York.

ROBIN HOOD AND HIS MERRIE MAM!
by Berwick Kaler.

Theatre Royal St Leonard’s To 2 February 2013.
Runs 3hr One interval.

TICKETS: 01904 623568.
www.yorktheatreroyal.co.uk
Review: Timothy Ramsden 22 December.

Half-a-lifetime on, Berwick’s still got it bang-to-rights.

Dublin
TROMLUI PINOCCHIO: A NIGHTMARE by Moonfish Theatre.

Smock Alley Theatre, 7 Lower Exchange Street, County Dublin.To 22 December.
7.30 pm. Runs 90 mins, 15 min interval. Matinees 14th, 19th, 20th, 21st at 12 pm; 15th, 16th and 22nd at 2.30 pm.
Tickets: 00 3531 677 0014 www.smockalley.com

Review: Michael Paye 18 December 2012.

Striking in places, but eeriness often gives way to familiar school lessons

Scarborough.

THE IMPORTANCE OF BEING EARNEST
by Oscar Wilde.

Stephen Joseph Theatre To 5 January 2013.
Mon-Sat 7.30pm no performance 24, 25 Dec Mat Thu & 28 Dec 1.30pm, Sat 2.30pm.
Audio-described 5 Jan 2.30pm.
Captioned 3 Jan 7.30pm.
Runs 2hr 35min One interval.

TICKETS: 01723 370541.
www.sjt.uk.com
Review: Timothy Ramsden 22 December.

Happy Earnest comedy.

Manchester.

DREAMING UNDER A DIFFERENT MOON
by Janine Waters music & lyrics by Simon Waters.

The Edge Theatre & Arts Centre Manchester Road Chorlton Manchester M21 9JG To 22 December 2012.
Runs 2hr 15min One interval.
Review: Timothy Ramsden 21 December.

Nothing run of the mill about place or play in a happy theatrical venture

London

SWEET SMELL OF SUCCESS
book by John Guare lyrics by Craig Carnelia music by Marvin Hamlisch.

Arcola Theatre 24 Ashwin Street E8 3DL To 22 December 2012.
Mon-Sat 7.30pm Mat Sat 2.30pm.
Runs 2hr 20min One interval.

TICKETS: 020 7503 1646.
www.arcolatheatre.com
Review: Timothy Ramsden 26 November.

Worth giving the time of night to.

London.

THE NUTCRACKER
music by Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky.

London Coliseum St. Martin's Lane WC2N 4ES in rep to 5 January 2013.
Runs 2hr 10min One interval.

TICKETS: 0871 911 0200.
www.eno.org
Review: Carole Woddis 20 December.

Musical, scenic – and choreographic – splendour.

Manchester.

THE TEAR THIEF
adapted from Carol Ann Duffy music by James Hesford..

Royal Exchange Studio St Ann’s Square M2 7DH To 29 December 2012.
Runs 40min No interval.

TICKETS: 0161 833 9833.
www.royalexchange.co.uk
Review: Timothy Ramsden 21 December.

A production to bring tears of joy.

Huddersfield.

BEAUTY AND THE BEAST
by Mike Kenny music by Julian Butler.

Lawrence Batley Theatre Queen Street HD1 2SP To 30 December 2012.
27-29 Dec 2.15pm & 7pm.
30 Dec 11am & 2.15pm.
Runs 1hr 40min One interval.

TICKETS: 01484 430528.
www.thelbt.org
Review: Timothy Ramsden 23 December.

A performance with a true heroine.

London.

FEATHERS IN THE SNOW
by Philip Ridley.

Southwark Playhouse Shipwright Yard corner of Tooley St and Bermondsey St SE1 2TF To 5 January 2013.
Mon-Sat 7.45pm Mat Sat 3.15pm.
Runs 2hr One interval.

TICKETS: 020 7407 0234.
www.southwarkplayhouse.co.uk
Review: Timothy Ramsden 17 December.

An invigorating voyage through a lot in a little time.

Oxford.

ALADDIN AND THE MAGIC LAMP
by Lizzie Hopley.

The North Wall South Parade OX2 7JN To 5 January 2013.
Runs 2hr 20min One interval.

TICKETS: 01865 766266.
www.creationtheatre.co.uk
Review: Timothy Ramsden 19 December.

Lively musical play with comedy from a company that’s too good for Oxford to lose.

Salford.

ARABIAN NIGHTS
by Dominic Cooke.

