Now it’s November thoughts are turning to Christmas and there are plenty of shows for everyone to enjoy this festive season
Halloween has been and gone and that means one thing – we can start looking forward to Christmas.
And what better way to get into the festive spirit than taking in a Christmas show or pantomime.
Londoners are spoiled for choice when it comes to which one to pick, so we’ve compiled a list of some of the best hidden gem shows you definitely won’t regret booking.
Cinderella: Buttons Undone!
Charing Cross Theatre from November 21 – January 9
Panto pioneers He’s Behind You! bring their award-winning mix of outrageous comedy, queer joy and original songs to an adults-only Cinderella. Set in the gloriously faded seaside resort of Lob-on-Sea, this Cinderella features gangsters, tennis tournaments, mistaken identities and plenty of chaos as He’s Behind You! serve a love game, set and match the likes of which Wimbledon has never seen. For more information visit the website.
Christmas at the Old Royal Naval College
November 28 – December 23
Seasonal favourites return to Greenwich with Father Christmas (November 28 – December 22) bringing storytelling and seasonal magic to life and The Elves and the Jingle Bell Ball (December 19 to 23) offer a new interactive Christmas adventure featuring decorating, discos, magic spells and cheer. Admiral’s House will also open its doors for Christmas Social Media Days. Beautifully dressed for the holidays, all four rooms of the historic house will be adorned with decorations, creating the perfect setting to celebrate the season and explore the interiors that are rarely open to the public throughout December.
Christmas at Jacksons Lane
December 1 – January 3
Mischievous elves, adventurous little pigs and a familiar monster take over Jacksons Lane for its first Christmas Cracker season! Six family shows across five weeks bring together circus, puppetry, ballet and musical theatre, from Hikapee’s The Elf Factory and Stuff & Nonsense’s The Three Little Pigs to Let’s All Dance Ballet Company’s A Christmas Wish and Indefinite Articles’ Pinocchio. Tom Fletcher’s There’s a Monster in Your (Christmas) Show adds festive musical fun before The Ultimate Bubble Show rounds off the holidays with extraordinary bubble creations. A Christmas market and festive food complete the celebrations. For more information, visit the website.
Dick Whittingberg Gets Into a Pickle
December 6 – January 3, Finchley Road
Now in its fourth year, JW3’s pantomime has firmly established itself as the UK’s leading Jewish pantomime, becoming a much-loved fixture of London’s Christmas theatre calendar. Bringing a distinctly Jewish twist to the classic tale, Dick Whittingberg Gets Into a Pickle features villainous rats, singalongs and plenty of festive fun, while showcasing some of the UK’s leading Jewish theatre-makers in a joyful production for audiences of all ages. For more information, visit the website.
The Gingerbread Man
December 5 – December 24, The Albany, Deptford
From his creation in the kitchen to his adventures on stage and his introduction to the world, the story follows the Gingerbread Man, the bravest biscuit of all time, as he sets off on the journey of a lifetime. Using his wits to escape anyone who finds him tasty, he encounters a host of unexpected characters and adventures along the way. Created by acclaimed family theatre company Stuff and Nonsense in close collaboration with primary school children, this deliciously mischievous production combines inventive puppetry, original music and plenty of humour to reimagine the classic tale for young audiences. For more information visit the website.
Actor’s House Christmas Songbook
Gillian Lynne Threatre, December 7
Presented by Olivier Award-winning performer Matt Henry MBE (The Devil Wears Prada, Kinky Boots), The Actors House Christmas Songbook will bring together some of musical theatre’s biggest names, including Beverley Knight MBE, Kerry Ellis and Divina de Campo, for one spectacular night of music, raising vital funds to support touring actors and creatives across the UK. With touring artists often required to spend extended periods away from home, access to secure and affordable housing is essential to making a career on the road sustainable. The concert will help Matt take his vision for a more supported future for touring theatre even further. For more information, visit the website.
