The Stafford Gatehouse has a smash hit on its hands with this years wonderful panto Sleeping Beauty. It is a  sparkling, sentimental traditional panto that has wonderful performances, great one liners (some of them most definitely aimed at the adults in the audience) and an absolutely magical set. Add in one seriously impressive dragon and you have a pantomime that will, in the words of Nat King Cole, entertain kids from 1 – 92! This is such an entertaining panto, and the story is cleverly told from the present, with an almost 18 year old Beauty kept protected in Stafford Castle. We are then transported back in time by Fairy…

This year’s Wolverhampton Grand panto had its press night last night and it is just spectacular! Sleeping Beauty is the best Wolves panto in years, an absolutely amazing mix of exquisite sets and costumes, great songs, hilarious one liners and a top notch cast clearly enjoying every single moment. The dream team of writers Tam Ryan and Ian Adams have delivered something very special this year, a panto to be cherished! The Cast Everything is just perfect with the casting in this production. I love the local feel with both the very handsome Prince Soloman Davy (returning after his triumphant performance as Link in Hairspray) and a scene stealing Zak…

Birmingham’s Old Rep Theatre has another hit on its hands. Following on from last years Christmas show, The Wizard of Oz, director Lorna Laidlow has this year turned to that most traditional of pantos, Cinderella, and turned it into something exciting and new. The ugly sisters are now more Kardashian than Bridgerton, Cinderella wears Converse rather than glass slippers (because, let’s face it, who can dance wearing glass slipprs…), and the accents are decidedly Birmingham (oh yes they are bab!). This all makes for a show that is great fun, funny and warm and offering something different on the Birmingham Christmas. Cinderella has a great cast, with many returning to…

If you want to see the funniest, most original Christmas show of 2025, then you need to make your way to the Birmingham Rep. Sherlock Holmes and the 12 days of Christmas is just hilarious, a laugh out loud riot of a show that mixes the World’s greatest detective and the London’s theatre land. Holmes, assisted by the always loyal Watson attempts to hunt down a serial killer with a real hatred for Christmas entertainers, particularly those who relate, in some way, to the Twelve Days of Christmas song. However, Holmes, after a sojourn in Germany, is no longer the only detective in town, and he may just lose his…

Elf is my favourite Christmas movie of them all. So much so, that I find a cinema to watch it in every December, and drag my long suffering hubby and son along with me. With all that in mind, I was excited to see how Elf the Musical translated to a smaller theatre setting of the Wolverhampton Grand, after seeing it on the ‘World’s biggest stage’ many years ago. I’m pleased to say that Elf is still a joy for the whole family, with Buddy being one of theatre’s most lovable characters. If, like me, you love the Will Ferrell film, then be prepared for changes. Some characters have changed…