It wouldn't be right not to include a Christmas special on this list, Oh no it wouldn't! Pantomimes, a British classic, provides an exceptional and unique theatre experience for adults and kids alike, often being the latter's introduction to theatre! And what joy they are!
Whether it was a pantomime or a more modern Christmas show, here is a round up of the AIT members' favourite festive show of 2024.
Mother Goose | Theatr Clwyd
"I have been visiting Theatr Clwyd's annual pantomimes for well over 10 years and my highlight of this pantomime is the returning faces that grace the stage year upon year. The whole cast are an extremely talented bunch - as well as being great actors, they all prove to be excellent musicians as they also play live music too. Theatr Clwyd always provides high quality production and entertainment value, and it's fun for all the family too."
Vicky
Dick Whittington and His Cat | Greenwich Theatre
"Admittedly I hadn't seen many Christmas shows this year, but I really enjoyed Dick Whittington and His Cat at the Greenwich Theatre. It had the everything that makes a pantomime great, without the tiresome usual gags, plus a touch of crazy that I really admired. The stylish enthusiastic King Rat is well matched by the smiley earnest Dick Whittington. Plus Sam Bailey in a lead role is perfect!"
Oviya
A Christmas Carol | Northern Stage
"I went to see A Christmas Carol at Northern Stage, which was utterly brilliant. I’m not a panto fan, so this was the perfect show to see. The cast was fantastic, and I loved their take on the classic show."
Ally
Tinderella | Hope Mill Theatre
"There haven’t been many for me but I’ll go with Tinderella - it was wacky, silly, and absolutely filthy, everything you could want from an adult pantomime."
James
Potted Panto | Wilton's Music Hall
"Why see just one pantomime when you can see seven (or perhaps twelve) in one evening? Potted Panto really captured the magic of pantomime for me, as it careened through a selection of beloved plots and traditional panto gags at breakneck speed."
Julie
Homo Alone | The Other Palace
"Homo Alone was surprisingly funny! I did not expect much from this show but ended up belly laughing the entire time! The premise: an adult version of Home Alone. Did not disappoint!"
Emma
A Christmas Carol | The Lowry
"A Christmas Carol produced by Hope Mill Theatre blew me away. A near faultless production reimagining the classic tale. An honourable mention must go also to Sleeping Beauty at Theatre Severn in Shrewsbury which is one of the best pantomimes I have seen in a very long time."
Jordan
Peter Pan | London Palladium
"Last year’s Palladium Panto, Peter Pan, which I saw in early January 2024, it was an absolutely hilarious, bonkers and high camp production which I really hope is the same when I see this year’s panto, Robin Hood, very soon!"
Benjamin
Jack and the Beanstalk | Nottingham Playhouse
"This panto was hilarious right from the start, with plenty of local references and audience interaction to make you really feel involved. The cast successfully deliver a great, Christmassy night at the theatre."
Katie
Let us know your favourite Christmas shows of 2024 and check out the rest of our categories of AIT's Twelve Days of Christmas in the blog section..
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