2 weeks Ago By Jaymi McCann
Comedy Touring Sara Pascoe headlines 17 shows across England and Scotland , joined each night by four other stand-ups in a changing roster that includes Ivo Graham, Janine Harouni, Tim Key and Phil Wang. 2-21 Dec, liveatchristmas.com Underbelly Boulevard Soho, London Madcap podcasters Matthew Crosby, Ben Clark and Tom Parry are having an Advocaat-soaked Christmas party – and their guest Bridget Christie is corralled into playing daft parlour games.
2 Dec, underbellyboulevard.com Indigo O2, London Alex Horne, fresh from another run as Greg Davies’ Taskmaster sidekick, has devised this one-off festive show for his band, who mix music and comedy with general mucking about, before they restart their UK tour in March. 8 Dec, thehornesection.
com Soho Theatre, London Edinburgh Comedy Award winners Riches and Kearns channel musical theatre divos Michael Ball and Alfie Boe. Spooftastic. 10 Dec-4 Jan, sohotheatre.
com Pantomime Hackney Empire, London Clive Rowe, panto’s premier dame, dons his false bosoms again to play Sarah the Cook in this sumptuous rags-to-riches tale. Lots of song and dance and spectacular costumes are guaranteed. Until 5 Jan, hackneyempire.
co.uk Waterfront Hall, Belfast Charming family panto directed by the talented Chris Robinson, heading up the same team behind last year’s hit show Rapunzel. Until 5 Jan, waterfront.
co.uk King’s Theatre, Glasgow The fabulous Elaine C Smith (from Two Doors Down ) leads the cast at a theatre famous for its hootingly good traditional shows. She’s Mrs Smee opposite fellow panto stalwart Johnny Mac as Smee.
Until 5 Jan, atgtickets.com Theatr Clwyd, Mold The story is given a modern makeover with rock, pop and soul songs, while keeping traditional touches of a dame, painful gags and audience participation. Until 19 Jan, theatrclwyd.
com Read Next 24 reasons for everyone to feel more cheerful this winter Royal Court, Liverpool Little Red is off her head and her nan’s looking for some of that magic CBD oil in Kevin Fearon’s adult take on the tale, filled with local gags about woolybacks and a lad with big chopper. Until 25 Jan, liverpoolsroyalcourt.com Grand Opera House, Belfast Local legend drag queen May McFettridge leads the cast as Mrs Smee in a show that combines traditional panto with high-flying acrobatic tricks.
30 Nov-12 Jan, goh.co.uk Milton Keynes Theatre Craig Revel Horwood, fresh from another series of being judgy on Strictly Come Dancing , gets to be mean again as Captain Hook.
Get your boos and hisses ready. 6 Dec-5 Jan, atgtickets.com Darlington Hippodrome Singer and Casualty star Lee Mead turns on the charm as the Prince, while Hi-de-Hi! star Su Pollard plays against type as the wicked fairy Aunt Carabosse.
This is Pollard’s 49th panto, so she should know the ropes by now. 6-31 Dec, darlingtonhippodrome.co.
uk Richmond Theatre, London Maureen Lipman temporarily leaves the cobbles of Coronation Street to put on her glad rags as Mrs Potty in this romantic adventure alongside comedy magician Pete Firman as Silly Billy. 7 Dec-5 Jan, atgtickets.com New Theatre, Cardiff Presenters Gethin Jones and Owain Wyn Evans pair up as Prince Charming and Dandini in this family show, with Denquar Chupak as Cinders.
7 Dec-5 Jan, trafalgartickets.com London Palladium Singer Jane McDonald makes her panto debut as Maid Marion in the festive season’s most extravagant show. She joins Julian Clary, pulling on the fetching green tights in the title role, and his repertory company of Nigel Havers, Paul Zerdin and Rob Madge.
7 Dec-12 Jan, lwtheatres.co.uk Theatre Royal, Nottingham TV fashionista Gok Wan as the Magical Merman and Denise Welch as Captain Hook are joined in Neverland by comedy icon Paul Chuckle for this family show.
7 Dec-12 Jan, trch.co.uk JW3, London Read Next Coriolanus, National Theatre review: David Oyelowo gives a towering performance The team behind last year’s successful debut of pantomime at JW3 return with this (very) loose reworking of the Goldilocks tale, with Debbie Chazen as Mama Bear again leading the cast.
Panto with a Jewish twist? Oy vey! 8 Dec-5 Jan, jw3.org.uk Wycombe Swan Vernon Kay swashes his buckle in a show that mixes traditional elements with a dazzling digital set for some animated scenes and special effects.
