The Christmas lights might look magical, but it’s way too cold to be outside this time of year, so why not book a ticket and get warm inside a theatre?
Here are TBB’s recommendations for festive theatre to watch this December…
Red Riding Hood @ Theatre Royal Stratford East
Starring Raphael Bushay as Wolf and Elise Zavou as Red Riding Hood, this year’s Theatre Royal Stratford East panto turns the classic story of Red Riding Hood on its head, making its themes relevant to its local community and beyond. Expect the Stratford panto’s signature blend of show-stopping new songs, thigh-slapping gags, breath-taking sets and costumes with a guarantee for a brilliant night out for young and old alike!
Red Riding Hood plays at Theatre Royal Stratford East from Saturday 27th November to Friday 31st December.
Book tickets and find out more here.
Hex @ The National Theatre
Starring a plethora of Black British talent, including Delroy Atkinson, Esme Bacalla-Hayes, Madeline Charlemagne, Ebony Clarke, Hanna Dimtsu, Michael Elcock, Kody Mortimer and Shaq Taylor, Hex is a musical retelling of Sleeping Beauty from the perspective of the bad fairy. One day, Hex is summoned to the palace to help the princess sleep, but her dream turns into a nightmare and her blessing becomes a curse. Soon, she is plunged into a frantic, hundred-year quest to somehow make everything right. Hex is recommended for audiences 8 years and above.
Hex plays at the National Theatre from Saturday 4th December to Saturday 22nd January.
Book tickets and find out more here.
A Christmas Carol @ The Old Vic
Starring Bridgette Amofah as Mrs Cratchit and Rachel John as the Ghost of Christmas Present/ Mrs Fezziwig, Jack Thorne’s adaptation of A Christmas Carol returns to The Old Vic this December. The show fills the auditorium to the brim with music and merriment, while a unique staging immerses the audience in this uplifting story.
A Christmas Carol plays at The Old Vic from Saturday 13th November to Saturday 8th January.
Book tickets and find out more here.
The Bolds @ The Unicorn Theatre
Starring Amanda Gordon as Mrs Bold, Mae Munuo as Betty Bold and Charity Bedu-Addo as Minnie, Julian Clary brings an adaptation of his children’s book The Bolds to the Unicorn Theatre this December. While the Bolds might seem ordinary – they live in an ordinary house in an ordinary street and they love to laugh – they have one slight difference… They’re hyenas! The Bolds follows the family as they navigate school, work and friends, all whilst trying to keep up their disguise. With live music, songs and adventures, this brand new Christmas show revel’s in the joy of being anything but ordinary. This show is for everyone aged 6+.
The Bolds plays at The Unicorn Theatre from Sunday 14th November to Friday 31st December.
Book tickets and find out more here.
The Wiz @ Hope Mill Theatre
The first new UK production of The Wiz: The Super Soul Musical “Wonderful Wizard of Oz” in 10 years, Hope Mill Theatre’s production features an entirely Black cast including Cherelle Williams as Dorothy, Tarik Frimpong as Scarecrow, Llewellyn Graham as Tin Man, Jonathan Andre as Lion, Cameron Bernard Jones as The Wiz, Aneliisa Lamola as Addaperle, Bree Smith as Aunt Em and Glinda, Kofi Dennis as Lord High, Ashh Blackwood as Evillene, and Andile Mabhena, Shayna McPherson, Dylan Gordon-Jones, Samantha Shuma and Marisha Morgan as ensemble. Director Matthew Xia says that this production offers “a contemporary take on the discovery of self-determination and Black joy…across the African diaspora.”
The Wiz plays at the Hope Mill Theatre from Wednesday 24th November to Sunday 16th January.
Book tickets and find out more here.
Aladdin @ Lyric Hammersmith
Starring Stephan Boyce as Dave Twankey, Ellena Vincent as Jasmine and Caroline Adebayo and Carla-Jean Lares as Ensemble, Lyric Hammersmith’s production of Aladdin is a festive family adventure that follows Aladdin on his quest to seek his fortune and find true love. Expect the usual Lyric twist on all of your favourite characters as well as live music, magic lamps and plenty of laughs.
Aladdin plays at the Lyric Hammersmith from Friday 19th November to Sunday 2nd January.
Book tickets and find out more here.
The Fir Tree @ The Globe Theatre
Starring Anna Crichlow and musician Natalie Lindi, this December, the Globe Theatre will be staging a magical re-imagining of Hand Christian Andersen’s fairy tale The Fir Tree adapted by Hannah Khalil. Let imaginations run wild as the Globe transforms into a forest, take part in carol-singing and tree-decorating, and keep cosy with a hot chocolate or mulled wine under the wintry star-lit sky. This retelling reminds us that we can all make a difference in taking care of our planet.
The Fir Tree runs at The Globe Theatre from Monday 20th to Thursday 30th December.
Book tickets and find out more here.
The Wonderful @ Theatre Peckham
Staring Ray Emmet Brown as The Wonderful, Ashleigh-Mae Schoburgh-Crooks as Efe, Tarisha Rommick as Aygum and Khariis Ubiaro as Mane Man, The Wonderful is a retelling of The Wizard of Oz with a twist. A spectacular storm sweeps Efe and her dog TikTok off Peckham Road into the magical African land of Ozanda where the Scarecrow is a Mannequin, the Tin Man is a Cyborg and the Lion is the Mane Man. Pull on your favourite kicks and ease on down Theatre Peckham’s Golden Pathway for a wondrous adventure this Christmas. Suitable for all ages.
The Wonderful plays at Theatre Peckham from Wednesday 1st to Wednesday 22nd December.
Book tickets and find out more here.