Family Fun

Panto Perfection in NE1

ONCE UPON A TIME IN THE TOON... TIME TO GATHER THE GANG AND GET YOUR THEATRE FIX THIS WINTER WITH NE1’S MUST-SEE SHOWS. SIT BACK, RELAX AND TAKE A LOOK AT SOME OF THE TOP FAMILY PANTOS YOU NEED TO CHECK OUT THIS CHRISTMAS!

DISNEY ON ICE: FIND YOUR HERO UNTIL 12 DECEMBER

Count this as your final reminder to catch this major event before it packs up for another year! Get your skates on and catch Disney On Ice as Mickey, Minnie, Donald Duck, Goofy and a whole host of magical stars take to the ice to celebrate 100 years of magic! Featuring eye-catching costumes, stunning set designs, high-flying jumps and breathtaking moments, Disney On Ice is shaping up to be a priceless experience for the whole family to treasure this December. Nab those final tickets now! utilitaarena.co.uk

THE SORCERER’S APPRENTICE THROUGHOUT WINTER

Get your wizard's hats on, grab your magical marching mops and head on down to Northern Stage for a truly enchanting new production of The Sorcerer’s Apprentice! Follow the inspirational tale of Harriet Rabbit, a normal girl whose life gets turned upside down after a job offer appears on her doorstep one cold winter’s night. Next thing you know, she’s casting spells and embarking on a triumphant quest to become the Sorcerer’s Apprentice! Get your tickets for a night of mesmerising theatre magic now! northernstage.co.uk

We caught up with panto star, X Factor winner and the fairest of them all, Joe McElderry, ahead of his jam-packed run of Christmas shows at the Theatre Royal!

SNOW WHITE AND THE SEVEN DWARFS THROUGHOUT WINTER

Mirror, mirror on the wall, the Toon’s panto season beats them all! Snow White and her Seven Dwarfs have arrived in Toon, and they're taking to the Theatre Royal stage for a season of mishaps, mischief and mayhem! A cracking Chrimbo celebration, settle in as this epic family thrill ride takes us to a far away kingdom, join Danny Adams, Clive Webb, Chris Hayward and X Factor star Joe McElderry in a lavish festive production that’s packed to the rafters with sensational songs, superb dance routines and hilarious panto pranks from start to finish. Guaranteed to fill your heart full of festive cheer! theatreroyal.co.uk

SLEEPING BEAUTY UNTIL 3 JANUARY

Tyne Theatre & Opera House have announced that Sleeping Beauty will be dazzling audiences all Christmas long, as Matt Pagan, hilarious Geordie comic Charlie Richmond and Lewis Denny take to the stage in a hilarious production of everyone’s favourite Disney flick! Featuring an epic live band and amazing 3D glasses for audience members, Sleeping Beauty has been raking in rave reviews since launching in November! Take your true love over to this beautiful theatre as Sleeping Beauty floats into the Toon for a winter season packed with sensational songs, dazzling dance routines and fabulous costumes! It’s a tremendous treat for all the family that you won’t want to miss! tynetheatreandoperahouse.uk

THE SNOWMAN 22 DECEMBER - 24 DECEMBER

He’s nearly here! After weeks of whittling down those Christmas lists and sippin’ on way too many festive hot chocs, The Snowman at Sage means only one thing - the big man is booting up and Christmas is just around the corner! Gather the family and take flight with The Snowman as this heart-warming festive flick comes to life with live music from the Royal Northern Sinfonia. During a starry night, the snowman and snow-dog come to life and embark on a spellbinding adventure into the night sky. Accompanied by the Royal Northern Sinfonia, watch on as this group of incredible musicians bring the film's magical score to life live on Tyneside. Guaranteed to have you walking in the air all the way home! sagegateshead.com

After such a long time away from the stage, how good does it feel to be back in front of live audiences? It’s been so wonderful to be back out on the road on my solo tour and then heading straight home to the Toon to start the panto!

Any fond Theatre Royal memories? I have been coming to the Theatre Royal since I was a child! I have tons of memories here. I've been lucky enough to perform my own concerts here in recent years, so to be a part of such an iconic festive tradition in Newcastle means a great deal to me.

Tell us a little bit about your character... I play The Man in the Mirror! It’s a bit of a twist from the traditional character, in the sense that I’m here to save the day and try and stop the evil Queen Dragonella! and the Seven Dwarfs at Newcastle Theatre Royal? I think people will love this show! Rehearsals were a hoot which is always a great sign of a a brilliant show coming together! We have so much variety lined up!

Favourite Geordie? I am absolutely loving Sam Fender at the moment! It’s great to see him doing so well with his new album and I love the fact that he’s always celebrating Newcastle wherever he goes.

Your best/funniest Tyneside moment? I think my best moments are always coming home to play gigs in front of my own people! There's so much warmth and it feels so special!

Any Newcastle plans while you’re in Toon? I'm looking forward to being back in the North East for Christmas. There’s nothing quite like Christmas in Newcastle!