13 Dec-5 Jan, trafalgartickets.com De Montfort Hall, Leicester CBeebies’ Gyasi Sheppy is the dashing Prince and Tash Bacarese-Hamilton is Snow White in this family show. They are joined by comic Jarred Christmas.
13 Dec-5 Jan, demontforthall.co.uk Theatre Royal Plymouth Lesley Joseph and Rob Rinder – who have proved themselves to be a great double act in previous seasons – team up again, playing The Wicked Queen and The Man in the Mirror respectively.
They’re joined by Andy Ford, one of panto’s best comic turns, as Muddles and The Artist’s Briana Craig as Snow White. 13 Dec-11 Jan, theatreroyal.com Cliffs Pavilion, Southend The panto debut we’ve all bean waiting for: presenter and DJ Rylan gets his teeth into the role of Spirit of the Beans.
Joining him on his home turf in Essex are Toby Miles as Jack Trot and Allana Taylor as Princess Jill. 14 Dec-5 Dec, trafalgartickets.com Theatre @SohoPlace, London Nick Mohammed (Nate in Ted Lasso ) brings his chaotic comedy creation Mr Swallow to the West End as he and his team of players (including Kieran Hodgson from Two Doors Down) parlay Dickens’ tale, where for some reason Mr Swallow plays Scrooge in a Santa costume.
To 31 Dec, sohoplace.org Leicester Square Speigeltent, London The Olivier Award-winning reinvention of circus and cabaret is celebrating 20 years, and among those joining the established ine-up are Danik Abishev with his hand-balancing act and solo aerial performer Cornelius Atkinson. To 5 Jan, lacliquetheshow.
com National Theatre, London Katy Rudd returns to the National following her acclaimed production of The Ocean at the End of the Lane with Kendall Feaver’s adaptation of Noel Streatfeild’s book about three adopted sisters living in a crumbling house. 26 Nov-22 Feb, nationaltheatre.org Southwark Playhouse, London This adult show – a mix of cabaret, stand-up comedy, burlesque and musical theatre – has achieved almost cult status in Australia, where it sold out runs in Sydney, Melbourne and Brisbane.
Expect the mostly Aussie cast to get down to their Christmas under-crackers at some point. 28 Nov-11 Jan, southwarkplayhouse.co.
uk Touring Comic and former Great British Bake Off presenter Matt Lucas provides the narration for this strikingly modern take on a traditional favourite – the story is told by a drone show in the sky above each of its cricket ground location. Let’s hope the weather cooperates. 7-8 Dec, Trent Bridge, Nottingham; 14 Dec, The 1st Central County Ground, Hove; 19-21 Dec, Seat Unique Stadium, Bristol, yuup.
co/a-christmas-carol Dance Birmingham Hippodrome Birmingham Royal Ballet’s sumptuous production of Sir Peter Wright’s festive classic returns, complete with sword fights, falling snow, magic and a 30ft Christmas tree. Tchaikovsky’s glorious score is performed live by the 60-strong Royal Ballet Sinfonia. Until 14 Dec, birminghamhippodrome.
com Touring Northern Ballet’s version of Dickens’ tale is choreographed by Christopher Gable, with designs by Lez Brotherston. Today, Norwich Theatre Royal; 26-30 Nov, Nottingham Theatre Royal; 17 Dec-4 Jan, Leeds Grand Theatre, northernballet.com Touring Acosta’s makeover mixes ballet and Cuban dance, set to an exuberant new version of Tchaikovsky’s score by Pepe Gavilondo.
The story is relocated to Cuba, with the dream sequences set in the grand ballrooms of 40s Havana. 26-27 Nov, Richmond Theatre; 10-15 Dec, Southbank Centre, London; 10-11 Jan, New Victoria Theatre, Woking; 17-18 Jan, Milton Keynes Theatre, atgtickets.com, southbankcentre.
co.uk Touring English National Ballet’s new production is by its artistic director Aaron S Watkin and Olivier winner Arielle Smith. Dick Bird provides the spectacular design.
28-30 Nov, Mayflower Theatre, Southampton; 12 Dec-12 Jan, London Coliseum, ballet.org.uk Royal Opera House, London In this co-production between the Royal Ballet and the National Ballet of Canada, Frederick Ashton’s choreography is set to Prokofiev’s music, as Cinderella is transported to a magical kingdom.
If the shoe fits...
3 Dec-16 Jan, rbo.org.uk Touring Christmas wouldn’t be Christmas without The Nutcracker , and Scottish Ballet are touring this updated version by Christopher Hampson of Peter Darrell’s original.
