Christmas 2018: The Upcoming’s top Christmas shows for the festive season

You’ll be walking in a winter wonderland this Christmas if you follow The Upcoming’s guide to London’s festive theatre fun!

Dick Whittington at the Lyric Hammersmith

Photo: Tristram Kenton

If you’re looking for an alternative take on the Christmas tradition then the head over to Hammersmith, where Lyric regular Jude Christian and Griefcast’s Cariad Lloyd are celebrating the theatre’s tenth panto-versary with their take on Dick Whittington. The Upcoming was a big fan, giving the production 5 stars!

Dick Whittington is at the Lyric Hammersmith from 17^th November 2018 until 6^th January 2019. Book your tickets here.

A Christmas Carol at the Old Vic Theatre

Photo: Manuel Harlan

So successful was Harry Potter and the Cursed Child scribe Jack Thorne’s version A Christmas Carol last year that the Old Vic have brought it back again, only with Stephen Tompkinson Scrooging it up instead of Rhys Ifans.

A Christmas Carol is at the Old Vic Theatre from 24^th November 2018 until 19^th January 2019. Book your tickets here. Read our review here.

The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time at Piccadilly Theatre

Simon Stephens and Marianne Elliott’s all-conquering Curious Incident has returned to the capital, on at the Piccadilly Theatre for a limited engagement until next spring. Who knows when it’ll be back again, so don’t miss your chance to catch this modern classic.

The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time is at Piccadilly Theatre from 29^th November 2018 until 27^th April 2019. Book your tickets here.

Aladdin at Hackney Empire

Photo: Robert Workman

The Hackney Empire is celebrating its 20^th year of panto fun. Oh no it isn’t! Oh yes it is! Better yet, great dame Clive Rowe is back after departing for the New Wimbledon Theatre last year. The Olivier award-winner’s Widow Twanky is joined by Gemma Sutton’s Aladdin, Kat B’s Genie and Tameka Empson’s Empress.

Aladdin is at Hackney Empire from 2^nd December 2018 until 6^th January 2019. For further information or to book visit the theatre’s website here. Read our review here.

The Nutcracker at the Royal Opera House

Photo: Karolina Kuras

This ballet is almost as part of the Christmas theatre landscape as a panto, and the Royal Opera House have an inevitably classy version of Tchaikovsky’s The Nutcracker for your viewing pleasure. Go and have a dance with the sugar plum fairies!

The Nutcracker is at the Royal Opera House from 3^rd December 2018 until 15^th January 2019. For further information or to book visit the theatre’s website here.

The Tell-Tale Heart at the National Theatre

Sick of Christmas already? Then the National Theatre might be your best bet. In lieu of a big blowout show is Anthony Neilson’s adaptation of Edgar Allan Poe’s The Tell-Tale Heart, a “twisted, graphic and darkly-comic treat” starring David Carlyle, Imogen Doel and Tamara Lawrance.

The Tell-Tale Heart is at the National Theatre from 5^th December 2018 until 9^th January 2019. For further information or to book visit the theatre’s website here.

Awful Auntie at the Bloomsbury Theatre

Photo: Mark Douet

Adaptations of David Walliams’s mega-successful children’s books have become something of a Christmas tradition in and of themselves. Theatre-wise, this year there’s the West End premiere of Awful Auntie, from the same team that produced Gangsta Granny back in 2016.

Awful Auntie is at the Bloomsbury Theatre from 12^th December 2018 until 6^th January 2019. For further information or to book visit the theatre’s website here.

Snow White at the London Palladium

Panto is inescapable at Christmastime, so why fight it? The biggest is undoubtedly Snow White at London’s massive Palladium, with Wicked Witch Dawn French joining last season’s pantomime pals Charlie Stemp, Julian Clary, Paul Zerdin, Nigel Havers and Gary Wilmot.

Snow White is at the London Palladium from 8^th December 2018 until 13^th January 2019. Book your tickets here.

Rumpelstiltskin at the Southbank Centre

Though not explicitly Christmassy, the Southbank Centre’s Rumpelstiltskin certainly sounds intriguing, promising “visually stunning costumes, a ‘hyper-modern set’ and ‘large-than-life characters’”. Australian singer and cabaret legend Paul Capsis stars as the mischievous imp.

Rumpelstiltskin is at the Southbank Centre from 13^th December 2018 until 6^th January 2019. Book your tickets here.

Nativity! the Musical at Eventim Apollo

Fancy a double dose of the Dyers? Well head down to Hammersmith Apollo, where Nativity! The Musical returns with father and daughter duo Danny and Dani – only in London – alongside regular touring cast members Simon Lipkin, Scott Garnham and Ashleigh Gray.

Nativity! The Musical is at Hammersmith Apollo from 19^th until 31^st December 2018. Book your tickets here.

Connor Campbell