The Grand calls itself the home of entertainment since 1782, and it is now run by a charity that is also home to the Lancaster Footlights companies, including Youth Footlights. The family panto, Robin Hood this year from 28 November to 28 December, costs £49 for a family of four, which is about as low as panto gets.
The rest of the family calendar is visiting shows, one or two dates each: The Littlest Yak, a musical with puppets from the picture book, on 26 and 27 January, The Very Hungry Caterpillar Show on 26 and 27 April, and Dinosaur Adventure Live on 30 May. None of them cost more than £17.50 a head.
What it costs: Robin Hood panto: £13.50 child, £14.50 adult, £49 for a family of four, rising to £14.50, £15.50 and £54 for the performances around Christmas. The Very Hungry Caterpillar Show is £13 child, £15 adult or £48 for four; Dinosaur Adventure Live is £17.50, or £64 for four.
A proper local panto in Sherwood Forest, with the Sheriff of Nottingham getting what he deserves. A family ticket for two adults and two children is £49, rising to £54 on the premium dates: Christmas Eve, Boxing Day and 28 December. The Sunday 11am shows on 13, 20 and 27 December are the ones for children who flag by teatime.
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One email a week: what is on this weekend within a sensible drive, and the places worth booking before they go.