If you love this time of year because of panto, this one should be firmly on your Christmas radar.
Scrooge the Christmas Party With a Twist at the ICC Wales in the Celtic Manor Resort takes Charles Dickens’ classic and turns it into something that feels like a cross between a traditional pantomime,The Greatest Showman and Saturdays Night Takeaway . Think big tunes, family-friendly jokes, high-energy circus acrobatics and plenty of Christmas charm, all wrapped up in a bold, feel-good spectacle.
Pantomimes are usually quite predictable, and that’s part of their appeal. You expect the familiar story beats, the booing, the laughs and the audience interaction. This production has all of that, but what makes it stand out is how far it leans into circus-style performance. High-flying aerialists soar above the stage, acrobats twist and tumble, firebreathers add moments of real wow-factor, and the whole thing is stitched together with music and a clever live projection wall that keeps the energy high from start to finish.
It genuinely feels like something different. One minute you’re enjoying classic panto humour, the next you’re watching jaw-dropping circus acts that wouldn’t feel out of place in a full-scale arena show. There’s even a moment where a lucky audience member walks away £100 richer, which only adds to the sense that anything could happen.
What really works is how accessible it all is. Kids will love the spectacle, jokes and colour, while adults will appreciate the production values and the fact it never talks down to its audience. It’s the perfect family Christmas activity, especially if you’re looking for something a bit bigger and bolder than the usual festive fare.
And if you want to make a full day of it, you can. The venue also houses an indoor ice rink, making it easy to turn your visit into a proper winter outing rather than just a show.
Festive, funny and full of surprises, Scrooge the Christmas Party With a Twist proves that panto can still evolve, and Christmas shows can still surprise.