The Lowry (Quays Theatre) Pier 8 Salford Quays M50 3AZ To 12 January 2013.
10.15am 9, 10 Jan.
2.15pm 7, 8 Jan.
2.30pm 26-29, 31 Dec-5, 12 Jan.
7pm 26, 27, 29 Dec, 2, 4, 5, 11, 12 Jan.
Audio-described 28 Dec 2.30pm, 8 Jan 2.15pm.
BSL Signed 2 Jan 7pm, 8 Jan 2.15pm.
Runs 2hr 25min One interval.

TICKETS: 0843 208 6010.
www.thelowry.com
Review: Timothy Ramsden 20 December.

An ideal experience, magical and human.

London.

GET ALADDIN!
by Jon Bradfield and Martin Hooper.

Landor Theatre 70 Landor Road SW9 9PH To 13 January 2013.
Tue–Sat 7.30pm except 31 Dec 6pm Sun 6pm Mat Sat 3.30pm, Sun 2pm 31Jan 6pm o performances 17, 24-26 Dec, 1 Jan no evening show 13 Jan.
Runs 2hr 30min One interval.

TICKETS: 0207 7377276.
www.abovethestag.com
www.landortheatre.com
Review: William Russell 15 December.

Hanky, Panky and Twanky

Chipping Norton.

CINDERELLA
book and lyrics by Ben Crocker music by Paul Kissaun.

The Theatre 2 Spring Street OX7 5NL To 6 January 2013.
Runs 2hr 15min One interval.

TICKETS: 01608 642350.
www.chippingnortontheatre.com
Review: Timothy Ramsden 19 December.

A bright, light panto that knows its audience.

Manchester.

RATS’ TALES
by Carol Ann Duffy dramatised by Melly Still.

Royal Exchange St Ann’s Square M2 7DH To 12 December 2013.
2.30pm 9 Jan.
3.30pm 26-31 Dec, 2, 5, 12 Jan.
7.30pm 26-31 Jan, 2-5, 7-12 Jan.
Audio-described 5 Jan 3.30pm.
BSL Signed 8 Jan.
Captioned 3 Jan.
Runs 2hr 30min No interval.

TICKETS: 0161 833 9833.
www.royalexchange.co.uk
Review: Timothy Ramsden 21 December.

Antidote to pantomimes celebrates fearless storytelling.

Bolton.

PETER PAN
adapted from J M Barrie by Anna Clarkson, Julia Hogan, Chris Hoyle, Terry Hughes, Mark Murphy, Eve Steele, Jill Stephenson, Jennifer Tuckett.

Octagon Theatre Howell Croft South BL1 1SB To 12 January 2013.
Runs 2hr One interval.

TICKETS: 01204 520661.
www.octagonbolton.co.uk
Review: Timothy Ramsden 21 December.

A brief, and possibly innovative, interchange with Neverland.

London.

PRIVATES ON PARADE
by Peter Nichols.

Noel Coward Theatre St Martin’s Lane WC2N 4AU To 2 Marc h 2013.
Audio-described 9 February 2.30pm (+Touch Tour 1.30pm).
Captioned 23 February 2.30pm.
Runs 2hr 30min One interval.

TICKETS: 0844 482 5141.
NB £10 tickets available daily from 10.30a.m. purchased in person from the Box Office, max 2 tickets per person. Also £10 standing tickets available each day when sold out.
www.delfontmackintosh.co.uk
Review: Carole Woddis 11 December.

Much to savour, if ever so slightly dated.

Chesterfield

THE NIGHT BEFORE CHRISTMAS: John Hester.
Chesterfield Studios: www.thenightbeforechristmastheshow.com
Runs: 1h 00m: no interval.
Review: Alan Geary: 20th December 2012.

Ideal fare for the 3-8 year-old, plus of course parents/grandparents.

ROBINSON CRUSOE AND THE CARIBBEAN PIRATES: Michael Harrison and Brian Conley
Birmingham Hippodrome
www.birminghamhippodrome.com/
Runs: 2h 30m, one interval, till 27 January 2013

Review: Alexander Ray Edser, 20 12 2012

Marvellous fun. Lots and lots of laughs.

London.

ALADDIN: A WISH COME TRUE

O2 Theatre Peninsula Square SE10 0DX To 5 Jan 2013.
Runs 2 hr 40min One interval .

TICKETS: 0844 856 0202 .
http://www.theo2.co.uk/
Review: Francis Grin 12 December.

Spectacle and non-stop entertainment, starring Lily Savage.

London.

CINDERELLA: A FAIRYTALE
based on Grimms’ Fairy Tale.

St James Theatre 12 Palace Road SW1E 5JA To 26 January 2013.

Runs 2hr 15min One interval.

TICKETS: 0844 264 2140.
www.stjamestheatre.co.uk
Review: Timothy Ramsden 18 December.

Cinderella has a Ball – as do the audience with this mix of the serious and anarchic.