeffrey Holland as Dame Felicity Fitzwarren.
This year’s pantomime is bursting at the seams with magnificent scenery, stunning special effects and glittering costumes plus even more hilarious jokes and crazy antics! Book now!
Nigel Planer (Vorgenson, Doctor Who Live)
Aladdin, Lyceum Theatre, Sheffield, 10th Dec - 9th JanFly with us to Neverland....Get set for our spectacular fun-packed pantomime Peter Pan.
Starring Hayley Tamaddon (Dancing on Ice, Emmerdale), Nigel Planer (The Young Ones) and with the return of everyone's favourite Dame, Damian Williams (Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs).
This Christmas, don't miss our spectacular family pantomime produced by the team behind last year's Box Office smash Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs.
Featuring Tinkerbell, the Lost Boys, and of course, the evil Captain Hook, Peter Pan will boast dazzling sets and costumes, fabulous musical numbers, family comedy and plenty of audience participation!
Other names associated with Doctor Who include:
Gray O'Brien (Rickston Slade, Voyage of the Damned) in
Aladdin at the
Royal Centre, Nottingham;
Bradley Walsh (Elijah Spellman, Day of the Clown) in
Aladdin at the
Southend Pavillion;
Graham Cole (various inc. Melkur, Doctor Who) in
Jack and the Beanstalk at
The Stag, Sevenoaks;
John Challis (Scorby, The Seeds of Doom) in
Peter Pan at the
Stockport Plaza;
Don Gilet (Lance Bennett, The Runaway Bride) in
Aladdin at the
Churchill Theatre, Bromley;
Barbara Windsor (Peggy, Army of Ghosts) in
Dick Whittington at the
Bristol Hippodrome; Paul O'Grady/Lily Savage
(himself, The Stolen Earth) in
Aladdin at the
Mayflower Theatre, Southampton; and
Christopher Biggins (The One Doctor, Big Finish) in
Aladdin at the
Wolverhampton Grand Theatre.