Audiences turned out in droves for a season of fe‑fi‑fo‑FUN at a Durham City theatre this winter, with more than 22,000 people enjoying the venue’s latest family production.
Written by Gary Kitching and directed by Jacob Anderton, Jack and the Beanstalk at Gala Durham delighted crowds across 66 performances, earning widespread praise from critics and theatre‑goers alike.
The Durham County Council venue also ran accessible shows to ensure as many people as possible could experience the joy of pantomime. This included relaxed performances, British Sign Language interpreted and captioned performances, as well as an audio described performance and touch tour for audiences with sight loss.
And there is more fun to come, with tickets now on sale for Gala Durham’s 2026 pantomime, a tower-iffic twist on the classic tale of Rapunzel.
In the dark, tangled forest of Hamsterley stands a mysterious tower. Locals swear they can hear beautiful singing drifting through the trees, a voice so pure it stops even the bravest woodcutter in their tracks.
What the villagers do not know is that the tower hides a single, sorrowful resident: the kind-hearted Rapunzel, whose only regular company is a plucky little red squirrel.
But the good folk of Hamsterley whisper of other things too. They dare not speak the name of Mistress Gothel, the enchantress who haunts the forest paths.
With the help of her new friends, can Rapunzel travel to the distant city of Durham and discover her true identity and solve the mystery of the floating lanterns?
“Pantomimes are a much-loved tradition for so many families, bringing smiles to the faces of people of all ages. We’re delighted Jack and the Beanstalk proved so popular and I would like to thank the cast, crew, writer, director, Gala Durham staff and everyone who played a part in its success.
“By producing our own shows, we can showcase the amazing talent that exists in our region and stage productions that truly resonate with our audiences.“The fact 22,000 people watched Jack and the Beanstalk is also a win for County Durham’s economy, with the extra footfall providing a welcome boost to other businesses in the area.
“I’m sure this year’s pantomime will be another big hit so I would encourage people to book their tickets as soon as possible to avoid missing out.”
Cllr Karen Allison, Durham County Council’s Cabinet member for leisure, tourism and high street
Rapunzel will run at Gala Durham from Thursday 19 November to Thursday 31 December with accessible performances including a British Sign Language performance on Saturday 5 December at 2pm; an audio described performance on Saturday 5 December at 6.30pm; a captioned performance on Saturday 12 December at 6.30pm; and relaxed performances on Friday 4 December at 1.30pm and Tuesday 15 December at 6.30pm.
Gala Durham is freezing its 2025 prices from Jack and the Beanstalk for Rapunzel until Saturday 31 January.
There is also a limited number of tickets priced at £10 across all performances.
And following feedback from audiences, families can enjoy 15 per cent off when booking four tickets, with a minimum of one child under 16 excluding, on select performances. This offer cannot be used when booking £10 tickets.
To book, visit www.galadurham.co.uk/rapunzel or by calling the Gala Durham Box Office on 03000 266 600.
