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United Kingdom and Ireland have a solid theatrical tradition, that during Christmas time express in the pantomimes.
A pantomime or a panto is a musical play for families. The story is usually taken from classic fairy tales with added music and dances and nonsense. Then everything is seasoned with jokes and the visual humour of the slapstick comedy.
Most pantos are family shows, but they are written so that also the grown up may enjoy them. Typical features of the panto are men in drags (usually mid age men) and mild sexual innuendo that gives to the adults in the audience a different reason to giggle.
If you decide to assist to a panto, don’t be surprised if your fellow spectators start to shout encouragement to the actors on the stage: the participation of the audience is one of the things that make a panto one of the funniest show types.
Here an example of a Christmas panto, played by Paul O’ Grady in its show.
Pantos are showed in many cities, played by either the most important theatres companies or the school companies. Going to see a panto is a tradition for many families in Ireland and UK and a fundamental step for those expats who aspire to call themselves natives.
Even if your aspiration is different, a panto is a great night (or morning, for a matinée) out. If you decide to visit Ireland or London this Christmas, you should definitely book a seat in one of the many theatres that have a panto in their winter season.
Here a list of Panto you can assist in Cork, Dublin and London.
Cork
Beauty and the Beast
Thursday, 10ht Dec 2015 – Sunday, 17th Jan 2016
Cork Opera House
Aladdin
Saturday, 5th Dec 2015 – Sunday, 10th Jan 2016
Everyman Theatre
Dublin
The Cheerios Panto- Beauty and the Beast
Wednesday, 9th Dec 2015 – Sunday, 10th Jan 2016
Tivoli
Little Red Riding Hood
Sunday, 29th Nov 2015 – Sunday, 10th Jan 2016
The Gaiety Theatre
Freezing
Friday, 18th Dec 2015 – Sunday, 10th Jan 2016
Olympia Theatre
Jack & The Beanstalk
Friday, 27th Nov 2015 – Sunday, 10th Jan 2016
The Helix
London
London with its many theatres has a variety of pantos for all the budgets. Here some:
Dick Whittington
Tuesday, 1st Dec 2015 – Thursday, 31st Dec 2015
Wilton’s Music Hall
Elf The Musical
Saturday, 24th Oct 2015 – Saturday, 2nd Jan 2016
Dominion Theatre
Jack & The Beanstalk
Saturday,21 Nov 2015 – Sunday, 3rd Jan 2016
Hackney Empire
Cinderella
Saturday, 21st Nov 2015 – Sunday, 3rd Jan 2016
Lyric Hammersmith
Wonder.land
Monday, 23rd Nov 2015 – Sunday 31st Jan 2016
Olivier Theatre, National Theatre
The Snowman
25th Nov 2015 to 3rd Jan 2016
The Peacock Theatre
Mirror Mirror: A Snow White Pantomime
3rd Dec 2015 to 9th Jan 2016
King’s Head Theatre
The Wizard of Oz
Saturday 12th Dec 2015 – Wednesday, 30th Dec 2015
Shaw Theatre
