There is a particular sound that fills North East theatres each December: several hundred children shouting at the stage in unison. Pantomime is the one form of theatre where talking back is part of the deal, and the region does it well. The 2026 season will follow its usual pattern, with venues across Newcastle, Sunderland, Durham, South Shields, Darlington and Whitley Bay putting shows on sale long before the first curtain rises. Exact productions, dates and ticket prices are set by each theatre, so treat this as a planning guide and confirm the details with the box office before you book.
Why pantomime still fills theatres
Pantomime is a Christmas tradition with deep roots, and its popularity is not really in doubt. One script company alone licences more than two hundred panto productions a year around the world, which gives some sense of how many stages run a festive show. The format travels well because it does not ask much of an audience. You do not need to know the story, you do not need to have been to the theatre before, and you certainly do not need to sit quietly.
That accessibility is why so many families in the North East make a panto trip part of their December routine. Producers describe the ideal show as spectacular, dazzling and family friendly, built on a magical fairytale, laugh-out-loud comedy, toe-tapping songs and plenty of festive sparkle. In practice, that combination is what keeps a theatre full from the first week of December through to early January.
What makes a panto a panto
Most pantomimes share a set of ingredients, and knowing them helps when you are comparing one show against another in the listings.
| Ingredient | What you will notice in the auditorium |
|---|---|
| A familiar story | A magical fairytale or folk tale that most of the audience already half knows |
| Comedy | Laugh-out-loud gags aimed at children and adults at the same time |
| Songs | Toe-tapping numbers that the cast clearly enjoy performing |
| Audience participation | Call-and-response, including the famous shout of “it’s behind you” |
| Festive sparkle | Colour, costumes and a set designed to feel like a treat |
The history of how pantomime travelled from Italian popular theatre into a British Christmas tradition is part of what gives the form its odd, likeable character. It borrows from several theatrical customs and blends them into something that works on a cold December afternoon in front of a mixed-age audience.
What are the pantomimes this season
A handful of titles dominate every season. Among the scripts most widely licensed by one UK supplier are Cinderella, Aladdin, Jack and the Beanstalk, Dick Whittington, Beauty and the Beast, Peter Pan, Goldilocks, Mother Goose, Robin Hood, Robinson Crusoe, Babes in the Wood, Puss in Boots, Hansel and Gretel, Pinocchio and Alice in Wonderland. The same catalogue runs to dozens of further options, from Rumpelstiltskin to Sinbad and Sherlock Holmes.
For audiences, that variety matters. It means a family can pick a story a younger child already loves, or deliberately choose something nobody has seen before. If you have been to the same title three years running, the listings will usually offer an alternative within a reasonable drive.
Panto across the North East
The region has no shortage of options, and the right choice usually comes down to travel time, budget and the age of the youngest person in your party. Here is how to think about each area.
Newcastle
Newcastle has the largest concentration of theatres in the region, with Newcastle Theatre Royal and the Tyne Theatre & Opera House both staging touring work through the year. A city centre show is easy to pair with a meal or a train home, which makes it a popular choice for groups. Confirm the production, dates, running time and age guidance on the venue’s own website before booking.
This year sees regulars from both the main theatres. Danny and Clive return with Joe McElderry as they reach for the skies in Jack and the Beanstalk at the Theatre Royal. Musical theatre stars Rachel Stanley and Oonagh Cox provide the glamour.
The Tyne Theatre and Opera House once again partners with Enchanted Entertainment to bring you Aladdin with Charlie Richmond and Lewis Denny returning and a star studded cast including Eastenders and musical theatre star Michael Greco as Abanazar and Marcus Collins returns to the north east to play The Genie of the Lamp.
Sunderland
Sunderland families have a strong local option without crossing the river into Newcastle with The Further Adventures of Captain Hook. Tickets for weekend and pre-Christmas performances tend to move first, so it pays to check the listings early rather than waiting until December.
This year Miss Rory and Tom Whalley are back, this time as the villainous Captain Hook and his trusty sick kick Mr Smee respectively. Donning the tights is Heartstopper star Bradley Riches in a swashbuckling tale of Neverland – the next adventure.
Durham
Durham’s shows attract audiences from across the county, including people who would rather not drive into the middle of Newcastle. Parking, buses and trains all need a little thought in December, and a matinee is usually the calmer choice with small children. Check the specific venue’s own booking page for the confirmed production and any access notes.
The Gala Theatre’s pantomime this year is Rapunzel. Chock full with laughs, music and local talent. Adam Donaldson takes on the role of The Duck of Durham with Phoebe Keith in the title role.
South Shields
South Shields sits within easy reach of both Sunderland and Newcastle, so families here often have a genuine choice between a local show and a bigger city production. Comparing the two is simpler than it sounds: look at running time, ticket availability for the dates you can manage, and how far you need to travel afterwards. Book directly with the venue you choose.
The Customs House resident dafty Glen Richard Townsend leads the laughs in South Shields pantomime offer of Sleeping Beauty with Ray Spencer MBE donning the frock as Dame Bella.
Darlington
Darlington Hippodrome stages touring productions across the year and is the obvious starting point for panto in the south of the region. Audiences travel in from nearby towns, so an evening show needs a sensible plan for the journey home. Crossroads Live bring festive fun to Darlington with the tale as old as time Beauty and the Beast at Darlington Hippodrome with Josh Benson and Jamie Jones once more leading the cast. Matt Baker stars as Belle’s brother Jack.
Whitley Bay
Whitley Bay gives coastal families a straightforward option without a long trip into the city. A matinee works well if you want to combine the theatre with a walk and something to eat afterwards.
After years of playing the dame, Pasty really gets to snarl as the Wicked Queen in Snow White and the Seven Dwarves at Whitley Bay Playhouse. The fairest in the land is played by Liberty X’s Michelle Heaton.
How to book panto tickets without stress
A little forward planning makes the whole trip easier, particularly if you are organising for a group.
- Book as early as you can for weekends and the days just before Christmas, which fill fastest.
- Check the running time and interval so younger children know what to expect.
- Ask the box office about age guidance and any relaxed or signed performances.
- Confirm prices, booking fees and concessions directly with the venue.
- Plan travel and parking in advance, especially for evening performances in town centres.
- Join the mailing list of the theatre you prefer, as offers and priority booking are often announced there first.
Panto beyond the Christmas season
Pantomime is not confined to December. Big Panto Guide, which lists pantomimes and Christmas shows across the UK for 2026 and 2027, also covers Easter, February half term, Halloween and summer shows. That means families who miss the festive run, or who simply want a second helping, have other seasonal offerings in the year.
When does panto season run in 2026?
Most North East pantomimes open in early December and run through Christmas into the first days of January, though each theatre sets its own dates. Some venues extend the run if demand is high. Always check the official listing for the production you want, because start and finish dates differ from one venue to the next.
Do I need to book panto tickets early?
It helps. Weekend performances and the days immediately before Christmas are usually the first to sell out, especially for well-known titles such as Cinderella or Jack and the Beanstalk. Midweek matinees are often easier to book and calmer for small children. Booking directly with the venue also means you see the correct prices and any concessions.
Is pantomime suitable for very young children?
Pantomime is built for family audiences, with bright staging, songs and plenty of audience participation. That said, a full-length show can be long for a toddler. Ask the box office about running time, interval timing and any age guidance before booking, and consider a matinee so the journey home does not run too late.
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