Panto season is in full swing with a raft of companies taking on stories old and new over the coming weeks. So whatever kind of pantomime you're looking for, Daily Info has you covered in our guide to what to watch this winter.
A classic tale re-told
A number of local theatre companies are dusting off the more seasoned fairy tales for a retelling. Kennington Amateur Dramatic Society (who celebrated their 40th anniversary last year) shall go to the ball as they take on Cinderella, Faringdon Dramatic Society are visiting a whole new world with Aladdin, and the Florence Park Players are performing the panto with an exceptional number of criminals, Ali Baba and the Forty Thieves. Potentially inspired by the continual success of Frozen, the Launton Village Players are putting on The Snow Queen based on Hans Christian Anderson’s classic tale, whilst the Sinodun Players are up to their 72nd(!) annual pantomime, which this year is a panto mash-up: Robin Hood & Babes in the Wood.
Something a little different
Then there are those groups who have decided to take on something a little different. North Oxford Youth Theatre present Monty Python’s Arthurian comedy musical Spamalot, which isn’t quite pantomime but does promise a rollicking time at the theatre. Witney Dramatic Society follow the yellow brick road with their panto take on The Wizard of Oz, whilst Hanney Drama Group go to the Wild West with The Good, The Bad and the Ugly Sisters. Then there is the delicious prospect of Dracula: The Pantomime (performing at both Didcot Civic Hall and Harwell Village Hall), which promises to mix horror, suspense and tongue-in-cheek humour. What’s not to love?
A queer drag panto for all
And then there’s the Oxfordshire Drag Collective, who mark their second anniversary with the quite terrific prospect of a queer drag panto. Away with the Fairies promises a fabulous night at the theatre, a gender-bending queer mashup of Jack and the Beanstalk and A Midsummer Night’s Dream, all against a soundtrack that mixes parody songs and camp classics. It promises to be one of the highlights of the year - not to be missed!