Article
🗞️ Decembers Best Shows to See
Stan Graham
Well, here we are, the end of another year, and December can only mean one thing, yes, it’s the end of the NFL regular season. Roll on January for the play-offs.
Meanwhile, at the City Varieties, the month is dominated by Robin Hood: The Rock’n’Roll Pantomime. I gave you a taster of this last month as it began its run on 24th November, and I will probably give it a plug next month as it continues until 7th January. When I was a kid, pantomimes used to begin on Christmas Eve and go on until Easter, I would be busting for a wee by mid-February! According to the website, this modern version features a warning of ‘loud music, smoke effects, flashing lights and possibly a few squirts too..’ Now that’s no way to talk about the cast! Full details can be found at HERE. What are the odds of them singing Rockin’ Robin!
Things start a little more sedately at The Grand Theatre with The Nutcracker from Northern Ballet. This began on 29th November so was given a mention last month, and continues until 10th December. It is the perennial Christmas classic and a great way to begin the Festive Season. There is also an Over 55s Workshop which goes on until 14th March. Another bladder test.
Things get a bit more up-tempo on 12th December when I Should Be So Lucky: The Official Stock, Aitken & Waterman Musical receives its World Premier. The show is about Ella and Nathan who are getting pre-wedding jitters. Will things go well, or end in disaster. Come on – it’s Christmas and the soundtrack is the Hit Factory’s back catalogue so I will have a 10p double on Rockin’ Robin and a happy ending. The show goes on until 30th December.
For full details of the above events please go to: https://leedsheritagetheatres.com/whats-on/
I Should Be So Lucky: The Official Stock, Aitken & Waterman Musical
Robin Hood: The Rock’n’Roll Pantomime
The Nutcracker
At Leeds Playhouse there is Oliver!, the Lionel Bart musical based on Oliver Twist, which began on 24th November and goes all the way through to 27th January, and no, I won’t do the same joke yet again.
For young theatre-goers there is another first, The Enormous Crocodile: The Musical, based on a story by Roald Dahl. The age guidance is 4+ and the performance times are between 10.30am and 4.00pm, so home before bedtime. The dates are 2nd December to 6th January. As it is for children it is too scary for me. Will the crocodile find a child to eat? I think I will increase my double to a treble.
To complete the December productions we have Santa Must Die! – very festive. It is a raucous gig theatre show, and, therefore, a standing event, although seating is available by request. It concerns Nadia and Abed who have started a band and are booked to play a gig at their local but it is Christmas Eve and their boss, Santa, is being a pain. That’s bearded old fat men for you! The dates are 12th to 16th December.
For all Leeds Playhouse show details it is https://leedsplayhouse.org.uk/whats-on/
Oliver!
The Enormous Crocodile: The Musical
Santa Must Die!
Finally, to The Carriageworks, where we have a more traditional pantomime in Snow White, running from 24th November until 7th January. There is the promise of breath-taking scenery and special effects, sparkling costumes, spectacular song and dance, fun, laughter and audience participation. There are multiple dates with two performances, which have starting times ranging from 10.00am to 6.30pm, prices vary depending on the day and time. So, hi-ho, hi-ho it’s off to Millennium Square we go!
Friday, 8th December to Sunday, 10th December sees performances of A Christmas Carol, but, what the Dickens, it has already sold out. You could always see if there are any returns, just ask the Ghost of Christmas Future.
For the real young ‘uns between 2 and 7 years-old, there is Sorry, Christmas is Cancelled….Katie Saves The Day! This seems to be a whodunnit as thieves have nicked – or should that be Saint Nicked – all the presents from Santa’s grotto at the North Pole. I think that even the 2 year-olds will work out from the title that all ends well. The story is told with hand-crafted puppets, original songs and yet more stunning scenery. Times vary between 11.00am and 4.30pm. The 1.00pm show on Wednesday, 20th December is a ‘relaxed performance’ which probably translates as bedlam. The last adult event I went to of that type was bad enough but these 2-7 punters are professionals.
To see more details and for booking please go to https://www.carriageworkstheatre.co.uk/whats-on/
It only remains for me to wish you a very Merry Christmas and will someone kindly pass the humbugs.
Snow White
A Christmas Carol
Sorry, Christmas is Cancelled….Katie Saves The Day!