Christmas is the most magical time of the year and making memories with family and friends is the best Christmas present you could ask for. Pantomimes have been a tradition with families for years, especially during the Christmas and New Year season. Modern pantomime includes songs, gags, slapstick comedy and dancing which of course gives everyone the feel good factor. There are Pantomimes running throughout the country, both amateur and professional with price ranges to suit everyone. We have compiled a list of our top picks and have been invited to attend some performances so eyes peeled for our reviews.
CLARE
Jack And The Beanstalk, Glór Ennis
22nd December – 1st January
Jack lives in a lovely little cottage, with his mother and his sister, Sara. They are very poor and are way behind on their rent. The Wicked Squire is about to evict them if they can’t pay their rent. Jack’s mother sends him to the local market to sell their only possession – their beloved cow Dave. On the way to the market Jack meets two Strangers and they convince him to exchange Dave for a bag of magic beans!!!
Join Pantaloons and find out how the story ends in another spectacular pantomime, packed with smash-hit songs, stunning sets, fabulous dance routines, lots of laughs and plenty of seasonal sparkle.
CORK
Jack And The Beanstalk, The Cork Opera House Panto
29th November – 21st January
Full of fe-fi-fo-FUN, join Jack, Nanny Nellie and a host of lovable companions in a spectacular show packed with amazing colour, spellbinding costumes, music, breath-taking dance, and a tonne of belly laughs! The same Panto ‘dream team‘ who brought you the magnificent and magical Sleeping Beauty in 2022 return to cast their magic over the Cork Opera House stage once again from December 2023, all the way through to January 21, 2024!
Jack and the Beanstalk promises to be our most joyous Panto experience yet – oh yes it does! So don’t miss out, tickets for the Cork Opera House Panto always fly out the door! Don’t delay and book seats to your favourite Panto now!
Beauty And The Beast, The Everyman Panto
2nd December – 14th January
In a little town (somewhere in Cork, like!), the beautiful Belle dreams of so much more than her simple life. When she discovers a castle (think Blarney or Blackrock) frozen in time under the spell of an enchanted rose and ruled over by a terrible Beast who was once a handsome prince, she must learn to look beyond his appearance if love is to save the day.
With talking teapots, singing candlesticks and clever clocks, this classic tale will delight a whole new generation. Featuring the usual zany gang bringing you non-stop Panto fun, it is directed by the zaniest of them all, Catherine Mahon Buckley.
DUBLIN
Treasure Island, The Helix Panto
24th November – 14th January
Produced as always by TheatreworX Productions, this year’s show ‘Treasure Island’ promises to be as fun, fresh and magical as ever. Creating an exciting new script with plenty of twists, turns and adventure, our panto promises yet another hilarious production for all the family to enjoy.
Join the cast as they journey through the magical pantosphere of intrigue and adventure!
Theatreworx with it’s fresh and exciting approach to Panto ensures that young and not so young will be captivated by a tale less told and will certainly laugh their troubles away at this years Helix Panto, ‘Treasure Island’ .
Beauty And The Beast, The Lark Panto Balbriggan
5th December – 30th December
This December, the Irish Institute of Music & Song (IIMS) and Sean Gilligan Performing Arts are launching their professional live pantomime Beauty & The Beast with All-Star-Cast Jake Carter (Dancing with the Stars 2018 winner) as The Beast, Katie Weir (Ireland’s rising star of the west-end) as Belle and Pamela Uba, Miss Ireland Winner 2021 (appearing on the big screen as The Enchantress). This Panto will be like no other in Ireland with a fully immersive experience for audiences the moment they step inside the lobby of the Concert Hall. The IIMS is expecting this to be the most talked about pantomime in Dublin this year alone before becoming one of the most popular pantomimes in the country.
Olly, Polly & The Magic Lamp, The 3Olympia Panto
20th December – 7th January
Following last year’s colossal success and five-star reviews, this year’s Panto promises even more laughter, mayhem, and magic than ever before. We’ve got an all-star cast that will sweep you off your feet.
