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It's Showtime - Pantomime, christmas and winter theatre in Norfolk
Its Showtime for Christmas 2023!
Theatres across Norfolk are marking the festive season with a great selection of pantomimes, musicals and other shows this winter, all suitable for families. See our guide to stage shows that you can see this Christmas and winter in Norfolk.
Updated 2/11/2023
Check out our full Norfolk listings for families here
The Garage
28th November to 31st December
My First: The Night Before Christmas
“’Twas the night before Christmas when all through the house,
Not a creature was stirring, not even a mouse!”
Dress up to dance, race after reindeer and prepare to party as you help Lucy get ready for her Christmas celebration. Have a game of giant Jenga with a pile of presents, and pick up some percussion to join in Lucy’s orchestra. But who’s the unexpected guest arriving in a cloud of soot? Sing, jump and play your way through the party in our special interactive studio theatre.
This original show for ages 0-4 is a feelgood, fun and family-focused journey that will lift your spirits and capture the true magic of Christmas.
14th to 24th December
A Pinocchio Adventure
Join Pinocchio as he sets off on a thrilling new musical adventure, torn between his longing to be a puppet again and the challenges of being a normal boy.
When he encounters the sly Fox, who tempts him with the promise of riches and fame, Pinocchio’s loyalty to his true self is put to the test. With his friend Cricket, Pinocchio navigates a series of exciting escapades and learns the importance of accepting oneself.
Experience this timeless tale in a captivating stage adaptation that continues the story after the events of the famous film.
This heartwarming tale, aimed at children aged 5 and over and their families, is brought to life with captivating performances, dazzling sets, and a powerful message about self-acceptance and embracing who you truly are.
Book your tickets now and join Pinocchio this Christmas on his unforgettable journey of self-discovery.
Norwich Theatre Playhouse
15th to 26th November
The Gruffalo said that no gruffalo should Ever set foot in the deep dark wood…
Follow the Gruffalo’s Child on her adventurous mission in Tall Stories’ enchanting adaptation of the much-loved picture book by Julia Donaldson and Axel Scheffler.
One wild and windy night the Gruffalo’s Child ignores her father’s warnings about the Big Bad Mouse and tiptoes out into the deep dark wood. She follows snowy tracks and encounters mysterious creatures – but the Big Bad Mouse doesn’t really exist… does he?
Let your imagination run wild with songs, laughs and scary fun for everyone aged 3 to 103.
Norwich Theatre Stage Two
15th November
The Turtle, the Monkey, and the Bird have all lost their home. Men in big, bright, yellow jackets came and chopped down all the trees. Now they’re forced away to fend for themselves, make their own new homes and pick up the pieces of the mess that the humans
have left behind. How will the animals cope on their own? What can humans do to make the world better for the animals of the rainforest? And why is the Turtle so clumsy?
Concrete Youth’s new multi-sensory theatre production, The Whispering Jungle, brings together ASMR, sensory play and sensory puppets in an immersive touring production for young audiences with profound and multiple learning disabilities.
Come and help the animals of the rainforest rebuild their home and realise that home really is wherever you’re with your family.
6th to 17th December
The Snowsmith
What can unite the grumpy town of Thawmor this winter? Legends tell of soft white snow that blankets the ground, and inventor Eira is determined to bring it back. So grab your goggles and join her madcap adventure as she battles a fearsome whale, explores an abandoned mine, and meets herds of goats whilst finding unlikely friends in the strangest of places.
Get lost in a world of breath-taking puppetry, live songs and folk music, all led by captivating storytellers. Discover this original winter tale that will enthrall the whole family, and answer the question: will it snow this winter?
Norwich Theatre Royal
9th December to 7th January
Wakey wakey, rise and shine. It’s Norwich Theatre’s pantomime!
We all think we know the story of Sleeping Beauty. When our princess turns 18 she pricks her finger on a spinning wheel, cursed to sleep for eternity unless she can be awoken by her ‘true loves kiss’. Enter the Prince. Right? Maybe not… What is true love anyway?
This pantomime get ready to see the other side of Sleeping Beauty, the Fairy’s tale. Join us as we learn how the Queen and Fairy embark on a journey to save our Sleeping Beauty, with a prince in tow and despite the efforts of the Evil Fairy.
Beverley Callard will take on the role of the Evil Fairy in this year’s pantomime. Beverley is best known for pulling pints at the Rovers as Liz McDonald on Coronation Street. Local treasure YouTube star and The Times best selling author Joe Tracini will be bringing his unique madcap comedy style to The Fairy. Norwich Theatre legend Richard Gauntlett will be returning for his 23rd year. Expect flamboyant dresses and elaborate wigs when Richard plays The Queen.
