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Theatre

Christmas theatre shows for all the family

By Lucy Brooks on 28/11/2022

From twisted fairytales to traditional panto: book now for the best Christmas theatre shows London 2022 has to offer

MOTHER GOOSE. John Bishop, Mel Giedroyc and Ian McKellen. Photo: Craig Sugden

Ian McKellen in Mother Goose, Duke of York's Theatre

The legendary Sir Ian McKellen shows his silly side as the titular Mother Goose, alongside John Bishop and Mel Geidbroyc in this big-budget, West End pantomime. An all-singing, all-dancing, unashamedly silly affair, it promises tap-dancing puppets, fairies and ladles of family-friendly humour.

For ages 8+

WHEN

15 Dec 2022 – 29 Jan 2023, Performance start times vary depending on date

WHERE

Duke of York's Theatre
St Martin's Lane, London, WC2N 4BG

Bugsy Malone the Musical, Alexandra Palace

Splurge guns at the ready... Bugsy Malone brings pint-sized gangsters to the London stage for a prohibition-era adventure at Fat Sam's speakeasy. The production, which premiered at Lyric Hammersmith to five-star reviews, returns - this time to Alexandra Palace. It works for nostalgic adults who grew up with Alan Parker's Bugsy Malone as well as children who identify with the young heroes.

For ages 8+

WHEN

3 Dec - 15 Jan

WHERE

Alexandra Palace, London N22 7AY

Cirque du Soleil - Kurios, Royal Albert Hall

Given it opens in January, Cirque du Soleil's Kurios isn't quite a Christmas show - but it is the perfect pick-me-up to plan for when festivities end and winter feels very flat. Set in an alternative past, Kurios is full of ethereal creatures who use humour, poetry and wonder to show us all the is possible when we open our minds.

For ages 8+

WHEN

13 Jan - 12 Feb 2023

WHERE

Royal Albert Hall, Kensington Gore, London, United Kingdom, SW7 2AP

A Christmas Carol, The Old Vic

The Old Vic's atmospheric production of A Christmas Carol is a festive tradition in its own right. Jack Thorne's stage adaptation transports you to Victorian London, with plenty of mince pies and musical merriment, while Dickens' classic tale of the miserly Ebenezer Scrooge teaches a heart-warming lesson about festive values.

For ages 10+

WHEN

12 Nov - 7 Jan

WHERE

103 The Cut, London, United Kingdom, SE1 8NB

Dolly Parton's Smoky Mountain Christmas Carol, Southbank Centre

Dolly Parton takes on Charles Dickens in this re-worked festive musical based on A Christmas Carol. Relocated to the Great Smoky Mountains of East Tennessee, the show imagines Scrooge in a mining town. 'I've been busy writing new songs that I hope will bring some the warmth, love and good memories that I have of Christmas time,' Parton says.

For ages 8+

WHEN

8 Dec 2022 - 8 Jan 2023

WHERE

Queen Elizabeth Hall, Southbank Centre, Belvedere Road, London SE1 8EXX

Raymond Briggs' Father Christmas, Lyric Hammersmith

It's the busiest day of the year for Father Christmas - he has to feed the reindeer, sort the presents, pack them up and finally deliver them all around the world. Raymond Briggs' beloved picture book comes to life with humour and charm in this Lyric family production. With a 50 minute run time and plenty of daytime performances, it's an ideal show for little ones.

For children under 6 (and accompanying adults)

WHEN

23 Nov - 31 Dec 2022

WHERE

Lyric Hammersmith Theatre, Lyric Square, King St, London W6 0QL

Elf the Musical, Dominion Theatre

With an explosion of sparkle, songs and Santas, Elf the Musical might be cheesy, but it is lots of fun too. Based on the hit 2003 film starring Will Ferrell, the show follows Buddy, a human raised in the North Pole who doesn't fit in with his Elf family. When he heads to New York City in search of his real father, Buddy's festive spirit causes chaos, comedy and a Christmas miracle.

For ages 5+

WHEN

14 Nov - 7 Jan 2023

WHERE

Dominion Theatre, 268-269 Tottenham Court Rd, London W1T 7RQ

The Fir Tree, Shakespeare's Globe

Hans Christian Anderson's festive fairy tale comes to life in a magical forest under the starry sky. A little fir tree dreams of a world beyond his forest in a show that encompasses puppets, carol singing and plenty of imagination. The show is staged in the open air Globe Theatre, so wrap up warm and stay cosy with hot chocolate and mulled wine.

Suitable for all ages, but best for 3+

WHEN

15 - 31 Dec 2022

WHERE

Shakespeare's Globe, 21 New Globe Walk, London, United Kingdom, SE1 9DT Get directions

Hex, National Theatre 2022

What if a curse is just a blessing gone wrong? This glossy musical casts the Sleeping Beauty myth in a new light, with a Fairy who inadvertently hexes the princess. Expect wondrous sets and costumes in this deliciously dark festive production from head of the National Theatre, Rufus Norris.

For ages 8+

WHEN

26 Nov 2022 – 14 Jan 2023, 7:15 PM – 10:00 PM

WHERE

National Theatre
South Bank, London, SE1 9PX

Circus 1903, Eventim Apollo

Puppetry and cutting-edge technology combine to conjure to traditional magic of the circus. Along with jaw-dropping feats of acrobatics, Circus 1903 features life-size elephants from the Puppeteers behind War Horse. The 2022 production features fresh acts to thrill new and returning audiences. And with some shows starting at 11am, it's ideal for smaller children too.

For ages 3+

WHEN

14 Dec 2022 –⁠ 1 Jan 2023

WHERE

Eventim Apollo, 45 Queen Caroline Street, London, W6 9QH

Frozen the Musical review. Photo: Samantha Barks. Credit: Johan Persson for Disney

Frozen the Musical, Theatre Royal Drury Lane

An icy palace, a free-walking reindeer and bursts of frosty magic: Frozen the Musical glitters at the West End’s Theatre Royal Drury Lane, with a cast led by Samantha Barks as the brooding Elsa, and Stephanie McKeon as spirited sister, Ana. The Broadway transfer ups the ante on the film's feminist themes and laces the action with mildly saucy humour, creating a production with potential to enthral audiences of all ages.

For ages 4+

WHEN

Booking until 23 March 2023

WHERE

Theatre Royal, Drury Lane
Catherine Street, London , WC2B 5JF

Jack and the Beanstalk, Lyric Hammersmith

Director-to-watch Jude Christian is in charge of pumping the magic into the Lyric's 2022 Christmas panto, Jack and the Beanstalk. Beyond the necessities (cow, magic beans, beanstalk and giant), expect a quirky, thoroughly modern take on the tale, complete with extreme skateboarding, milk explosions and even some Beyoncé.

WHEN

19 November - 7 January 2023

WHERE

Lyric Hammersmith, Lyric Square, King Street, London W6 0QL

Alice in Wonderland, Brixton House

Poltergeist Theatre Company delivers Brixton's first home-grown Christmas show in 40 years. Showing at new-for-2022 theatre Brixton House, this Alice in Wonderland reimagines the story in present day, and in the theatre's own south London neighbourhood, where a gaggle of colourful characters meet Alice on a Victoria Line tube carriage fuelled by nonsense.

WHEN

1 - 31 December, 7:30pm

WHERE

Brixton House, 385 Coldharbour Lane, London SW9 8GL