Christmas shows across Liverpool City Region in 2024
Untangle the tinsel and fairy lights, dig out the ‘elf on a shelf’ and break out the selection box – the most wonderful time of the year is on the horizon again.
And if summer 2024 was nothing to write home about, we can at least make up for it by enjoying a champion Christmas.
Venues across the breadth of Liverpool and the wider ‘city region’ are promising a cornucopia of Christmas delights, from traditional pantos to less traditional ways to mark the season of good cheer. Rocky Horror I’m looking at you.
This year there’s a good spread of favourite fairytales represented with three Sleeping Beauties and a brace of Cinderellas, Peter Pans and Aladdins, along with flags being flown for Rapunzel, Red Riding Hood and Snow White.
But there are also plenty of other magical tales being told, from Star of Wonder at the Unity to Alice in Wonderland at Shakespeare North Playhouse, and It’s a Wonderful Life at the Royal Court Studio to the enchanting The Tale of Nobody Nose over in Ellesmere Port.
And of course, the Royal Liverpool Philharmonic will be getting into the Spirit of Christmas.
Here’s what’s happening where, in date order of their opening, and how you can book. Season’s greetings one and all!
The Scouse Red Riding Hood - Liverpool’s Royal Court
November 8 to January 18
Following the Scouse Dick Whittington, the Scouse Jack and the Beanstalk and the Scouse Cinderella, those jolly japsters at the Royal Court are first out of the blocks this festive season with The Scouse Red Riding Hood.
Expect plenty of jokes and even more music in this seasonal romp that involves a wolf, a bed-bound granny and a pan of Scouse. But beware – this is panto for grown-ups only.
Drew Schofield, Lindzi Germain, Keddy Sutton, Liam Tobin and Adam McCoy are among the cast of Kevin Fearon’s show, while Mark Chatterton returns to direct and Howard Gray is musical director.
Book HERE
Rapunzel Rock ‘n’ Roll Panto - Liverpool Everyman
November 16 to January 18
They’ll be letting down their hair regularly on this two-month run for the near legendary rock ‘n’ roll panto which this year tells – in Everyman fashion – the tale of Rapunzel.
Spinning the yarn is writer Jude Christian while Francesca Goodridge directs a cast which includes Michael Starke as Dame Debbie Updo, Emma Bispham, Zoe West, Ben Boskovic as Prince Timotei and Ai Kumar as the titular heroine.
And of course it wouldn’t be an Everyman panto without Adam Keast, returning this year as Fairy Fixer-Upper.
Book HERE
It’s a Wonderful Life – Royal Court Studio
November 19-30
It’s Christmas Eve in Bedford Falls and down on his luck banker George Bailey believes life has left him behind. But when his guardian angel appears, George is astounded to witness what life could be like without all the good deeds he’s done.
Old Fruit Jar Productions (The Incident Room, Twelfth Night) brings Mary Elliott Nelson’s enchanting adaptation of Frank Capra’s beloved 1946 festive feelgood tearjerker to the stage in the Royal Court Studio in a production directed by Alex Carr.
Book HERE
Alice in Wonderland - Shakespeare North Playhouse
November 22 to January 5
Alice has always told her children stories of her adventures in a faraway world, not that they believe her. Even Alice has begun to doubt whether she’d really lived that daydream. Until, one Christmas Eve, caught up in the chaos of last-minute shopping, a flash of white fur lures Alice back into an all too familiar story…
Wonderland has fallen into the terrible rule of The Duchess, the cold-hard successor to the Queen of Hearts. Memory wiping jam tarts and informant eggs control the kingdom and make everyone miserable. Once again, Alice’s old friends, the Mad Hatter and the Cheshire Cat need her help to restore freedom to Wonderland!
Alice, however, is more bothered about getting back to her family in time for Christmas…
Helen Carter plays adult Alice in this new festive tale from Nick Lane and which is being directed by Nathan Powell.
Book HERE
Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs - St Helens Theatre Royal
November 30 to January 12
Maureen Nolan appears as the Wicked Queen and Corrie’s Emrhys Cooper plays Prince Fredrick in this all-singing, all-dancing Christmas extravaganza at St Helens Theatre Royal.
Add in Leanne Campbell as a talking mirror (but not appearing in person as she’s splitting herself in two this season), Lewis Devine as Muddles, and seven small people voiced by some big names (you may recognise Johnny Vegas, Louis Emerick and Craig Phillips among others) and it should be quite the panto party.
The production is directed by Chantelle Nolan and written by Liam Mellor.
