A Christmas Carol – The Old Vic
12 November 2022-07 January 2023
(Credit: The Old Vic)
There’s no shortage of Dickens adaptations in London this year, from the adults-only Ghosted – Another F**king Christmas Carol at The Other Palace to Dolly Parton’s Smoky Mountain at the Queen Elizabeth Hall. But Christmas theatre fans searching for a more traditional Scrooge-filled experience could do far worse than Jack Thorne’s A Christmas Carol at the Old Vic. Starring Owen Teale as everyone’s favourite miser, Matthew Warchus’ adaptation of the Victorian classic throws mince pies, music and merriment into the mix for the quintessential Christmas experience for the whole family.
1 December-31 December 2022
(Credit: Manuel Harlan)
For those looking for an economical panto treat for young theatregoers, Hackney Empire’s annual Christmas classic is more than worth the price of admission. The mother of all pantomimes sees a golden egg-laying goose bring fortune and adventure to the Olivier-winning Clive Rowe, starring in his 15th consecutive panto at the Hackney Empire. With sign-language interpreted performances on the 3rd and 15th of December and a dementia-friendly, relaxed show on the 3rd, it’s the perfect festive night out for anyone.
26 November 2022 – 14 January 2023
(Credit: National Theatre)
Returning triumphantly after a Covid-decimated preview run last year, The National’s big Christmas theatre show of 2022 takes the children’s classic and gives it a crowd-pleasing musical spin. If you love classic fairy stories, but can’t be dealing with all the “he’s behind you” nonsense, this might be just the ticket.
Potted Panto – Apollo Theatre
17 December 2022 – 8 January 2023
Can’t decide on a show to see this year? Why not go for seven at once? This riotously festive outing from the ‘Potted’ team brings the Olivier-nominated production back for a four-week run, combining Cinderella, Alladin, Dick Wittington and more into a seventy-minute gag-fest that won’t outstay its welcome.
Elf: The Musical – Dominion Theatre
14 November 2022 – 7 January 2023
(credit: Perou)
With Will Ferrell lighting up screens in last month’s Spirited, why not go back to the role that catapulted him to festive stardom with the Dominion’s musical spin on John Favreau’s Elf. When the infant ‘Buddy’ crawls into Santa’s sack and is raised as a particularly gangly elf, he’ll have a hell of a time fitting back into the human world in what the Times called “the Christmas cake of musicals.”
It might not be strictly a Christmas show, but Disney’s musical behemoth has enough wintery fun to keep the long nights at bay into February and beyond. When their kingdom becomes trapped in a perpetual winter, Anna, Kristoff and everyone’s favourite reindeer, Sven, must join forces to break the Snow Queen’s icy spell. With award-nominated special effects and all your favourite tunes from the film, Frozen is a festive treat you can enjoy all year round.
