Quick answer
Theatre Royal Wakefield is a Victorian theatre in Wakefield city centre and an indoor, rainy day option. Its own pantomime, Beauty and the Beast, plays on selected dates from Tuesday 24 November 2026 to Sunday 3 January 2027. Relaxed performances are listed only on Wednesday 2 December 2026, and BSL signed ones only on Wednesday 9 December, at 10am and 6pm. Once those dates pass, no later ones are listed. On 13 November the theatre’s ticketing system listed standard panto seats from £15 to £45.50, including for under 16s, with dearer box seats. A £1.75 booking fee applies per transaction. Under 18 months go free on a lap. There is no lift, so the circles are reached by stairs only.
Is it right for my child?
- The theatre: designed by Frank Matcham and built in 1894, it is Grade II* listed. The theatre says its Matcham Auditorium, which holds 489 people, is the smallest surviving Matcham auditorium.
- The pantomime: a brand-new show written by Chris Hannon. The event page promises music, mayhem, laughter and love, and calls it fun for the whole family.
- Water pistols: the event page promises “the highest-powered water pistols money can buy”. It does not say whether the audience gets wet.
- Ages: on 13 November 2026 the official pages gave no age guidance and no running time for the panto.
- Sensory notes: the official pages give no show-specific warnings about lights or noise. Standard shows do not have the lower music and sound-effect volume of relaxed performances.
- Supervision: the FAQ says children aged 14 and under must be with an adult aged 18 or over at all times.
Plan your visit: a parent’s checklist
- Pick a performance on the event page. Start times vary by date: 10am, 11am, 1.30pm, 2.30pm, 6pm or 7pm.
- Book early for the cheapest seats. The FAQ says £15 tickets are offered when a show goes on sale but tend to sell very quickly, so they may be gone. Prices can rise with demand.
- Book wheelchair spaces and free carer tickets by phone on 01924 211 311 or at the box office. Free carer tickets cannot be booked online.
- Bring e-tickets on your phone or printed. Allow 20 minutes to collect tickets at the box office.
- Arrive before the time on your ticket, which is the start time. The auditorium normally opens 30 minutes before.
Prices and tickets
On 13 November 2026 the ticketing system listed panto seats in four standard bands, A to D, plus a box band. Band D was £15 at every performance. Band A ranged from £37 to £45.50, depending on the performance. In bands A to D, Children under 16 tickets were listed within the same £15 to £45.50 range.
- Boxes: a “Box / Seats 2 includes refreshments” band was listed at £104 to £121 where offered.
- Fees: the visiting page says all ticket prices include a £2 supplement, and every transaction carries a £1.75 booking fee.
- Babies: the FAQ says under 18 months do not need a ticket and sit on the lap of the person they come with.
- Exchanges: tickets are non-refundable but may be exchanged for another date up to 48 hours before, subject to availability, for £2 per ticket.
Pushchairs, babies and toilets
- Toilets: the Matcham Auditorium and the Walker Studio both have accessible toilets with ramped access.
- Baby changing and pushchairs: the official pages do not mention baby changing, pushchair access or buggy storage. Ask the box office.
- Stairs: there is no lift. The dress circle and upper circle are reached only by stairs.
Food and drink
The FAQ says the bars serve sweets, savoury snacks and hot and cold drinks. Its answer lists no meals.
- Café bar: on Westgate and home to the box office, with coffee, cake and soft drinks through the day.
- Show days: the box office bar opens 90 minutes before a show and the dress circle bar 45 minutes before.
- Own food: the official pages do not say whether you can bring your own snacks.
Getting there and parking
- Address: Drury Lane, Wakefield, WF1 2TE, on the corner of Westgate. The Drury Lane lay-by is for drop-off only.
- Train and bus: Wakefield Westgate station is about five minutes’ walk. The bus station is no more than 10 minutes’ walk.
- Parking: the theatre has no car park. The getting here page names Merchant Gate Multi-Storey, Unity House and Carter Street car parks.
- Charges: car parks are pay and display in the day. After 6pm some council car parks are free, so check the signs.
- Disabled parking: the relaxed performance page says it is at Unity House car park, across the road.
When to visit
- Panto run: on selected dates from Tuesday 24 November 2026 to Sunday 3 January 2027.
- No panto performances listed: Sundays 29 November and 6, 13 and 20 December, Christmas Day and New Year’s Day.
- Box office: Tuesday to Saturday, 10.30am to 4.30pm, in person or by phone. On a Sunday or Monday show day it opens one hour before the show.
- Backstage tours: Behind the Scenes Pantomime Tours are listed only on Tuesday 8 December and Tuesday 15 December 2026, at 5.30pm and 7pm. After 8 December, only the 15 December tours remain. The theatre calls them family-friendly. On 13 November 2026 the ticketing system listed them at £10.
Additional needs and disability support
Theatre Royal Wakefield publishes this support.
- Relaxed performances: listed only on Wednesday 2 December 2026, at 10am and 6pm. After that date they have finished, with no later one listed. House lights stay on low, music and sound effects are turned down, and sudden changes in noise are reduced.
- Break-out space: at relaxed performances the Walker Studio is a quiet space you can use as often as you need.
- BSL signed performances: listed only on Wednesday 9 December 2026, at 10am and 6pm. After that date they have finished, with no later one listed. The interpreter stands on the right as you face the stage, and the stalls give the clearest view.
- Accessible entrance: the glass door on Westgate, to the right of the Victorian building, has power-assisted doors. The relaxed performance page says ramped access leads from the box office straight into the stalls.
- Wheelchair spaces: in the Matcham Auditorium, stalls only. The accessibility page says six spaces, while the accessible facilities page and FAQ say eight.
- Carers: disabled customers can get a free carer ticket by phone or at the box office, with evidence of eligibility. Wheelchair users are entitled to one free carer ticket.
- Hearing: the auditorium’s induction loop does not work in stalls rows H to M. Neck loops are at the collection desk, with no booking needed.
- Not mentioned: the official pages do not mention a Changing Places toilet or sensory bags.
Frequently asked questions
When is the Theatre Royal Wakefield pantomime 2026?
Beauty and the Beast plays on selected dates from Tuesday 24 November 2026 to Sunday 3 January 2027. No performance is listed on Christmas Day or New Year’s Day.
How much are Theatre Royal Wakefield panto tickets?
On 13 November 2026 the ticketing system listed standard seats from £15 to £45.50, varying by performance and price band. Box seats with refreshments cost more. A £1.75 booking fee is added per transaction.
Do babies need a ticket at Theatre Royal Wakefield?
Not under 18 months. The FAQ says they sit on the lap of the person they come with.
Is there a relaxed performance of the Wakefield panto?
Only one date is listed, Wednesday 2 December 2026, at 10am and 6pm, so after that date there is none. The theatre says relaxed performances may also suit some families with young children.
Is Theatre Royal Wakefield wheelchair accessible?
Partly. An accessible entrance on Westgate gives ramped access to the stalls, but there is no lift. Matcham Auditorium wheelchair spaces are in the stalls only.
What age is the Theatre Royal Wakefield panto suitable for?
The theatre calls it fun for the whole family but publishes no age guidance or running time. Children 14 and under must be with an adult aged 18 or over.
Checked on 13 November 2026 against the official Theatre Royal Wakefield Beauty and the Beast, Visiting, FAQs, Accessibility, Relaxed Performances and Getting Here pages, and the theatre’s online ticketing. Prices and times can change, so check before you travel.
