Christmas pantomimes 2020 you can see in Portsmouth and Southampton

Because of the coronavirus pandemic many theatres across the UK have opted not to put on a festive show this year, with pantos being cancelled in the last few months.

Fortunately for families on the south coast, there are still two pantomimes scheduled for this year – including in Portsmouth and Southampton.

Social distancing will be in place for both productions, so audience members will be limited and you can only sit in groups of up to six people.

Other hygiene and safety protocols will be in place to ensure audiences can enjoy the pre-Christmas favourites.

Here are the pantomimes you can choose from for Christmas 2020 and how you can book tickets:

Dick Whittington – The Kings Theatre, Portsmouth

This year the Albert Road theatre is producing the pantomime itself for the first time, and boasts a star cast that would not look out of place in the West End.

Sean Smith, X Factor finalist and one half of Same Difference, will star as Dick Whittington, theatre favourite Jack Edwards plays Dame Dolly, and there are also appearances from Julia Worsley and Las Vegas Best New Act award winner James Percy.

The classic tale is retold as a fun-filled modern pantomime as Dick heads off to London on a thrilling quest to find his fortune.

Audience members are limited to 400 to comply with social distancing rules. Parties larger than six can be accommodated but will need to sit apart.

Dick Whittington runs from November 28 to December 31. All tickets £20. For tickets and more information, visit the website.

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Sleeping Beauty – Mayflower Theatre, Southampton

Thanks to National Lottery funding for theatres, the Mayflower has announced it will be putting on a production of Sleeping Beauty this year.

The show will star comedian Joe Pasquale, Birds of a Feather star Lesley Joseph and iconic female impersonator Ceri Dupree.

Pasquale will lead the cast in the role of Princess Beauty’s best friend, Muddles while Joseph will have the crowd booing and hissing in her role as the evil Carabosse.

It comes after the theatre was forced to cancel its Christmas pantomime Cinderella earlier this year, but the production will instead run in 2021.

The show will play from Saturday December 19 for a limited two week run.

Tickets for Sleeping Beauty are on sale from mayflower.org.uk or 02380 711811.

A message from the Editor, Mark Waldron

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