Panto season is upon us (oh yes it is.) From fairytales to classic stories there's plenty of festive family fun across north London. We round up the ones to watch.
Directed by Kaveh Rahnama who helmed last year's A Christmas Circus Fairytale, this contemporary adaptation embeds circus skills and puppetry into the tale of Jackie, whose family live in the shadow of a terrifying giant in the sky. She conquers her fear to go in search of the truth, but what will she find at the top of the beanstalk? December 14-January 1.
https://www.jacksonslane.org.uk/events/jack-and-the-beanstalk/
Christmas at the Muswell Hill landmark is always a highlight, and Sean Holmes' acclaimed stage show of the 1975 musical movie is no exception. A cast of talented kids transport audiences to prohibition era America as wise guy Bugsy tries to win the heart of Blousie Brown while dodging the splurge guns of rival gangsters Fat Sam and Dandy Dan. December 3-January 15.
https://www.alexandrapalace.com/whats-on/bugsy-malone-the-musical/
Three Christmases after confronting arch nemesis Moriarty at the Reichenbach Falls, Sherlock Holmes (Ben Caplan) has little appetite for solving crimes. Wandering through Victorian London, he meets a grown-up Tiny Tim who implores him to investigate the mysterious death of his benefactor Ebenezer Scrooge. On a dark Christmas Eve, haunted by the spirits of past present and future, the great detective goes hunting for a murderer and a missing diamond in a case which collides the worlds of Dickens and Conan Doyle. UK premiere of a clever crowd-pleaser a stone's throw from the fictional 221B Baker Street. November 18- January 7.
https://www.demproductions.co.uk/a-sherlock-carol
Summer in the City, Upstairs at the Gatehouse, Highgate
While not thematically a Christmas show, this toe-tapping sixties jukebox musical continues the venue's tradition of staging upbeat festive entertainment. Set in a Carnaby Street coffee bar, it follows six groovy characters, including a singing traffic warden and a former GI. Accompanied by live five-piece band, they conjure swinging London with songs Downtown, Will You Love Me Tomorrow, The Shoop Shoop Song, and I’m a Believer. December 14-January 15.
https://www.upstairsatthegatehouse.com/summer-in-the-city
Charles Court Opera move their madcap boutique pantos from their usual residency at The King's Head. This irreverent, wacky reimagining turns the Brothers' Grimm's morality tale upside down and asks whether the baddie is as bad as all that. Written and directed by CCO regular John Savournin, with David Easton's original songs performed by top notch singers, there are both naughty, raucous adult performances, and cleaned up, cheeky family matinees. December 13-January 14.
https://parktheatre.co.uk/whats-on/rumpelstiltskin
Superfan Richard Marsh's one man retelling of Christmas action movie Die Hard - in verse - combines his own love story with comic flair. A hit at this year's Edinburgh Fringe. November 29-December 31.
https://kingsheadtheatre.com/whats-on/yippee-ki-yay
Harry's Christmas, King's Head, Islington
One for adults who loathe the forced jollity of the season, this searing dark comedy is a portrait of loneliness and isolation as Harry sits alone waiting for people to call. Exploring despair and societal hipocrisy of Christmas, it's in aid of CALM (Campaign Against Living Miserably) December 6-24.
https://kingsheadtheatre.com/whats-on/harrys-christmas
Deck the Stalls, Hope Theatre:
From terrible Karaoke, to a bristling HR rep, Serena's office Christmas party is a night of forced fun and tragedy in Lydia Brickland's blistering alternative festive drama. No wonder she's locked herself in the loos. December 18 and 19.
https://www.thehopetheatre.com/productions/deck-the-stalls/
Mother Goose, Hackney Empire:
It's 120 years since the "mother of all pantos" was first performed and London's favourite panto stars Empire regular Clive Rowe as the Dame - doubling up as director. Expect singalongs, eye-popping costumes and choreography, and sweeties chucked into an appreciative crowd. November 19 - December 31.
It's Christmas eve on the farm and the animals are fast asleep. Inside the fire is roaring and a steaming pudding is left out. If only Charlie and her dad who have moved to the farm from the city had paid attention to the mysterious note left on their windowsill about a curious pixie and the pudding she likes to eat on Christmas Eve. With puppets by Lyndie Wright, and script, music and lyrics by Barb Yungr, this magical musical draws on Scandinavian folklore for ages 4-11. November 18 - January 29 at Little Angel Studios. Also Little Angel’s acclaimed adaptation of Michael Rosen’s We're Going On a Bear Hunt for ages 3-8 runs until January 29.
https://www.littleangeltheatre.com/
My Neighbour Totoro, The Barbican
Hit stage adaptation of Studio Ghibli's much loved animation continues to weave the surreal magic of the Japanese cartoon with beautiful music by Joe Hisaishi, telling a story of two girls and their father who move to the country when their mum falls sick and befriend a woodland spirit.
https://www.barbican.org.uk/whats-on/2022/event/royal-shakespeare-company-my-neighbour-totoro
The Smeds and The Smoos, Arts Depot East Finchley.
Tall Stories, the people who brought you adaptations of the Gruffalo and Room on the Broom, once again bring Julia Donaldson's delightful children's books to the stage. This time the joyful tale of starcrossed aliens who zoom off into space together. December 5 to Jan 2.
https://www.artsdepot.co.uk/family-christmas/smeds-and-smoos
Making a welcome return after premiering 10 years ago Matthew Bourne's Edwardian-set gothic dance fable with magical fairies, vampires and a timeless supernatural love story. November 29 to January 15.
https://www.sadlerswells.com/whats-on/
Improvised Panto, Canal Cafe Theatre, Little Venice
Regular team of quick thinking comics do what they do best. December 15-17.
https://canalcafetheatre.com/our-shows/the-improvised-panto/
The Wind in the Wiltons, Wiltons Music Hall
The world premiere of children's author Piers Torday's modern adaptation is enhanced by the unique atmosphere of a Victorian music hall. Kenneth Grahame's charming, playful adventures of Ratty, Mole, Badger, Toad and some money grubbing weasels, are told with songs, puppetry, and a sprinkling of climate issues as they venture from Hyde Park to Toad Hall. November 24 until December 31.
The Wizard of Oz, Hoxton Hall
Another Victorian music hall and an 'affordable family panto' that follows Dorothy, Toto and her friends vying to meet the Wonderul Wizard, and sprinkles it with panto sparkle. Cheer on the goodies, boo the wicked witch, with tickets just £13.50 for children and £15.50 for adults. December 16-24.
An unusual festive offering brings art and theatre together as Boo productions bring Dutch master Avercamp's 17th century painting A Winter Scene With Skaters near a Castle to life. The family show with song and dance beckons audiences into the secret life within a painting to meet Frederick and Maaike on their journey through frosted landscapes full of magical creatures. November 26- December 23.
https://www.nationalgallery.org.uk/whats-on/picture-perfect-christmas
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