Millie O’Connell will take on the role of Sleeping Beauty, having played one of the original SIX the Musical Queens, and appearing most recently at Norwich Theatre Royal as Babe in The Cher Show. Karl Queensborough, star of Hamilton, will play the role of the Prince in this year’s panto. Read on to see our special offers.
Can dreams really come true? Will the fairy save the day? Is the Prince the only way? Full of pantomime cheer and sparkle, there will be all the songs, jokes, mischief and dancing you expect, plus the chance to boo, hiss and cheer of course!
Norwich Puppet Theatre
6th to 31st December
If you are looking for a festive treat this Christmas come to Norwich Puppet Theatre to see a magical puppet pantomime version of Jack and the Beanstalk.
Last year, writer, director and puppeteer Mark Mander created a smash-hit version of Cinderella using elegant string puppets. To create an exciting contrast this year, Mark has chosen traditional glove puppets to bring Jack’s adventures to life.
Glove puppets are fantastic at physical comedy, making them perfect for panto! Their knock-about humour is well suited to a fabulous adventure story like Jack and the Beanstalk, and this year’s cast of puppeteers includes one of the most skilled glove puppeteers in the country, Ronnie Le Drew. Ronnie is well-known as the man behind Zippy from Rainbow, but he has also performed puppetry alongside one of the most famous glove puppets in the country – a certain Sooty, so Jack will be in good hands!
Jack and the Beanstalk features beautiful multimedia miniature sets, glittering costumes and some of the best puppetry in the UK.
The laugh-out -loud comedy is suitable for the entire family, so come cheer Jack and his faithful cow, Pat.
Just what is at the top of the beanstalk? – a magical pantomime, that’s what!
Be dazzled, delighted, and entertained by this unique and magical puppet pantomime for ages 4 to 104!
Cromer Pier
25th November to 30th December
Christmas begins when The Cromer Pier Christmas Show opens!
The Cromer Pier Christmas Show will warm your hearts and get you well and truly in the Christmas spirit with a heap of festive fun.
Expect all the usual West End production values including our jaw-dropping 8-meter video wall delivering sensational special effects to a whole new level, alongside our much loved traditional scene sets and dazzling bespoke costumes.
Everything is top secret just now but what you can be sure of is laughs by the bucket load, thrilling speciality acts, powerhouse vocals, and spellbinding dance routines, delivered in our special trademark way, worthy of the only full season end of pier show in the world!
The Cromer Pier Christmas Show will open on 25th November and run until 30th December 2023. Tickets on sale now!
The Corn Hall, Diss
16th to 31st December
Polish off your pumpkin, dust off your gowns, and join Prince Charming as he hosts the biggest Christmas party of the year in search of his one true love.
Will he succeed before the clock strikes twelve? Will the hilarious Ugly Sisters, steal his heart? Will Cinderella’s evil Step Mother, the Baroness of Burston lock her away? Or will the Fairy Godmother and Buttons ensure we all live happily ever after?
Don’t miss the greatest fairy-tale of all brought to life with fabulous costumes, catchy songs, fantastic dancers, laugh out loud comedy and plenty of audience interaction.
27th January
West End Magic
London's longest-running theatre magic show, direct from the Leicester Square Theatre, presents some of the most exciting names in magic & variety in the UK.
An exciting, family-friendly show offering an amazing mixture of magic, comedy and variety acts, featuring British Champion of Magic Oliver Tabor, magical compere Wayne Trice plus special guest acts.
Since 2013, the regular London based show runs throughout the year featuring incredible award-winning magic, mind reading mysteries, hilarious comedy and can include ventriloquism, juggling and crazy stunts. The perfect treat for all the family, suitable for ages 5 to 105.
Guaranteed to deliver the best in magic, illusion, comedy and variety.
Hemsby Village Hall
www.facebook.com/encore-theatre-company
7th to 10th December
Aladdin
Aladdin is the classic story of a poor boy who works in a laundrette, along with his mother Widow Twankey, and his older brother, Wishee Washee. But poverty doesn’t stop Aladdin’s dreams of one day marrying the beautiful Princess Jasmine. The evil Abanazar arrives looking for a young boy to help him retrieve a magic lamp holding a powerful Genie, that has been hidden away in a cave for a thousand years. Aladdin agrees to help him in return for making him rich enough to marry the Princess.
Will Aladdin’s dream of marrying Princess Jasmine actually come true?