Step onto our Magic Carpet and join the fun with the dynamic duo, Olly (played by the irrepressible RYAN ANDREWS), and Polly (the uproarious MACLEAN BURKE). They’ll be joined on stage by the effervescent JAMES PATRICE as The Genie, the villainous ROB VICKERS as “Abanazar,” and the mesmerizing ZOE TALBOT from Riverdance as Jasmine. And let’s not forget the hilarious banter duo ERIN MCGREGOR & MICHAELA O’NEILL, who’ll have you in stitches throughout this spectacular production.
Our comedic twist on the classic “Aladdin” is scripted by the brilliantly funny duo AL PORTER and RYAN ANDREWS, back for their sixth year running. Their laugh-a-minute shows have been entertaining families of all ages for the past five years, and this year promises to be no different.
Cinderella, The Gaiety Panto
26th November – 21st January
The Gaiety Theatre has announced Cinderella, the most loved fairytale of them all, as this year’s Gaiety Pantomime. Opening next Sunday 26th November 2023 and running until 21st January 2024 with extra performances just added due to phenomenal demand. Tickets for the extra dates are priced from €21.50 (including booking fee and restoration levy) and are on sale now.
Starring legendary Gaiety Panto Dame Joe Conlan as Nanny Scrumptious, Nicholas Grennell as Evil Stepmother, Ciara Lyons as Cinderella, David Crowley as Prince Charming, Donncha O’Dea as King Charming, Stephen O’Leary as Dandini, Michael Joseph as Buttons, Linzi Cowap and Aisling Breen as the Ugly Sisters and Emma Wigglesworth as Fairy Godmother. Directed by Daryn Crosbie.
Bursting at the seams with Panto antics, song and dance, breathtaking costumes and mesmerising magic, this updated rags to riches tale will show us what dreams are really made of…and a dream isn’t just a wish your heart makes. As always, true love finds a way and good conquers evil in this enchanting story, because there’s no room for bullies at the ball.
Sammy, Buffy And The Beanstalk, The National Stadium
12th December – 7th January
Celebrating its 25TH Anniversary THIS YEAR. Join Sammy, Buffy and all the cast for the Biggest, Bestest and
most special panto ever. It’s gonna be BIG!
Rapunzel, The Liberty Panto
18th December – 31st December
Many years ago, the King and Queen of a far off Kingdom were blessed with a baby girl with magical, golden hair. They named her Rapunzel. One day, the jealous, evil witch Mother Gothel kidnapped the child and locked her in a tower; selfishly squandering all her powers for herself. With the help of local hairdresser Dame Fanny Follicle (Dame Nellie Nu Nu), her silly son Pascal and the dashing Prince Rider plus the familiar Liberty Panto Team in action…… will Rapunzel ever escape her tower?
Find out in this ‘hair-larious’ fairytale pantomime!
GALWAY
Puss In Boots, Renmore Pantomime
29th December – 14th January
We are delighted to introduce you to our first production of this wonderful fairy tale about a loveable, smooth-talking rogue with a large thirst for adventure.
When the Wicked Witch Bogzilla is rejected by King Barney, she transforms him into an Ogre and wreaks havoc on his beloved Kingdom. However, all may not be lost. With enough trickery and charm from an amazing talkative cat and the good services of the kind Fairy Cakes, watch the characters undertake their fight for justice to restore harmony to their haven and save their King.
We will befriend characters such as the neighbourly Princess Patience, Dame Kitty Kardashin and her idle son Billy, along with a host of vaguely familiar personalities on their wonderful adventure with Puss and Boots.
LIMERICK
Sleeping Beauty, University Concert Hall Limerick
21st December – 14th January
Sleeping Beauty will see Panto favourites, including Richie Hayes & Myles Breen, along with some fun new faces, come together for a show packed with comedy, music, glitz, glamour and a heroine that thinks nothing of nodding off mid show (we might need to have a word with her!).