Book HERE
Rocky Horror Show - Liverpool Playhouse
December 3 to January 4
Crazy, colourful characters, catchy tunes, a ridiculous plot and plenty of audience participation? Sounds a lot like panto to me – oh yes it does.
But actually, it’s the Rocky Horror Show, roaring into the Liverpool Playhouse for Christmas 2024 and promising to rose tint its audiences’ worlds with some sweet Transylvanian action, and not forgetting a spot of Time Warp.
Leanne Campbell takes on the main Narrator duties, but Pete Price opens the run with the big book – and he’ll be joined by Jason Donovan who is appearing as Frank N Furter in the first few performances before Stephen Webb squeezes into the stockings and suspenders.
Book HERE
Royal Court Stocking Fillers - Royal Court Studio
December 5-29
While Red Riding Hood is battling the big bad wolf upstairs, ‘Stocking Fillers’ return to the Royal Court Studio for another Christmas selection box of stories.
Each evening features seven new 10-minute festive plays written by members of Royal Court writing groups and performed by a versatile cast of professional actors, with professional directors at the helm.
This season’s offerings are Kiss My Humper by Alex Alexandre, Party Time for Jesus by Paul Ariss, Iain Christie’s Corned Beef Hash and Runny Eggs, Saved by the Jingle Bells by David Holmes, Ste Mc’s The Death of Christmas, Marya McCann’s Santa Baby, and A Christmas Lift by Sarah Whitehead.
Book HERE
Aladdin - The Brindley, Runcorn
December 5 to January 5
Enjoy a magic carpet ride to The Brindley this Christmas where New Pantomime Productions presents Aladdin.
The Traitors’ Amanda Lovett appears as the Empress in the show which also stars Rubin Kavanagh as the titular Aladdin, Rebecca Lake as Yasmin, Alexander J Smith as Abanazer, Matt Dallen as Wishee and Sean Luckham as Widow Twanky.
Audiences are promised “spectacular scenery, dazzling costumes, hilarious jokes, singalong songs and fun for all the family.”
Book HERE
The Further Adventures of Peter Pan: The Return of Captain Hook - Floral Pavilion
December 6 to January 5
The Floral Pavilion is taking a trip to Neverland this December for a story that looks beyond JM Barrie’s beloved original tale to imagine what happened next.
Audiences are invited to join Peter, Smee, Tinkerbell and Ethyl Mermaid on a new swashbuckling adventure full of fun, laughter and crocodiles.
Never has the phrase ‘he’s behind you’ been so ominous. Tick tock!
Danny Colligan plays the eponymous Peter Pan, Tom Lister is Captain Hook and panto favourite Sean Jones is the piratical Smee.
Book HERE
Sleeping Beauty - The Atkinson
December 6-31
The Atkinson and KD Theatre Productions Ltd present the most spellbinding panto of them all this Christmas – and its Sleeping Beauty promises to spin quite the yarn.
In the far away kingdom of Southportopia, a princess awaits the true love’s kiss which will awaken her from her deep slumber. But beware, the evil fairy Carabosse has cast a spell (boo) and only the bravest heroes (hurrah) can break it.
Samantha Richards is Princess Beauty, Exaucé Yagi appears as Prince Lancelot, and Carabosse is played by Coral Mourant.
Book HERE
Cinderella - Gladstone Theatre, Port Sunlight
December 6-31
Magic wands, pumpkins and midnight chimes? It can only be the world’s favourite fairytale Cinderella, set to entertain Port Sunlight’s panto audiences this festive season.
Liverpool’s Dreamworld Entertainments promises everyone will have a ball with the spectacular show something everyone from five to 95 will enjoy.
Charlie Matthews is Cinderella, Alex Patmore is her Prince Charming, Jenna Sian O’Hara is the Fairy Godmother, Tom Eason appears as Buttons and Amber Porter will be the Wicked Stepmother.
Book HERE
Cinderella - Knowsley Culture and Leisure Park
December 7-8
If you want to go to the ball at Knowsley Culture and Leisure Park this Christmas, you’ll need to get your skates on, let alone your glass slippers.
Trio Entertainment brings the greatest fairytale of them all comes to the venue for one weekend of public shows only, with Cinders (Brittany Feeney who won the Miss Liverpool title in 2023) swapping her rags for a beautiful ballgown as she gets to meet her Prince Charming, played by Corrie’s Scott Wright.
The cast also includes Jordan Bateman and Jolene Dover as Cinderella’s stepsisters and Stuart Earp as her loyal but hapless friend Buttons. Amy Blackwell plays the Fairy Godmother and Chelsea Thornley-Earp is Baroness von Hardup.
