Top Christmas theatre shows to see in London in 2018
It is that time of year again, as Christmas rolls around, a whole new wave of great theatre comes into town. From classic Christmas stories to traditional British pantomime, London is chock-full of brilliant theatre for the festive season. Here's our pick of the best Christmas theatre in London this year.
Snow White
There is a great tradition of pantomime at the London Palladium, dating back to 1948. It returned with a bang in 2016 after an almost 30-year hiatus. This year's spectacular will star comedian Dawn French in her panto debut, alongside West End favourite Charlie Stemp and Danielle Hope, with Palladium regulars Paul Zerdin, Julian Clary, Nigel Havers and Gary Wilmot. It's glitzy, it's loud, and it's not to be missed.
Snow White tickets are available now.
A Christmas Carol
Last year, Jack Thorne's adaptation of Dickens' classic Christmas story enchanted the Old Vic as the Ghosts of Christmases Past, Present and Future called in on Ebenezer Scrooge. Matthew Warchus' magical production transformed the auditorium into a snowy winter wonderland, and it returns to the theatre this year, starring Steve Tompkinson as Scrooge.
A Christmas Carol tickets are available now.
A Christmas Carol with Simon Callow
For a more traditional telling of the story, Simon Callow's version of Dickens' story returns to London. Based on the adaptation Dickens used for his own public performances of the play, Callow presents a heart-warming one-man performance of the play.
For even more Christmas Caroling, London Musical Theatre Orchestra will present a concert version of the story at the Lyceum Theatre on 10th December.
A Christmas Carol with Simon Callow tickets are available now.
The Snowman
Raymond Briggs' classic novel returns to the stage for a 16th year in London. Telling the festive tale of a young boy whose snowman springs into life for a Christmas Eve adventure, the stage such features a live band performing a score which includes "We're Walking In The Air". An enchanting production that really has stood the test of time, The Snowman is great fun for all the family.
The Snowman tickets are available now.
Matthew Bourne's Swan Lake
Matthew Bourne's New Adventures brings its internationally-renowned production of Swan Lake to London for Christmas. Having premiered at Sadler's Wells in November 1995, Bourne's production returns to the theatre as part of its UK tour. Twirling its way through Tchaikovsky's score, the Olivier and Tony Award-winning show will bring a dose of dance to your Christmas.
Matthew Bourne's Swan Lake tickets are available now.
Nativity the Musical
Father-daughter team Danny and Dani Dyer star in the return of Debbie Isitt's musical adaptation of her film Nativity! to the Eventim Apollo. The story sees a school teacher and his assistant putting together a musical version of the nativity story with the promise that it will be adapted into a big Hollywood film. Also starring Jo Brand in the role of The Critic, Simon Lipkin reprises his role as Mr Poppy in the show.
Nativity the Musical tickets are available now.
Horrible Christmas
From the team that gave us the Horrible Histories books, TV show and several great stage shows, Horrible Christmas will run at the newly-reopened theatre at Alexandra Palace this December. As Christmas comes under threat, one young boy travels through the ages learning about festive traditions and quirks on his way as he gathers a gang to help save the season.
Horrible Christmas tickets are available now.
Circus 1903
With genius puppetry from the team behind War Horse, the thrilling evening of entertainment Circus 1903 gets its European premiere at the Southbank Centre this Christmas. With a huge cast of contortionists, acrobats, jugglers and performers, alongside life-sized elephant puppets, Circus 1903 is one joyous spectacle in town for just three weeks.
Circus 1903 tickets are available now.
The Box of Delights
Piers Torday's play is based on the novel by John Masefield, which is about sees a young boarding school student who gets his hands on a magical box which gives whoever is in possession of it the ability to shrink, fly, and go back in time. This production stars Matthew Kelly as both magician Abner Brown and Cole Hawlings, as well as Josefina Gabrielle who starred in Chicago earlier this year.
The Box of Delights tickets are available now.
The Messiah
Hugh Dennis, Lesley Garrett and John Marquez star in this Biblical comedy at The Other Palace. A travelling troupe of actors an opera singer travels across ancient London by camel, on a quest to tell the story of the Nativity.
The Messiah tickets are available now.
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