23 stories by "John Hannam"
This year the Kings Theatre has shrewdly brought back several past favourites. With some of the other cast members making their pantomime
The New Theatre Royal's first in-house Christmas production since its re-opening in 2015 is a version of Beauty and the Beast that
Over past years, Ferneham Hall has strived to make its Christmas productions a little different. This year’s Aladdin is a case in
Santa Claus – The Musical had its British debut in 2005 at the huge Mayflower Theatre, Southampton. Then it would have been
Combining both old and new pantomime traditions, this fine UK Productions' Sleeping Beauty boasts a strong cast, blessed with some very capable
Last year’s Cinderella was one of the best pantomimes to be staged at the Kings Theatre for many years. It starred Matt
Robert McWhir's traditional staging of Sleeping Beauty benefits from a number of strong performances and some powerful singing. It's a funny, fast-paced
Groundlings Theatre, Portsea: This low-budget Cinderella works perfectly in the Groundlings' very intimate space, and the players join the audience on a few occasions for some Benny Hil…
Mayflower Theatre, Southampton: This is a refreshing, modern day Cinderella which still maintains the essentials in the storyline but is cleverly produced for today's market.
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Theatre Royal, Winchester: Sleeping Beauty was cleverly chosen to celebrate the 100th anniversary of the Winchester Theatre Royal. It is one of its finest of recent years and puts the venue …
Kings Theatre, Southsea: Another in a fine list of successful Southsea pantomimes that first began in 1907 - and how times have changed.
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Ferneham Hall, Fareham: Blunderbore is well over 12 foot high and so realistic - he certainly looks down on another fine production at the Ferneham Hall. It's a real family show, with s…
Mayflower, Southampton: Brian Conley displays a wide range of performance skills here, which might raise the eyebrows of those who have only seen him on TV. As Robinson Crusoe he is full of …
Theatre Royal, Winchester: Not one of Winchester's finest pantomimes of the past few years. This Snow White falls well their normal standard. It's a real budget production with tra…
Nuffield Theatre, Southampton: The Nutcracker story, not always so obvious in the ballet, is beautifully told here with eight top quality actors and musicians. There are several outstanding …
Kings Theatre, Southsea, Portsmouth: This Southsea Sleeping Beauty is full of surprises and they all contribute to create a highly enjoyable production which contains a neat blend of youth a…
Quay Arts Centre, Newport, Isle of Wight: This New Forest-based company continues to impress with its quality small scale productions and ability to constantly find actors with talent, enthu…
The Haymarket, Basingstoke: This show, inspired by Lucy Clifford's 1882 story Wooden Tony and based on themes surrounding autism, represents an exciting change of direction for busy Ham…
Broad Chalke Village Hall, Salisbury: Few Forest Forge Christmas productions have ever topped Midnight is a Place. The story, involving the dealings of a mill, is fast moving and a little ha…
Mayflower, Southampton: Thankfully, real pantomime is back at the Mayflower, Southampton, with the best production ever to be seen on the south coast. It's still traditional, with all t…
Ferneham Hall, Fareham : This show ignited as soon as Ben Redfern rushed on stage as Buttons, closely followed by two brilliant Ugly Sisters, Richard Pocock and Mark Siney. These three, in …
Theatre Royal, Winchester: This is the most disappointing Winchester pantomime I have seen for several years. Aladdin has a poor script, the company are less impressive than in many of their…
Kings Theatre, Southsea: Another pantomime feast at the Kings, Southsea, one of the South's most beautiful theatres. This Snow White features the biggest company it has had for years an…