6-30 Dec, Theatre Royal, Glasgow; 8-18 Jan, Festival Theatre, Edinburgh; 22-25 Jan, Eden Court, Inverness; 29 Jan-1 Feb, His Majesty’s Theatre, Aberdeen; 6-8 Feb, Theatre Royal, Newcastle, scottishballet.co.uk Family Dundee Rep Auchenshoogle’s finest son (and DC Thomson’s creation) is joined by Primrose, Boab, Soapy Soutar, Wee Eck and the rest of the gang for a show designed for ages five-plus.
All together now: “Oor Wullie! Your Wullie! A’body’s Wullie!” Until 30 Dec, dundeerep.co.uk Unicorn Theatre, London The world premiere of Robert Alan Evans’ adaptation of Neil Gaiman’s novel about Odd, a young boy who becomes an unlikely hero when he meets Norse gods Odin, Loki and Thor.
They are in trouble so Odd must use all his cunning to save them, and stop the invading Frost Giants from plunging the world into endless winter. Ages seven-plus. Until 31 Dec, unicorntheatre.
com Peacock Theatre, London This magical stage adaptation of the Raymond Briggs picture book, featuring music and lyrics by Howard Blake (performed by a live orchestra), is back for its 27th year. Until 4 Jan, sadlerswells.com Polka Theatre, London This new production is a perfect introduction to the story of squabbling siblings Clara and Fritz, who receive a mysterious Nutcracker toy from flamboyant Aunty Drosselmeyer.
Ages five-plus. Until 26 Jan, polkatheatre.com The Royal Lyceum, Edinburgh Duncan McLean’s new adaptation of Robert Louis Stevenson’s novel has Jim Hawkins and Ben Gunn – plus Lean Jean Silver – telling their tale of piratical adventures, relocated to Orkney.
28 Nov-4 Jan, lyceum.org.uk Nottingham Playhouse Isabella Waldron’s new version (suitable for three years and up) about the newest duckling on the pond is told through music and interactive elements.
5 Dec-4 Jan, nottinghamplayhouse.co.uk Apollo Theatre, London The former CBeebies presenter leads this festive show mixing theatre and science.
She plays a work experience kid in Santa’s workshop where the elves help her answer Christmas-related questions, such as where does snow come from and how do crackers go bang? 6 Dec-4 Jan, theapollotheatre.co.uk theapollotheatre.
co.uk Kaveh Rahnama’s stage adaptation of Tove Jansson’s classic tale The Fir Tree is given its world premiere, marking the 80th anniversary of the book’s publication in 2025. The show, combining circus, storytelling and music, is suitable for ages three-plus.
6 Dec-5 Jan, jacksonslane.org.uk Royal & Derngate, Northampton A new show – suitable for all ages – tells Janet and Allan Ahlberg’s story with theatre and songs about the Jolly Postman cycling through the snow to deliver parcels to his friends Red Riding Hood, Humpty Dumpty and the Gingerbread Man.
7-31 Dec, royalandderngate.co.uk Alexandra Palace Theatre, London The Horrible Histories team deliver their delightfully subversive take on the festive season while filling in the gaps of your knowledge, such as why we eat turkey, send cards or put up a tree inside the house.
For ages five-plus. 12 Dec-4 Jan, alexandrapalace.com Musicals The Alexandra, Birmingham Pete Waterman has produced the Steps musical you have been waiting for – including the popsters’ hits “5, 6, 7, 8”, “Stomp” and “Better Best Forgotten” – in its world premiere before a West End run.
Until 30 Nov, atgtickets.com Touring Love the story but panto not your thing? Try this spectacular Disney version with sparkly sets, songs and comedy. Until 30 Nov, Theatre Royal Glasgow; 11 Dec-5 Jan, Liverpool Empire, atgtickets.
com Manchester Royal Exchange This carnival-esque musical comedy is based on the colourful life of Viv Nicholson (Rachel Leskovac), the working-class Yorkshirewoman who won a fortune on the football pools in 1961 and went from rags to riches and back again. Until 11 Jan, royalexchange.co.
uk Wales Millennium Centre Lin Manuel Miranda’s pulsating story of American founding father Alexander Hamilton – a smash hit on Broadway and the West End – starts its first UK tour in Cardiff. 26 Nov-25 Jan, wmc.org.
uk Eventim Apollo, London If you’re a fan of former Wimbledon FC hardman Vinnie Jones – now a Hollywood actor – trot along to Hammersmith to see his stage debut as villain Danny Driscoll. In January, the cast bid Jones “bonjour” as the tour continues until June 2025. Cushty.
17 Dec-5 Jan, eventim.co.uk.