Snow White, Millenium Theatre TUS Limerick
27th December – 7th January
From Tales as Old as Time – to the Fairy Godmother of all Pantomimes, Here at the Limerick Panto Society we try to bring a little magic to the stage for people of Limerick and beyond. The classic Fairy Tales; Add a Dame, Classic lines “Behind You“, Elaborate Costuming and a Soaring Score; You’ve a recipe for success.
Aladdin And His Magic Lamp, Lime Tree Theatre
8th December – 7th January
Aladdin and his long-suffering mum, Widow Twanky, have fallen on hard times. At their laundry, the spin drier has stopped working. So has Aladdin. He’s super lazy – which is like normal lazy but wearing a cape.
So when the mysterious Abanazar appears and promises untold wealth if he will just fetch a lamp from a cave, Aladdin jumps at the opportunity. (Well maybe not ‘jumps.’)
And so begins an adventure involving magic lamps, genies, flying carpets and a chance encounter with the Princess Jasmine. How will it all end?
LOUTH
Snow White, The TLT Panto
16th December – 1st January
Mirror Mirror on the Wall, what Panto is coming to the TLT this Christmas? It’s Snow White of course. You are in for a side splitting, magical journey as TLT Productions brings you another adventure to Pantoland!
Jack And The Beanstalk, Dundalk Musical Society Panto
9th – 14th January
FE, FI, FO, FUM, Dundalk Musical Society are back with their annual pantomime and this year it’s Jack and the Beanstalk. Join Jack, Jill, Excira, Delira and lots of other friends in this spectacular panto! Full of singing, dancing and loads of belly laughs. Jack and the Beanstalk promises to be a great show, one not to be missed, get your tickets now before it’s too late!
MEATH
The Little Mermaid, Solstice Arts Centre
7th December – 17th December
The story of The Little Mermaid is coming to Navan for this year’s Panto! Be transported Under the Sea for a night of laughter, magic and music that’s sure to entertain children and adults alike.
Snow White, The Venue Ratoath
30th November – 10th December
Ratoath Musical Society are back this Christmas with the much loved pantomime, Snow White.
The kingdom is in the clutches of the wicked Queen, Snow White’s evil step mother.
Power-hungry and vain, the wicked Queen rules with an iron fist, and has the Magic Mirror trapped under one of her evil spells.
Now she’s looking for a new husband and wants the beautiful Snow White out of the way.
But with the help of Dame Dottie, her best friend Tickles and seven special little friends, can Snow White escape the clutches of the Wicked Queen and find her happy ever after with Prince William?
WATERFORD
Rapunzel, Theatre Royal Waterford
7th December – 30th December
Waterford Panto Society wants you to let your hair down this December for the Tangled tale of Rapunzel – never before seen in Waterford.
Once again, the Theatre Royal will become the happiest place to be in Waterford this December.
All the familiar faces are back in a fun filled action packed show for all the Family.
You’ll get all the usual up to date pop songs, laugh out loud comedy, slick choreography, sets by Waterford Spraoi, spectacular sound and lighting and a full live band.
WESTMEATH
The Little Mermaid, Mullingar Arts Centre
7th December – 30th December
This Christmas come and be a part of our world as we head under the sea for the annual Christmas pantomime, this year Mullingar Pantomime Group presents The Little Mermaid.
Join characters such as Bubbles The Dame, everybodies favorite mermaid Aeriel, Sebastian, Ursula The Sea Witch and many more for an unforgettable Christmas family night out!
WEXFORD
Rapunzel And The League Of Princesses, National Opera House Wexford
17th January – 20th January
Rapunzel and the League of Princesses is the ultimate girl power story that has never been told before. Join our heroes Rapunzel, Cinderella and Snow White as they team up to rescue their Princes and defeat the evil Gothel, whose goal is to destroy all happy ever afters.
This laugh-a-minute adventure is awash with great songs, dances and jokes and features a chorus of 110 local children and an all-star Wexford cast.
