Arts editor Laura Davis gives her guide to the best live shows on offer this Christmas

Dec 11 2009 by Laura Davis, Liverpool Daily Post

Arts editor Laura Davis gives her guide to the best live shows on offer this Christmas

IT’S the battle of the pantos this year as two Cinderellas go head-to-head, Snow Queens compete and a pair of Dick Whittingtons fight for ticket sales. But it’s all to audiences’ benefit, as there are shows to suit all tastes and purses this Christmas.

Maybe it’s that famous Scouse sense of humour, or perhaps we’re all just trying to cheer ourselves up in a recession, but there seems to be more festive entertainment on Merseyside than ever before.

So, get your fix of saucy dames, dastardly villains, former boy-band members and even a Hollywood star with the help of my guide to live entertainment this Noel.

PANTOMIME

THE entire city has been on Winkler Watch this month as the man better known as The Fonz walks to rehearsals in a vibrant range of colourful jumpers. We love him already, but what will we think of his Captain Hook? The Empire’s panto, Peter Pan, also stars former Atomic Kitten Natasha Hamilton as the show’s namesake and actor/comedian Les Dennis as the Dame.

LIVERPOOL Empire, until January 3, tickets £13.50-£26 (£13.50-£23 concs, £48-£96 family ticket), 0844 847 2525.

NO CHRISTMAS is complete without a trip to the Everyman’s Rock ’n’ roll pantomime, which this year transforms the traditional tale of Dick Whittington into That’s What we Call Meowsic, a cross between Indiana Jones and a Carry On. Expect lots of stage trapdoors, cheesy one-liners and knowing innuendo, as well as a smidgeon of audience participation – avoid front row seats if you don’t want to be singled out.

EVERYMAN, until January 23, tickets £10.50-£21 (£32-£70 family ticket), 0151 709 4776.

WHO needs one Dick Whittington when you can have two? Coronation Street’s Bruce Jones (Les Battersby in the soap) is the villainous King Rat trying to thwart fresh-faced hero David Heath, formerly of reality TV band Eaton Road. There’ll be fewer special effects than the Everyman’s show, but at just £30 for a family ticket, it offers good value for money.

NOVAS Contemporary Urban Centre, December 14 - January 3, tickets £5-£12 (£30 family ticket), 0151 708 3529.

CINDERELLA gets to go to the ball at the Brindley, starring comedian Syd Little and Emmerdale’s Leah Bracknell. Due to last year’s popularity, the Runcorn venue has increased its run during December and promises beautiful costumes and scenery.

THE Brindley, until January 10, tickets £14.50, 0151 907 8360.

PETER CROUCH better avoid Southport this Christmas because there’s a giant killer in business. Jack and the Beanstalk stars David Flynn as the hapless hero who swaps his mum’s cow for a bag of beans before setting off on an extraordinary adventure. The cast also includes Ian “H” Watkins, formerly of Steps, and ex-EastEnders actor Marc Bannerman, as well as local dancers.

SOUTHPORT Theatre, until January 3, tickets £14-16 (£10-12 concs, £45-49 family ticket), 0844 847 2380.

YOU may have spotted the Gladstone Theatre’s panto writer, Julia Whitehead, on Songs of Praise last month when the TV show was filmed in Christchurch, Port Sunlight Village. She has turned her attentions to Humpty Dumpty, who has been captured by the evil Fairy Blackheart. Will Prince Jack, Mary Mary Quite Contrary and their friends from Nursery Rhyme Village be able to save him? It’s up to you to find out.

GLADSTONE Theatre, until December 19, tickets £7-£8 (£25 family ticket), 0151 643 8757.

ST HELENS’ Citadel arts centre presents a community panto, adapted from Hans Christian Andersen’s The Snow Queen. Jack Frost and Fairy Snow take you on a journey with young friends Gerda and Kai as they discover the Land of Ice and its diabolical ruler.

THE Citadel, until December 19, tickets from £7 (concs from £5), 01744 735436.

A CAST of local stars turn their talents to Snow White in New Brighton. Ken Dodd stars as the mirror on the wall, Pauline Daniels is the Wicked Queen and Radio City DJ Pete Price plays Muddles. Snow White herself – Kate Mellors – was discovered through a talent search.

FLORAL Pavilion, until January 10, tickets £15, (£13 concs, £45 family ticket), 0151 666 0000.

CONJURER Richard de Vere turns his sleight of hand to Dandini in St Helens Theatre Royal’s version of rags-to-riches tale Cinderella. Chantelle Joseph plays Cinders and Marc Lawlor is her Prince Charming, not forgetting canine superstars Schnorbitz and Schnookie.

ST HELENS Theatre Royal, until January 10, tickets £11-£13 (£9-11 concs, £37-£45 family ticket), 01744 756000.