Pantamimes

[iloveaglassofwine]

This year I was hoping to take DCs to our local pantomime. We're close to Manchester so a quick look for tickets this morning and reasonable-ish seats at the beginning of December would be £125 for the 4 of us. £125 . I had no idea I'd have to re-mortgage to go. Is this a normal price? Because I'm thinking that hanging out at the local shopping centre and listening to the brass band might be what we do to get into the Christmas spirit instead! .

I loved panto as a child. Do you all do panto? Any ideas for cheaper options.

Pantomimes . Why do I always see the glaring spelling errors just as I have pressed post?

Have a look for local pantos. I was looking in newcastle and there were about five. I didn't even look at the main theatre as I knew it would be expensive. There were also family tickets available that were about thirty pounds cheaper which were not available from 23rd dec until jan 6th.

That sounds about normal for a professional panto I'm afraid. Maybe have a look round to see if any local amateur groups have a panto on offer as they're more likely to be affordable. Our local group charge £8 a ticket for adults and £6 for children and just as much fun as a professional one.

I just looked at the prices for Blackpool (which must be as trad a panto venue as you can get) - they do a £50 family ticket.

Looks the the Lowry is doing Robin Hood - not exactly panto but might be an alternative, tickets £9 to £20.50 .

Just found a page here listing Manchester am dram groups - looks like lots do pantos!

I used to love the local panto when I was a kid. No one of the telly but all the better for that. The target audience for panto is mostly too young for soaps anyway!

Thank you, I'll look more locally. I guess the bigger pantos, you are paying for the big names. We have Pudsey the dog coming to Manchester, clearly his tastes are rather refined .

Errol (fab user name), thank you for the list and the suggestion of Blackpool. I'll look into it.

We go to our local panto every Christmas Eve.
No one famous but it is always brilliant and the kids talk about it and look forward to it all year.
For 2 adults and 3 children I pay about £60.

We're booked at the Lincoln panto on christmas eve matinee. Priciest seats are the boxes (£80? for 4 seats) ours are the next best, circle no one in front, no one behind, right next to the box: £60 for 4. Cannon and Ball again this year

I got my panto tickets with Tesco Clubcard vouchers last year. Only about 10 venues available throughout the country, so you may have to travel. But entirely free - no booking fees or anything like that. Not released yet for this year that I can see though.

Our DCs go with the school, the school gets cheaper tickets, all the children get to go and it is paid for through the PSA and class cake sales.