THURROCK Council has released details of this year's Christmas pantomime at the Thameside Theatre in Grays - which will be a co-production between the theatre's in house team and Peterborough-based Polka Dot productions, who have produced festive shows in Thurrock for the last decade.

This year the performance will be Rapunzel, which runs from 29 November until 31 December. Tickets are on sale now at thurrock.gov.uk/thameside

The new co=production arrangement will combine the technical skills of Polka Dot with the local knowledge of Thameside's staff. It follows on from the success of last year's production of Peter Pan when local performer and impressario Luke Coldham stepped into the director's role and delivered a much-improved series of shows.

Last year's Peter Pan was a big hit.

The build-up to the 2025 production was shrouded in uncertainty for much of the year - until a deal between the council and Polka Dot was evenutally worked out.

This year Luke Coldham will once again be centra stage as the Dame, returning as Betty Bouffant. Also returning from last year is Sam Ward Smith – an audience favourite who played Captain Hook last year and is coming back as the hapless King Crumble for 2026.

Cllr George Monk, cabinet member for Deregulation, Civic Pride and Heritage, said: "The Thameside panto is always hugely popular, and for good reason as Christmas would not be complete without it. It is an extremely fun experience for all the family.

"This year will be no exception, and we expect that tickets will sell out fast, so make sure to get booking quickly so you and your family can start your Christmas fun at the Thameside Theatre Christmas Panto.

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"This year promises to be better than ever as Thameside's staff take over half the helm to make sure we have a show that is truly unforgettable."

Darren Maddison, company director of Polka Dot Pantomimes, said: "We are thrilled to have been chosen to co-produce this year's pantomime and are eager to begin working with the Thameside Theatre team.

"This new dynamic will still retain all the best elements of previous pantomimes but the joint collaboration allows us to integrate fresh ideas and explore new ways of working.

"We are delighted to be equal partners and have always championed the Thameside team having more input artistically and logistically. We look forward to this exciting new era of family pantomime at the Thameside Theatre."

As well as the main performances there will three relaxed performances, for people who might find the noise and lights of the main performance over whelming, four more risqué adult performances, and a British Sign Language performance.

Tickets for all Thameside shows are available through the theatre's online box office: thameside-tickets.thamesidetheatre.com/ticketbooth/shows.