Arts & Culture

Oh dear! Pantomime season is in full swing across the region, with the usual thrills, spills and childish feel-good theatre trips for us all. Here’s our guide to the best performances coming up from across the region that we think you just have to go to:

(Nov 19 – Jan 3) Alice in Wonderland - Watermill Theatre, Newbury: The creators of last year’s sell-out Christmas show, Peter Pan, bring Lewis Carroll’s classic novel to life.

(Nov 24 – Dec 5) Breaking the Ice – The Salberg, Salisbury Playhouse: Join Team Polar Bear or Team Husky and watch as the animals learn to play together.

(Nov 27 – Jan 3) Dick Whittington – Corn Exchange, Newbury: Dick Whittington is on his way to Newbury to seek his fortune in this mad adventure.

(Nov 27 – Jan 10) Aladdin – Oxford Playhouse: Join Widow Twankey, Aladdin, Princess Perfect Rose, Wishee Washee the Dog and Pee King the Duck on their adventures in the ancient city of Ox-A-For.

(Dec 1 – Dec 5) Seasons Greetings by Alan Ayckbourn – Old Fire Station: Oxford Theatre Guild returns with a riotously entertaining new production of what is considered by many to be Alan Ayckbourn’s funniest play.

(Dec 4 – Jan 2) A Christmas Carol – Pegasus Theatre, Oxford: Inventive and moving, spooky in all the right places, laugh-out loud funny with a generous helping of Christmas magic, music and adventure.

(Dec 4 – Jan 9) Treasure Island – North Wall Arts Centre: From the team behind last year’s The Wind in the Willows comes a new adaptation full of sea shanties, swash buckling and sword fights.

(Dec 5 ‚Äì Jan 3) Dick Whittington ‚Äì The Hexagon, Reading: Starring Cbeebies superstar Justin Fletcher, Reading’s favourite dame Paul Morse and children’s TV presenter Kerry Newell

(Dec 5 – Jan 3) Snow White and The Seven Dwarfs – Wyvern Theatre, Swindon: The enchanting tale takes to the stage, starring Adam Woodyatt!

(Dec 10 – Jan 3) Dear Father Christmas – Oxford Playhouse BT Studio: Back by popular demand, join us in Father Christmas’ post room where you can help save Christmas.

(Dec 12 – Dec 24) Santa Claus and the Christmas Adventure – Swindon Arts Centre: Following from its sold out West End run, the critically acclaimed Santa Claus and the Christmas Adventure is coming to Swindon!

(Dec 15 – Jan 3) Annie – New Theatre, Oxford: Annie, the world’s favourite family musical, comes to Oxford this Christmas for 3 weeks only!

(Dec 16 – Dec 19) Princess and the Pea – New Greenham Arts, Newbury: A beautiful production especially for 3 to 7 year olds. A wonderful introduction to theatre for little ones and the perfect alternative to the pantomime.

(Dec 18 – Dec 20) The Snow Queen – Arlington Arts Centre, Newbury: Beautiful re-telling of Hans Christian Andersen’s classic fairytale ballet.

(Dec 18) That’ll be the day Christmas Show – Salisbury City Hall: The UK’s most popular Rock ‘N’ Roll variety show celebrates the festive season with all your favourite Christmas classics from the 50s, 60s & 70s, plus plenty of hilarious comedy!

(Dec 19 – Dec 27) The Snow Dragon – Cornerstone Arts Centre, Oxfordshire: The night the legendary Snow Dragon is meant to bring more goodies, Billy bumps into a pack of hungry wolves in the forest. How will he escape and has he been naughty or nice?