With lavish settings and colourful costumes, the Encore Theatre Company can promise a spectacular show. The Company are once again pleased to support ‘Sunbeams’ a Norfolk-based charity for children and young people with Autism.
Performance dates are Thursday 7th December 2023, Friday 8th December 2023, Saturday 9th December 2023 (matinee and evening shows) and Sunday 10th December 2023 (matinee) at the Village Hall in Hemsby, Norfolk NR29 4NH. Evening shows commence at 7pm. Matinees are starting at 2pm on Saturday and 1pm on Sunday.
Tickets are priced £7 for adults or £4 for children.
Seats may be booked by calling Pam on 01603 783809 or in person at the Hemsby Post Office.
Norwich Arts Centre
www.norwichartscentre.co.uk
10th December
Comedy Club 4 Kids Christmas Cracker
All the fun of Comedy Club 4 Kids with a Christmas twist.
Expect the finest Christmas Cracker jokes, tinsel tomfoolery, festive funnies and maybe even Santa doing stand-up!
Starring Comedy Club 4 Kids’ regular Ben Van Der Velde hims-elf, Howard Read of ‘Little Howard’ and CBBC fame, and hilarious double-act Shelf –– this show will be jam-packed with a whole heap of Christmas Comedy Fun to get you in the mood for the BIG DAY (you know, when the big red jolly guy comes down the chimney).
The Hippodrome Circus
www.hippodromecircus.com
9th December to 7th January
Christmas Spectacular Circus and Water Show
Magical Christmas Spectacular with an international circus cast.
Gorleston Pavilion
16th to 18th November
Joseph & The Amazing Technicolour Dreamcoat
Performance of the famous music performed by Dusmagrik Young People’s Theatre Company
25th and 26th November
A Christmas Carol – With A Twist
Festive performance with seasonal Christmas music and lively dance routines from Stage Door Youth Theatre
7th December to 6th January 2024
Dick Whittington
Traditional family pantomime from an all-new creative team taking you on a magical journey through the streets of London with Dick, his cat Tommy and the cheeky panto dame Sarah the Cook
12th to 14th January 2024
Treasure Island – The Pantomime
Return of the annual pantomime from Triple T Productions for audiences of all ages with laughter, songs, colourful costumes and audience participation. Held at 2019 prices.
17th and 18th January 2024
Kidz Pop Party
Live music event bringing together pop hits, dance floor fillers and childhood classics in a combination of live music, dance and comedy
Maddermarket Theatre
1st to 3rd December
Xmas Pop Party
Christmas music extravaganza with live music, singing, dancing, circus and Christmas comedy
4th and 5th December
A Christmas Cracker
Afternoon of Christmas Words and Music. Listen to some of the best loved and well known Christmas songs together with popular carols and Christmas readings. Refreshments included.
15th to 30th December
The Wonderful Wizard of Oz
Big hearted adaptation of the classic story – not the musical adaptation. Relaxed performance on 22nd December and family tickets are also available.
Sheringham Little Theatre
www.sheringhamlittletheatre.ticketsolve.com
15th December to 2nd January 2024
Cinderella
Pantomime performance of the classic story brought to life with costumes, catchy songs, dancers, comedy and plenty of audience interaction
18th December
The Nutcracker
Screening of the festive ballet classic
Thursford
8th November to 23rd December
Christmas Spectacular
Extravaganza of non-stop singing, dancing, music humour and variety suitable for ages 8+
Cinema City
www.picturehouses.com/cinema/cinema-city-picturehouse
Saturdays
Kids Club
Reduced price film screenings – see website for schedule
Wells Maltings
www.wellsmaltings.org.uk
17th December
Royal Ballet Live: The Nutcracker
Screening of this classic ballet
Westacre Theatre
1st December
Treasure Island
Silly, funny, festive family show full of preposterous pirates and dozens of dubloons
Dates from 15th December
Grimm Tales
Rediscover the magic and wonder of the original Grimm Tales retold by Phillip Pullman in this production suitable for ages 6+
Princess Theatre
2nd December to 1st January
Jack and the Beanstalk
Pantomime accompanied by fun audience participation, spectacular costumes and lots of laughs. Signed performance on 19th December.
St George’s Theatre
15th to 31st December
Robin Hood
Pantomime of the classic story with laugh out loud comedy, dancers, popular songs, audience participation and special effects
Fairhaven Woodland and Water Garden
www.fairhavengarden.merlintickets.co.uk
29th November
Elf
Film screening of the much loved festive family film
29th November
Home Alone
Screening of the festive family film