Book HERE
Disney’s Aladdin - Liverpool Empire
December 11 to January 5
Disney’s spectacular Broadway and West End smash hit musical flies in to Lime Street for Christmas this year.
More than 14 million people worldwide have seen the show, based on the 1992 animated film, since it was premiered in Seattle back in 2011.
The musical has a book by Chad Beguelin, music from Alan Mencken and lyrics by Howard Ashton, Tim Rice and Beguelin – including the Rice/Mencken classic A Whole New World.
Book HERE
Sleeping Beauty - Hope Street Theatre
December 13-31
Just Entertainment Ltd marks its fourth Christmas at the Hope Street Theatre with a beauty of a panto.
When celebrating her 18th birthday Princess Aurora pricks her finger on a spinning wheel poisoned by the evil Carabosse, it’s down to Fairy Twinkle to try and ameliorate the curse – Aurora is destined to fall asleep not forever, but only until she’s woken by true love’s kiss.
The magical family entertainment stars Lily Wheeler as Princess Aurora, Brian Comer as Prince Gareth of Gateacre, Phil Perez as King Kristoph, Roxanne Male as Fairy Twinkle and Aaron Hayes as Dame Dolly.
Book HERE
Star of Wonder - Unity Theatre
December 17-21
There’s a Christmas show back at the Unity for the first time since Covid – but if you want to enjoy the Star of Wonder you’ll need to book fast because there are limited public performances.
Join three friends on a wondrous journey to follow a star. They fall out, get lost, overcome obstacles and finally find what they are looking for in this enchanting show directed by Nina Hajiyanni of Theatre Porto and featuring clowning, magical interaction and brilliant puppetry.
Book HERE
The Magical Adventures of Peter Pan - Auditorium at M&S Bank Arena
December 17-29
Shine Productions returns to the arena’s auditorium for the Christmas season, this time with The Magical Adventures of Peter Pan.
Join Peter and his loyal fairy sidekick Tink as they return to Neverland where fairies, pirates, mermaids and Lost Boys await – as well as a certain hook-handed villain and his hapless crew.
There’s a live band, dazzling dance routines, some amazing special effects and plenty of chances to cheer and boo.
Book HERE
Spirit of Christmas – Philharmonic Hall
December 17, 18, 21 and 23
It wouldn’t be Christmas in Liverpool without a trip to the Philharmonic Hall.
O Come, All Ye Faithful and join the RLPO, Choir and Youth Choirs for an evening of magical and moving music making, with carols both new and old, and plenty of chance for some audience participation.
This year’s very special guest presenter is Liverpool favourite Roderick Williams, and as well as introducing the music he will be lending his exquisite baritone as guest artist too. A double delight.
Book HERE
Santa Comes to Town – Philharmonic Hall
December 21-22
Ho ho ho! The Royal Liverpool Philharmonic organises its annual festive family favourite with seasonal celebrations and surprises aplenty.
At the heart of the 2024 concerts is Zeb Soanes’ heart-warming story of how Gaspard the Fox saved Christmas. Join Gaspard along with all the other animals who are part of the seasonal celebrations.
Michael Seal conducts, Alasdair Molloy presents, Soanes narrates (and will also be signing copies of his book Gaspard’s Christmas in the foyer) and the Liverpool Philharmonic Children’s Choirs join the orchestra on stage.
Book HERE
And a little further away….
The Tale of Nobody Nose – Theatre Porto, Ellesmere Port
December 5-22
Theatre Porto is renown for offering enchanting entertainment for young people and Christmas 2024 is no exception.
The venue has joined forces with Goofus Theatre to present The Tale of Nobody Nose which combines imaginative, wordless storytelling, puppetry and classic clowning.
Embark on a wintery adventure led by three clowns – Boz, Yolo and Flo – who travel wherever their magical map of dreams takes them.
Book HERE
Sleeping Beauty - Chester Storyhouse
December 6-29
Evil fairies are having a busy festive season this year – and one which includes a visit to the Chester Storyhouse stage.
Writer Samantha O’Rourke, who penned last year’s panto Cinderella, brings her own special sprinkling of magic to the story of the princess doomed to eternal sleep unless someone very special comes to release her from baddie Maleficent’s curse.
Grace Venus is Aurora, Will Kirk plays the Prince, Polly Lister is Maleficent and there are even two squirrels – Spike and Susie. The production is directed by Ameera Conrad.
Book HERE
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