Top Christmas Shows & Pantos in Birmingham 2014

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Christmas is upon us and that can only mean one thing - a cavalcade of dazzling shows for the festive season in and around Birmingham.



So whether its the double-entendres of a pantomime, the singalong factor of a hit musical or heart-warming tales that bring the sentiment of the season alive, here is Weekend Notes guide to the top theatre shows to see this Christmas.

The BFG
Birmingham Repetory Theatre
November 26, 2014 - January 24, 2015



The heartwarming tale by Roald Dahl has been adapted by David Wood for a new stage production at The Rep.

The BFG tells the story of orphan Sophie, who is snatched from her orphanage by the BFG (Big Friendly Giant) and whisked away to his home in Giant Country.

Rather than being a monster, this giant collects sweet dreams and delivers them to children. Through a series of adventures, Sophie and the BFG go in search of dreams but also find demons like the Bloodbottler and the Fleshlumpeater.

This show is recommended for children aged seven and over. You can read a review of it here .

Tickets cost £7 - £35 and are available from the Birmingham Repertory Theatre website.
Jersey Boys
New Alexandra Theatre, Birmingham
December 9, 2014 - January 3, 2015



The internationally acclaimed musical Jersey Boys tours to Birmingham for the first time to retell the story of Frankie Valli and The Four Seasons.

It's one of the glitziest feel-good musicals in the city this Christmas featuring a jukebox of legendary hits including Can't Take My Eyes Off You, Oh What a Night, Sherry, Walk Like A Man, Bye Bye Baby and Big Girls Don't Cry.

This show is set to be slick as it has won Tony, Olivier and Grammy awards for best musical and is so popular, it has been seen by over 19 million people worldwide.

Tickets cost £17.90 - £60.90 and are available by calling 0844 871 3011 or from the New Alexandra Theatre website .
The Christmas Truce
Royal Shakespeare Theatre, Stratford upon Avon
November 29, 2014 - January 31, 2015



Keeping with the First World War anniversary, the Royal Shakespeare Company (RSC) performs the uplifting tale of The Christmas Truce .

This play, suitable for children aged nine and older, is set in the trenches on Christmas Eve and Christmas Day in 1914 and based on real-life events when men from both sides of the war came together just for Christmas.

It follows soldiers in the Royal Warwickshire Regiment who break down barriers with their German counterparts after hearing them singing carols from the other side of no-man's land.

Tickets cost £8 to £57.50 and are available by calling 0844 800 1110 or from the RSC website .
Jack and The Beanstalk
Birmingham Hippodrome
December 19, 2014 - February 1, 2015



Birmingham Hippodrome's panto keeps on breaking records as the biggest in the country and it plans to continue with an all-star cast.

Jack and The Beanstalk stars Jane McDonald, Duncan James from pop group Blue, Chris Gascoyne, comedian Gary Wilmot, Paul Zerdin and Matt Slack.

A Hippodrome insider said: "Packed with magical special effects, breath-taking musical numbers and hilarious comedy this year's star-studded panto will be bigger than ever!"

Tickets cost £14 to £40 and are available from the Birmingham Hippodrome website .
Horrible Christmas
The Old Rep Theatre, Birmingham
November 13, 2014 - 17 January, 2015



From the Horrible Histories series, this show journeys through madcap adventures to retell the history of Christmas from Victorian villains to medieval monks and even the Tudors.

Along the way, there's some famous faces too including Charles Dickens, Oliver Cromwell, King Henry VIII, St Nicholas and Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer. A review of Horrible Christmas can be read here .

Tickets cost £19.50 and are available from The Old Rep Theatre website .
The Shoemaker's Holiday
Swan Theatre, Stratford upon Avon
December 11, 2014 - March 7, 2015



This romantic tale from the Royal Shakespeare Company (RSC) is a comedy about cobblers in love.

Written by Dekker, The Shoemaker's Holiday follows lovestruck wild aristocrat Rowland Lacy who is in love with a woman below his class.

When his father sends him to war to reform his ways, Rowland secretly follows his heart instead and pretends to be a Dutch shoemaker. But will it help him win over his love?

Tickets cost £5 to £42 and are available by calling 0844 800 1110 or from the RSC website .
Cinderella
Grand Theatre, Wolverhampton
December 6, 2014 - January 18, 2015



Celebrity Big Brother winner Julian Clary joins Hollyoaks star Joe Tracini to help make the dreams of poor Cinderella come true after years of putting up with her wicked stepmother and ugly sisters.

Magic, romance and a handsome prince have all the ingredients for a lively, fun panto.

Tickets cost £16.50 to £27.50 and are available by calling 01902 429212 or from The Grand Theatre website .
Aladdin
Malvern Theatres
December 11, 2014 - January 4, 2015



This panto stars British TV and film star Robert Powell - oh yes it does!

Known for his roles in movie Jesus of Nazareth and BBC comedy The Detectives, Powell looks to his wicked side to play baddie Abanazar.

With flying carpets, a genie and Widow Twankey, there's plenty of adventure for all the family as we see the poor son of a laundry owner Aladdin, played by Hi-5's Chris Edgerley, battle to win the heart of the princess.

The show also stars Channel 5's Milkshake presenter Derek Moran as Wishee Washee.

Tickets cost £10.02 - £25.20 from the Malvern Theatres website .
Cinderella
Palace Theatre, Redditch
December 8, 2014 - January 4, 2015



Fans of Australian soap opera Neighbours will recognise a familiar face in this panto at Redditch's Palace's Theatre - Madge.

Anne Charleston transforms from Ramsey Street housewife into Cinderella's fairy godmother, while Rebecca Tyson plays our hard done by heroine who will go to the ball.

Left at home by the ugliest of sisters, Cinders' luck turns around with help from friend Buttons and her fairy godmother, who make it the most glamorous night of her life.

Tickets cost £11.50 - £18.75 from the Palace Theatre website .

Aladdin
Belgrade Theatre, Coventry
Nov 26, 2014 – January 10, 2015



Watch Aladdin attempt to win the heart of the beautiful princess even though a law has decreed she can only marry a prince. It's an Arabian adventure with plenty of laughs along the way for all the family.

Tickets cost £13.25 - £21.75, children from £8.25, concessions from £10.25 – £18.75, and are available from the Belgrade Theatre website .

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