Now that Halloween has been and gone for another year, it feels totally acceptable to start talking about the festive season and everything we have to look forward to until the big day. I recently got back from Italy and cities were putting up Christmas lights in preparation for the most wonderful time of the year, which in my mind highlights how close December is. Before we know it, festive tunes will be playing in the shops and mulled wine will be back on menus, alongside the return of seasonal theatre!
Late November and December always brings the excitement of pantomimes and seasonal shows, and fortunately in 2024, lots of them are opening in my local area of Kent! Are you looking for some Christmassy theatre to watch with friends and family before the end of the year? Stay tuned, I have done the research so you don’t have to! Here are some festive theatre shows in Kent in 2024.
Beauty and the Beast
The Marlowe Theatre, Canterbury
If you are familiar with Kent pantomimes, the multi-award winning Marlowe Panto begins performances in just over 2 weeks. ‘Beauty and the Beast’ will star Eastenders and Strictly Come Dancing’s Maisie Smith, alongside the legendary Ben Roddy who is back for his 16th year as the Dame, Marlowe Panto favourite Phil Gallagher (CBeebies Mister Maker) and more exciting names. ‘Beauty and the Beast’ is once again a collaboration between the theatre and Evolution Pantomimes, and it will be wonderful to find out what the creative team have in store. It is sure to feature the local jibes and jokes that we all know and love, as well as some fun surprises! Check out my 5-star review of last year’s Aladdin here.
Performances run from Friday 22nd November 2024 ‐ Sunday 12th January 2025. Tickets can be purchased via the Marlowe Theatre’s website.
My Pet Star
The Marlowe Theatre, Canterbury
In the studio venue the theatre is producing a new musical ‘My Pet Star’, which is based on Corrinne Averiss and Rosalind Beardshaw’s children’s book. Described as a “brand-new family musical about kindness, friendship and caring for others”, ‘My Pet Star’ features original music by Zara Nunn and is appropriate for 3+ years, making it a festive theatre option for younger audiences. If last year’s in-house production ‘The Littlest Yak’ is anything to go by, families are in for such a treat with ‘My Pet Star’!
Performances run from Saturday 7th December 2024 ‐ Saturday 4th January 2025. Tickets can be purchased via the Marlowe Theatre’s website.
The Snowsmith
The Gulbenkian Theatre, Canterbury
Theatre company Half a String are bringing ‘The Snowsmith’ to the Gulbenkian Theatre in Canterbury this December. A children’s show featuring “breathtaking puppetry, live songs and folk music”, the story follows inventor Eira on her quest to bring snow back to the fictional town of Thawmor. I first heard about the company when they announced that they were taking ‘Breathe’ to the Edinburgh Fringe and was thrilled to hear that they would be bringing a Christmassy show to Kent this year.
Performances run from Saturday 7th ‐ Thursday 19th December 2024. Tickets can be purchased via the Gulbenkian’s website.
Secret Santa
The Garlinge Theatre, Chartham
The “UK’s first vegan theatre” will host a children’s show ‘Secret Santa’ in the lead up to Christmas. Described as a “spellbinding, seasonal story of friendship, childhood wonder and reindeer pigs”, audiences can enjoy Ollie Birch’s work at the rural Garlinge venue, just a short drive from Canterbury. The theatre’s environment-focused ethos makes it a really unique theatrical space, only serving vegan products onsite.
Performances run on Saturday 14th, Friday 20th, Saturday 21st and Sunday 22nd December 2024. Tickets can be purchased via the Garlinge Theatre’s TicketSource.
Sleeping Beauty
The Sinden Theatre, Tenterden
In Tenterden, SparkLive Pantomimes are bringing ‘Sleeping Beauty’ to the stage at the Sinden Theatre. Known locally as the Tenterden Panto, 2024 will see Princess Aurora, Muddles, Dame Victoria Sponge, Fairy Sparkle and more, entertain audiences for the final few weeks of December. If the poster is anything to go by, it looks like it’s going to be a magical evening of theatre for all the family!
Performances run on various dates from Thursday 12th – Tuesday 31st December 2024. Tickets can be purchased via the Sinden Theatre’s TicketSource.
The Christmas Goblin
ARK – Cliftonville Cultural Space, Margate
Originally commissioned by the Marlowe, Brigitte Aphrodite and Lucy Thackeray’s ‘The Christmas Goblin’ opens at Margate’s ARK Cliftonville Cultural Space in mid December. Described as a ‘musical adventure for all the family’, the show features original music from Quiet Boy and follows 11-year old Daphne as she grapples with the idea of what a goblin is. Combining Greek mythology and the local area of Margate, this sounds like a really exciting Kent-themed show for young children and families (recommended for 5+ years).
Performances run on various dates from Wednesday 11th – Saturday 21st December 2024. Tickets can be purchased via the ARK Cliftonville website.
The Wonderful Wizard of Oz
Leas Cliff Hall, Folkestone
2024 might as well be summarised as the year of Oz, with the Wicked film just weeks away from opening. On a similar theme, ‘The Wonderful Wizard of Oz’ pantomime opens at Leas Cliff Hall in Folkestone over the Christmas period. Produced by the venue and Second Star Productions, this is an opportunity for audiences to see a much-adored story with a panto twist.
Performances run on various dates from Friday 13th – Tuesday 31st December 2024. Tickets can be purchased via the ATG website.
Rhythm of the Dance Christmas Special
Leas Cliff Hall, Folkestone
A festive dance offering is the ‘Rhythm of the Dance Christmas Special’: a seasonal Irish Dance show which is also heading to the Folkestone venue. You can catch the show on stage this November in its 25th anniversary year, but this time with a festive spin. If you like dance productions, I recommend watching a classic Irish Dance show at least once, even if only to get an idea of the sheer amount of skill and stamina required for the genre.
There is a one night only performance in Kent on Friday 15th November 2024. Tickets can be purchased via the ATG website.
Carlos Acosta’s Nutcracker in Havana
The Marlowe Theatre, Canterbury
Carlos Acosta’s ‘Nutcracker in Havana’ is at the Marlowe for two nights this November. The new Cuban take on the Tchaikovsky classic is touring theatres until January, with a mid-December run at the Southbank Centre Queen Elizabeth Hall. Dance enthusiasts will be familiar with the choreographer and his company Acosta Danza, but for 2024 it will be exciting to see how they bring some Caribbean spirit to the well known seasonal story.
Performances are on Friday 8th and Saturday 9th November 2024. Tickets can be purchased via the Marlowe Theatre’s website.
Watching festive theatre in Kent
I hope this list has given you plenty of ideas of what to watch in the county this November and December. I’ll keep adding to this as I hear about more seasonal shows, but it is lovely to see so much festive theatre in Kent in 2024. The local arts scene is truly wonderful!
Thanks for reading my blog today.
Love Kat xxxx
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