With panto season almost upon us, we take a look at each of the city’s festive shows this month in our Portsmouth Theatre Highlights. And there are a couple of other interesting performances on this month too!
Rise and Fall 1 – 3 December, Southsea Cinema & Arts Centre
This event brings us the premiere of two very different plays by two well-known local writers. Peter McCrohon’s ‘Two Ton Tony’ is the colourful story of larger-than-life character Tony Galento, a boxer who also fought an octopus, acted on stage with Marlon Brando and ran a notorious New Jersey bar, among other things! Roger Goldsmith’s ‘Falling’ is about two people Ben and Ella, who chance to meet when the bottom has fallen out of both their worlds. As they try to put their lives back together, will they perhaps also find a connection? All tickets are just £10.
Hook 1 – 31 December, King’s Theatre Southsea
King’s Theatre is first out of the blocks for panto season with this Peter Pan-themed show. After putting on pantomimes for 100+ years, you can trust Kings to put on a good show! The team tells me this one is a great all-rounder for everyone – with dazzling special effects, fantastic music and stunning scenery. You may recognise some familiar faces among the cast too – Captain Hook is played by Shaun Williamson aka Barry in Eastenders, while TOWIE’s James “Arg” Argent plays Peter Pan. £10 tickets are available for every performance too, if you don’t mind sitting at the back.
Puss in Boots 7 – 31 December, Groundlings Theatre Portsmouth
Groundlings reckons that it’s panto is the most affordable in town. When you consider all tickets are a flat price of £15 (so you won’t pay a premium to sit up front) and their special offer for families (four tickets for £50, I reckon they have a point. Puss in Boots tells the tale of the residents of Bumpy Village, who are in turmoil thanks to a fiendish mayor and a bunch of other crazy characters! It promises a show packed full of comedy, magic and adventure – so get ready to shout for the goodies, boo the baddies and sing along at this intimate and historic venue.
Aladdin 8 – 31 December, New Theatre Royal Portsmouth
Lou loved the panto at the Royal last year, so she decided to take a closer look at this year’s in her recent blog. Head there to learn more – but in summary Aladdin will be a magical production of enchantment, romance and comedy. We’re promised live music, stunning sets, slick choreography and sensational costumes. Audiences can also expect all the traditional Christmas fun, along with a line-up of professional actors from stage and screen.
Drinking Companion & Her Big Chance 13 December, Square Tower Old Portsmouth
Local theatre legends CCADS bring us this comedy double bill which played to great acclaim at Petersfield Fringe Festival earlier this year. Expect two hilarious and touching plays from two of the UK’s best-known modern playwrights, all set in the characterful venue of Old Portsmouth’s Square Tower for one night only at 8pm. All tickets £10, with limited availability remaining at time of writing. To book, email mariapegden@gmail.com
Rapunzel 19 – 27 December, The Lens Studio Portsmouth
Rapunzel is a lonely princess, trapped in a tower by her mean mother and longing for a life of adventure in the outside world. This show follows her brave attempts at escape, with plenty of magic and mayhem along the way! It promises an immersive and interactive experience, plenty for children and adults to join in with, and a huge LED screen providing an incredible visual experience.
