It’s not Christmas and not using a pantomime (oh no, it’s not!), plus you can even discover some great Christmas theatre in London for teenagers this yr, whether or not you’re on the lookout for conventional reveals, traditional ballet or new family-friendly performances.
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In addition to the same old West Finish hits, there’s at all times an added serving to of theatrical magic to get you within the festive temper, together with choices for toddlers and preschoolers having their first theatre journeys, in addition to for older youngsters and teenagers.
It’s at all times value doublechecking what ages are allowed earlier than you e book: some theatres gained’t settle for kids beneath 5, even for some family-friendly reveals – do take a passport or some type of ID in case your youngsters are 5 plus however look youthful than their age.
2022 pantomimes in London
Jack and the Beanstalk – London Palladium
As ever, there are a string of celebs showing within the 2022 London Palladium pantomime – this yr, it’s Jack and the Beanstalk.
In addition to Daybreak French, Julian Clary and Alexandra Burke, the present has a string of West Finish stars in the important thing roles. Just for kids aged 4+ (parental discretion suggested). Runs from December 1-January 15, 2023.
Jack and the Beanstalk – Lyric Hammersmith
It’s been known as London’s greatest beloved panto, so if you’d like one other probability to see Jack the enormous killer, there’s a second model of Jack and the Beanstalk on the Lyric Hammersmith.
However the traditional story has had a little bit of a Christmas makeover, so in addition to beanstalk climbing, you’ll be able to count on excessive skateboarding, milk explosions and Beyoncé! For aged 6+, from December 2-January 7 2023.
Mom Goose – Hackney Empire
The Hackney Empire at all times has considered one of London’s greatest pantomimes – and this yr’s selection of Mom Goose is marking 120 years of the enduring pantomime on the finish of the theatre’s a hundred and twentieth birthday yr.
Loads of traditional panto enjoyable, with dwell music and lashings of viewers participation. From November 19-December 31.
Mom Goose – Duke of York’s Theatre
There’s a second serving to of Mom Goose too, starring Ian McKellen, John Bishop and Mel Giedroyc on the Duke of York’s Theatre – together with a string of recent updates, which sees Mom Goose working an animal sanctuary inside an deserted Debenhams.
It’s additionally a fantastic possibility if you wish to preserve the Christmas spirit alive nicely into the New 12 months, because the present runs from December 15-January 29, 2023.
Potted Panto – Apollo Theatre
Wish to see a panto however can’t resolve which one? Why not see seven as a substitute, because of Potted Panto on the Apollo Theatre.
A whirlwind sprint by a number of the greatest pantomimes, you’ll go to Dick Whittington’s London, meet the genie in Aladdin’s lamp, and experience within the pumpkin carriage with Cinderella, amongst others. For age 6+, from December 17-January 8, 2023.
For extra nice issues to do for Christmas in London with youngsters, try my high picks
Christmas musicals & ballet in London
Elf the Musical – the Dominion Theatre
The Christmas film favorite is again in musical kind once more this winter, with Elf the Musical on the Dominion Theatre.
Telling the story of Buddy, the newborn raised as an elf, who causes mayhem in Manhattan earlier than serving to to avoid wasting Christmas, it’s the proper upbeat heartwarmer. Ages 5+ solely, runs from November 14-January 7 2023.
It’s a Great Life – London Coliseum
One other traditional Christmas film, It’s a Great Life can be coming to the London Coliseum this winter, with a efficiency from the English Nationwide Opera.
Higher for older youngsters, the story of down-on-his-luck banker George Bailey and his guardian angel has some darker themes earlier than the heart-warming ending, as he’s proven simply what the city of Bedford Falls could be like with out him. From November 25-December 10
The Nutcracker – London Coliseum
It’s merely not Christmas with out the English Nationwide Ballet’s efficiency of the Nutcracker on the London Coliseum.
With over 100 dancers and musicians bringing the magical world of Tchaikovsky’s well-known ballet to life, it’s the last word festive time out for those who’re on the lookout for Christmas theatre in London with youngsters. For age 5+, from December 15-January 8, 2023
The Nutcracker – Royal Albert Corridor
There’s a second probability to see the Nutcracker this Christmas in London with youngsters, with a brief set of performances on the Royal Albert Corridor.
Postponed from Christmas 2021, there are nonetheless tickets obtainable, with performances from December 28-31.
Sleeping Magnificence – Sadler’s Wells
When you’re on the lookout for a ballet to see this Christmas in London with youngsters that’s NOT the Nutcracker, there’s one other serving to of Tchaikovsky at Sadler’s Wells with Sleeping Magnificence.
A decade after its premiere, the gothic twist on the fairytale romance is ideal for older youngsters or teenagers who’ve outgrown sweeter fare, as you enter a world of magical fairies and vampires, the place Princess Aurora’s love story couldn’t be farther from Disney. Runs from November 29-January 15, 2023
The Snowman – Peacock Theatre
One other Christmas traditional, the Snowman is dropped at life as soon as extra on the Peacock Theatre for its twenty fifth London season in 2022.
