Derby set for best ever Christmas Festive Spectacular

Beauty and the Beast 2017 Derby LIVE Cast - credit Robert Day

Beauty and the Beast cast

Thu 19 Oct 2017

This year Derby is set for its best ever Christmas festive spectacular, with seasonal fun for everyone over the festive season.

Derby LIVE and Derby-based producers Little Wolf Entertainment will be staging the dazzling, star-studded, family pantomime Beauty and the Beast  at Derby Arena, as the Guildhall Theatre hosts family swashbuckling Christmas adventure Prince Stroppy Pants and the Christmas Caper. Markeaton Park’s Craft Village will become a hub for Family Festivities. Derby LIVE will be staging the traditional Christmas Lights Switch on event on the Market Place and parade through the City. The ever-popular Cathedral Quarter 3aaa Christmas Ice Rink and Christmas Arts & Craft Fair are returning to the Market Place for another season.

The dazzling star-studded, family pantomime Beauty and the Beast at Derby Arena will feature Derby's very own Gwen Taylor and Ben Faulks (CBeebies' Mr Bloom).

The petite French suburb of Spondon on the Seine is ruled by Prince Phillippe, who values youth and beauty above all else. One day a mysterious stranger arrives at the castle, offering a single rose in exchange for shelter from a storm, but he dismisses her. The stranger enchantress (Gwen Taylor) uses her powers to steal the prince’s youth and good looks, cursing him to live as a hideous Beast forever unless he learns to truly love and be loved.

Local Spondon heartthrob and cycling race champion Gaston (Aston Dobson) has set his sights on Belle (Louise Olley) , who unfortunately for him prefers to concentrate on her studies and helping her father, the eccentric inventor Marcel.

Gaston is not alone in his adoration of Belle as local bakery apprentice Idle Jacques also has a bit of a crush. Owner of Local Bakery ‘Le Birds’ Betty Brioche (Morgan Brind) has taken a shine to Belle’s father Marcel and agrees to look after her while he goes to collect a shipment of his latest invention.

Deep within the forest Marcel has strayed from the path and is driven by wolves to the doors of a castle. Surrounding the doorway is a large briar of entwining roses. Remembering Belle’s simple wish to bring her back a single Rose, Marcel plucks one. This simple deed angers the owner of the castle and the Beast takes Marcel hostage.

It’s down to Belle and the rest of the gang to rescue Marcel from the fearsome Beast, but looks can be deceptive and true beauty lies in the eye of the beholder.

Will Belle be able to look past the surface and free Prince Phillipe from the curse? Featuring shimmering sets, outrageous costumes, magic, mayhem and monstrous fun, this brand new production promises to be our most spectacular panto yet.

Beauty and the Beast will be on stage at Derby Arena from Tuesday 5 December 2017 until Sunday 31 December 2017, tickets priced from £14.75 with concessions, group, school and family tickets available. Save £2 when you book before 31 Oct, with other savings available.

Buxton based Babbling Vagabonds will be returning to the Guildhall Theatre this Christmas, from Thursday 7 – Thursday 28 December, with a fantastic new family show Prince Stroppy Pants and the Christmas Caper.

Once upon a time there lived a King, who had a son. The Prince was the bossiest, stroppiest, snottiest Prince that ever did live. He’s so spoiled and fussy that everyone calls him Prince Stroppy Pants.

Everyday his father the Right Royal King tries to encourage him to take more interest in becoming more King-like but all Prince Stroppy pants wants to do is read, dress up in fancy clothes and draw pictures on his tablet.

One day the King promises his son anything his heart desires if the Prince will become more King-like. “I want Father Christmas’ Magical Sleigh and I WANT IT NOW!!!!” At once, the King who loves excitement and adventure sets off to fetch Santa’s sleigh.

A week passed, then a month passed and the King had not returned and the Prince was scared. When the King’s Steward proclaims himself Lord Protector in the King’s absence, cancels Christmas and throws Prince Stroppy Pants in the deepest, darkest Royal Dungeon he knows that
it’s down to him to escape and find the missing King.

Audiences will follow the Prince along his perilous journey through swamps and dark, dark forests full of weird creatures to the North Pole on his quest to find his father. Will the Prince get his daddy back? Will he learn some manners along the way?

Prince Stroppy Pants and the Christmas Caper will be performed at Derby’s Guildhall Theatre from Thursday 7 – Thursday 28 Dec, suitable for all ages. Tickets are priced at £10 - £13.50, with concessions, family tickets, school and group rates available.


Family Festivities at Markeaton Park will be returning after the success of the first event last year. For this season each weekend will be themed and it guarantees to be a fantastic Christmas experience for all the family.

Throughout the festivities a big wheel will be located on the park for the first time, offering visitors a unique view of the picturesque park. Traditional fairground rides will be found in the Craft Village as well as an elf trail for families to follow in the park. Seasonal food will be served in The Orangery café and in the Craft Village.

Over each of the themed weekends there will be activities for everyone to enjoy. From Santa Land to the Christmas Craft Fair, from willow weaving to wreath making and everything in between, Family Festivities at Markeaton Park will have it all.

Events will be taking place over three December weekends including, Craft Weekend Saturday 2 – Sunday 3 December, Music Weekend Saturday 9 – Sunday 10 December and Workshop Weekend Saturday 16 – Sunday 17 December. Some activities will be free and others will incur a charge.

Derby’s Market Place will be hosting the ever-popular, purpose-built Cathedral Quarter 3aaa Christmas Ice Rink this winter, made of real ice. Adults and children alike of all abilities can whizz around the rink in 50-minute sessions, running hourly, with skate hire included.

Whether out with a group of friends, spending time as a family or looking for an activity for a work Christmas party, a spin on the Cathedral Quarter 3aaa Ice Rink will be a fabulous festive treat. During the festive period the Market Place also features a Christmas arts and craft fair.

The Cathedral Quarter 3aaa Christmas Ice Rink at the Market Place will take place from Friday 1 December 2017 until Sunday 31 December 2017 and tickets to skate are priced from £6.50 – £8.50 with concessions available.

No one will want to miss the Christmas Lights Switch-On sponsored by Gem on Saturday 18 November. Family and friends can join the festive parade and then enjoy a variety of entertainment on the Market Place stage hosted by Gem 106 presenters Jo and Sparky, leading up to the big switch-on event around 6pm.