Christmas Pantomimes – Game for a dame

Silly, sparkly, full of slapstick and innuendo, we love panto. Since we were tiny tots, we’ve been enjoying the annual pantomime outing, so we’ve been keenly eyeing who’s starring on the bill at this year’s London pantomime offerings. Gather the family, bag some sweets and settle in for an afternoon of audience participation at the theatre. Here’s our guide to the essentially English tradition of men in gowns and wigs, and women dressed as small boys. Tally-ho!

In the hood
Robin Hood, 6-31 December, Victoria Park, Victoria Park Road, London E3 5SN, tel: 020 7364 7905
Here’s a pantomime with a twist. From 7am to dusk, a professional cast and team of young people from local schools are joining forces to provide a one-hour family pantomime in Winterville. While you’re out east, once you’ve enjoyed the fun, head over to our Canar Wharf office and discover your next property.

All polished up
Aladdin, 11 December – 3 January, Shaw Theatre, 100-110 Euston Road, London NW1 2AJ, tel: 0870 033 2600
A panto classic, Aladdin never fails to please. This should be a good retelling with Ben Richards of Footballers’ Wives stardom, and Britain’s Got Talent star La Voix playing the eponymous hero and his faithful genie. Magic lamp aside, pop into our Hyde Park branch and we’d be delighted to make your next property wish come true.

Magic ride
Room on the Broom, 26 November – 11 January, Lyric Theatre, Shaftesbury Avenue, London W1D 7ES, tel: 0844 4829674
Not strictly panto, but Julia Donaldson’s superb children’s books are now synonymous with the season, thanks to the Beeb’s Christmas Day television adaptations. Room on the Broom tells the simple story of a witch who runs into trouble when her trusty transport breaks – should she trust the hungry dragon who shows up in her moment of crisis? Perfect for little ones – and once they’ve enjoyed the show, head over to our Hyde Park office and we’ll show you the best trouble-free properties in town.

Bloomin’ Christmas
Raymond Briggs’ Father Christmas , 14 November – 31 December, Lyric Hammersmith, Lyric Square, King Street, London W6 0QL, tel: 020 8741 6850
Our other festive favourite, Raymond Briggs’ Father Christmas, comes to live at the Lyric. Little ones will be enchanted as FC scampers across Hammersmith rooftops to get his annual deliveries completed. Simply wonderful family fun. When you fancy looking under the roof of the area’s best properties, give us a call at our Kensington office.

Golden boy
Dick Whittington and His Cat, 22 November – 3 January, Lyric Hammersmith, Lyric Square, King Street, London W6 0QL, tel: 020 8741 6850
The endearing tale of one man and his cat who overcome adversity in a classic rags to riches tale. The Lyric has given Dick and his cat a makeover so the story feels contemporary even for today’s techno-savvy toddlers. The evil Queen Rat keeps things classic with plenty of audience participation. Of course, if you are looking for your very own gold-lined road, we have the perfect W6 properties to share, so give us a call at our Kensington office.

Full of beans
Jack and the Beanstalk, 20 November – 11 January, Greenwich Theatre, Crooms Hill, London SE10 8ES, tel 020 8858 7755
A first for the Greenwich Theatre, the show centres on the Giant Bonecruncher who is terrorising villagers with burdensome taxes. Jack and his cow save the day, with those magic beans and a fairy thrown in for good measure. We don’t have any beanstalks, but we do have some magic properties to let (oh yes, we do), so give our Greenwich office a call and we’d be delighted to wave our magic wand for a great start to 2015.

If the shoe fits
Cinderella, 5-31 December, New Wimbledon Theatre, The Broadway, London SW19 1QG, tel: 0870 060 6646
There are stars a-plenty in this panto-extravaganza, with ugly sisters Matthew Kelly and Wayne Sleep, funnyman Tim Vine, andDallas’ Linda Gray, plus two Shetland ponies taking to the stage for the classic tale of a girl who finds her prince charming. If south-west is where it’s at for you, stop by our Imperial Wharf branch to discover our latest properties.

Mirror, mirror
Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs, 5 December – 11 January, Richmond Theatre, The Green, Richmond TW9 1QJ, tel: 0870 060 6651
Slightly further afield, but take the underground for what looks set to be one of the best pantos this season. Mick Jagger’s ex, Jerry Hall, is guesting as the wicked stepmother, having proved her theatrical abilities with stints in The Graduate and High Society. Of course, if you prefer to live a little more centrally, visit our Knightsbridge office and we’ll show you the fairest of them all.

Of course panto comes but once a year, while Benham & Reeves Residential Lettings is here to please all year round – so if you need a stellar performance contact us to find your next London property.