Greater Manchester Panto season 2022: Where to watch pantomimes this Christmas

Here is out guide to the pantomimes happening this Christmas in Greater Manchester.
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There is nothing quite like a trip to the Panto at Christmas time. With their larger-than-life characters, maximalist sets, slapstick humour and audience participation, it’s the one time of year when unruly behaviour is not only acceptable, but encouraged at the theatre.

This quintessentially British tradition sees universally-loved fairy tales and children’s stories brought to life on stages all around the country – everywhere from opera houses to community halls.

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If you’re hoping to catch a Panto this year in Greater Manchester, you will not have to look very far. Here is our round-up of some of the shows taking place across all ten boroughs.

Manchester City Centre

The Opera House panto normally has a celebrity or two in its cast list and this year is no exception. Salford-born comedian Jason Manford plays the pirate villain Captain Hook in the the theatre’s performance of Peter Pan. He is joined by Britain’s Got Talent finalist Ben Nickless as Smee. The show runs from 10-22 December, with tickets starting at £13.

The Contact Theatre is putting on a panto with a twist year with their performance of Robin Hood – 80s remix. This singalong show combines the stories of the legendary Nottingham outlaw with Babes in the Woods and is set against classic 80s soundtrack. The shows runs from 10-31 December. Tickets are £24 full price, £19 for under 35s and £14 for concessions (excluding over 65’s).

Salford

The Lowry Theatre has two Christmas shows to look forward to this year, starting with Claus the Musical adapted beloved children’s book The Life and Adventures of Santa Claus by L. Frank Baum. It starts on 14 December through to 8 January, with audio accessible dates also available. Tickets start at £22.50.  From 6-8 January there will also be performances of the Three Musketeers panto, with tickets starting at £10. More information can be found

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The Empty Space at MediaCity are also hosting a pantomime this year. Aladdin will run from 14-24 December with evening and matinee performance. Ticket prices range between £12 and £20. More information  can be found on their website.

There are loads of panto performances happening throughout Greater Manchester this festive season. Credit:  Leon Neal/Getty ImagesThere are loads of panto performances happening throughout Greater Manchester this festive season. Credit:  Leon Neal/Getty Images
There are loads of panto performances happening throughout Greater Manchester this festive season. Credit: Leon Neal/Getty Images

Rochdale

You can catch Strictly Come Dancing professional Katya Jones as the Wicked Queen Britain’s Got Talent finalist Lucy Kay in the lead role  in Snow White at the Middleton Arena. CBBC’s Hacker T Dog will also be making an appearance as the Magic Mirror. The show will run from 29 November to 28 December. Tickets start at £16.50. More information can be found on their website.

Elsewhere in Rochdale, Jack and the Beanstalk is coming to the Heywood Civic Centre. Coronation Street’s Tracy Shaw will star as Fleshcreep, alongside Britain’s Got Talent’s Steven Hall as The King and TV & radio’s Mikey Smith as Jack Trott. Performances run from 17-28 December, with tickets starting at £9.50.

Tameside

Panto classic Dick Wittington is coming to Guide Bridge Theatre Christmas starting on 30 November and running through to 11 December. It tells the story of a man and his feline friends on their quest for fame. Tickets start at £10 and are already selling fast. More information can be found on the theatre’s website.

Bolton

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If you’re looking for a panto that’s on right now, head to Bolton’s Victoria Halls where they will be showing Freezin, a story about Queen Ellie and ​Princess Honour who are on a mission to beat Jack Frost. It’s only on 22-28 October during half term, so be sure to move fast on this one. More information can be found via Ticketsource.

If you’re looking for something closer to the festive season, Victoria Halls will also be showing Snow White which runs from 12 November to 5 January. Tickets can be bought via Ticketsource.

Also in Bolton, Albert Halls will be presenting Jack and the Beanstalk, running from 2 December to 1 January. Tickets start at £18 and can be found on the Albert Halls website.

Oldham

There is plenty of panto action going on in Oldham this year. The town’s famous Coliseum Theatre will be showing Robin Hood from 12 November to 7 January. Tickets start at £18 and can be found on the Coliseum website.

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The Queen Elizabeth Hall panto this year is Cinderella and will be showing from 16 December to 7 January. Tickets cost £14 plus booking fee and can be found on the venue’s website.

In Saddleworth, the Big Tiny theatre company are bringing their panto to the Millgate Arts Centre for the fourth year. This season they present Aladdin, running from 10-31 December. Tickets start at £14 and can be purchased via the Saddleworth Live website.

The best pantomimes coming to Leeds this ChristmasThe best pantomimes coming to Leeds this Christmas
The best pantomimes coming to Leeds this Christmas

Bury

The Met in Bury will be presenting another Big Tiny production with Dick Wittington this Christmas season, running from 8-24 December. There will be relaxed performances for the youngest children, BSL interpreted performances as well as pyjama performances, where audience members are encouraged to come in their comfiest clothes. Tickets are £13 for children and £16 for adults.

Wigan

Pendle productions are bringing Aladdin to the Old Courts in Wigan this Christmas. It will run from 3-23 December. More information and tickets can be found via the venue’s website.

Trafford

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The Altrincham Garrick Theatre will be showing Dick Whittington this year. The show will run from 9 December through to 2 January. Adult tickets are £18 and children’s are £12. They can be purchased via the theatre’s website.

Stockport

There are a couple of famous faces in panto at Stockport Plaza this year. Former Eastenders actress Cheryl Fergison plays the Fairy Godmother in Cinderella, alongside Early Doors’ and ‘The Royle Family’ actor Phil Meaney. It will run from 8 December to 8 January. Tickets can be found on the venue’s website.

In Romiley, the Focus Theatre will be showing Rapunzel from 11-31 December. Tickets start at £18 and can be found on the theatre’s website.