The stage adaptation of Raymond Briggs’ much-loved e book, there’s a dwell orchestra performing the music accompanying the heart-warming story. In addition to a particular relaxed efficiency on November 30, the present is appropriate for all ages – youngsters aged 2+ require tickets. Runs from November 19-December 31.
Hex – the Nationwide Theatre
Older youngsters will love Hex, a retelling of Sleeping Magnificence on the Nationwide Theatre – in spite of everything, you’re by no means too outdated for fairytales.
Aimed toward age 8+, the musical follows a lonely fairy who longs for somebody to bless… till her try to assist the princess sleep turns blessing into curse, and a 100-year quest to make all the things proper once more. Runs from November 26 to January 14, 2023.
Frozen: the Musical – Theatre Royal Drury Lane
Whereas this hit musical isn’t strictly a Christmas efficiency, transporting your self to the winter wonderland of Arendelle positively ticks the festive containers, with a present that’s a assured hit this Christmas in London with youngsters.
Frozen the Musical is working at Theatre Royal Drury Lane, with tickets obtainable to e book till March 2023. Youngsters beneath 4 is not going to be admitted, really useful for six+.
Christmas theatre in London with youngsters
A Christmas Carol – the Previous Vic
Discover the ghosts of Christmas previous, current and future at this new retelling of Dickens’ Christmas traditional, A Christmas Carol.
The brand new model on the Previous Vic from Jack Thorne, one of many magical writers behind Harry Potter and the Cursed Little one, is designed to immerse the viewers, relatively than merely watching Scrooge from afar. Aimed toward Age 8+. Runs from November 12-January7, 2023, together with a relaxed efficiency on December 10.
For one more very completely different tackle the story, Dolly Parton’s Smoky Mountain Christmas Carol offers Dickens a Tennessee twist on the Queen Elizabeth Corridor, from December 8-January 8
The Fir Tree – the Globe Theatre
One other pretty reimagining of a fairytale, The Fir Tree at Shakespeare’s Globe brings Hans Christian Andersen’s festive story again to the South Financial institution for a second yr.
Because the little Fir Tree turns into interested by a world outdoors the forest, craving for journey, the Globe is remodeled right into a magical woodland, with pleasant cardboard puppets (and also you’re inspired to convey your individual too), carol singing, tree adorning and sizzling drinks beneath a starlit sky. Runs from December 15-31.
Stick Man – Leicester Sq. Theatre
A stunning possibility for Christmas theatre in London with younger youngsters, Stick Man on the Leicester Sq. Theatre is appropriate for all ages.
The variation of Julia Donaldson and Axel Scheffler’s much-loved e book, it’s an ideal introduction for the youngest theatregoers who’ll already know the story of Stick Man’s misadventures as he strives to flee peril and make it again to the household tree – informed with puppetry, songs and dwell music. Runs from October 22-January 2, 2023
Horrible Histories: Horrible Christmas – Barbican Corridor
A deliciously humorous various to all issues merry and shiny, Horrible Histories takes on the festive season with Horrible Christmas on the Barbican Corridor.
With Puritan events, Tudor treats, Victorian villains and extra, it’s the one present bringing collectively Charles Dickens, Oliver Cromwell, Henry VIII and St Nicholas to avoid wasting Christmas. Runs in London from December 27-30.
Extra 2022 Christmas reveals in London
Circus 1903
For a Christmas present with a distinction, the favored turn-of-the-century Circus 1903 has a brand new house in Hammersmith celebrating the Golden Age of Circus, with puppetry in addition to the same old circus thrills.
Whereas its house on the Eventim Apollo is perhaps completely different – previous years have seen performances on the South Financial institution – the leisure is as great as ever, together with elephants within the ring courtesy of the award-winning crew behind Battle Horse, and acts from all throughout the globe. From December 15-January 1, 2023, for aged 3+ solely.
Rapunzel on Ice – Alexandra Palace
Disney on Ice takes on Rapunzel this December at Alexandra Palace, transporting the traditional fairytale to the ice, plus a panto-style replace – to not point out loads of jokes and many hair.
That includes home-grown expertise in addition to professionals, it’s appropriate for ages 2+. Runs from December 9-12.
Image Excellent Christmas Present – Nationwide Gallery
Step right into a magical world impressed by a seventeenth century portray, to find the key life dwelling inside artwork on the the Nationwide Gallery’s Image Excellent Christmas Present.
Count on songs, dancing and many festive cheer alongside the way in which, as two kids meet a string of woodland creatures in an try to avoid wasting Christmas. Chosen dates from November 26 to December 23 on the Nationwide Gallery theatre.
For extra tips about one of the best issues to do for Christmas in London with youngsters, try my high picks
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