Disclosure: This preview is based on press information supplied by Stratford East. Official booking links are included for readers’ convenience.
Stratford East’s 2026 pantomime
Robin Hood and the Merry Mandem is Stratford East’s new pantomime for Christmas 2026, running from 21 November 2026 to 2 January 2027.
Written by BAFTA-nominated writer Yolanda Mercy and directed by Stratford East Associate Artistic Director Jade Lewis, the production gives the familiar Robin Hood story a distinctly East London spin.
Full cast
- Ashley Joseph — Robin
- Toyin Ayedun-Alase — Mayor
- Eshan Gopal — Lil John Jr
- Daniel Jacob — Muva
- Nickcolia King-N’da — Will Scarlet
- Kandaka Moore — FT
- Helen K Wint — Marian
Creative team
The production is written by Yolanda Mercy and directed by Jade Lewis, with music and lyrics by Stratford East pantomime regular Robert Hyman.
- Set and Costume Design — Stewart J. Charlesworth
- Choreography — Jade Hackett
- Lighting Design — Craig West
- Sound Design — Conrad Kira
- Musical Director — Rachel Wells
- Casting Director — Rob Kelly
- Costume Supervisor — Chantal Short
Dates and tickets
- Venue: Stratford East, Gerry Raffles Square, London E15 1BN
- Dates: 21 November 2026 – 2 January 2027
- Age guidance: suitable for all ages
- Tickets: currently from £10, with under-17 concessions on selected seats
- Pay What You Can: Thursday 26 November at 7pm, with tickets from £6
Check dates, availability and book Robin Hood and the Merry Mandem at Stratford East →
Accessible performances
- BSL interpreted: Friday 11 December at 6.30pm
- Captioned: Friday 18 December at 6.30pm
- Audio described: Saturday 19 December at 12pm
- Relaxed performance: Saturday 2 January 2027
Stratford East has step-free access at its main entrance, wheelchair spaces in the stalls, accessible toilets and companion-ticket arrangements. Contact the theatre directly if you need a wheelchair space or specific access support.
Why it fits the Christmas guide
Stratford East has a long panto tradition, but this one also works nicely with our East London and family coverage. The title alone tells you it is not aiming for a generic copy-and-paste festive production: it is being created specifically for Stratford East’s audience.
Planning more festive days out? Have a mooch through Clarissa’s Corner’s Christmas 2026 guide and our Children’s Theatre London guide for more family shows and pantomimes.
Image credit
Photography by Michael Wharley. Design by Steph Pyne. Press image supplied by Stratford East.
