9 minute read
Must-see theatre shows
Horrible Histories: Horrible Christmas
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When Christmas comes under threat from a jolly man dressed in red, it’s up to one young boy to save the day. From Victorian villains to mediaeval monks, puritan parties to Tudor treats, join us on a hair-raising journey through the history of Christmas in the company of Charles Dickens, Oliver Cromwell, King Henry VIII and St Nicholas, as they come together to save the festive season. Get ready to celebrate Christmas in the most wonderful way. When: 27-30 Dec 2022 Where: Barbican Centre Price: from £16.50 – barbican.org.uk
My Christmas Orchestral Adventure
Oh no! Father Christmas has lost his map on a practice run of his delivery route! Thankfully the Royal Albert Hall’s trusty ensemble has found it but they need your help to return it to him ahead of the big day. Zip around the world on an orchestral adventure to track him down. Along the way ice skate on frozen lakes, go on a sleigh ride and enjoy a white Christmas, all without leaving the Royal Albert Hall’s magical auditorium. When: 11 Dec 2022 Where: Royal Albert Hall Price: From £23 – royalalberthall.com
The Smeds and the Smoos
Soar into space with this exciting adaptation of the award-winning book by Julia Donaldson and Axel Scheffl er. On a far-off planet, Smeds and Smoos can’t be friends. So when a young Smed and Smoo fall in love and zoom off into space together, how will their families get them back? When: 5 Dec 2022-2 Jan 2023 Where: Arts Depot Price: from £12 – artsdepot.co.uk
Hey Duggee: The Live Theatre Show
Be part of the hit CBeebies show and join Duggee and the Squirrels in this vibrant interactive production bursting with music, puppets and barrels of laughs. When: 14 Dec-8 Jan 2023 Where: Southbank Centre Price: From £18.50 southbankcentre.co.uk
Santa’s North Pole Adventure
With the most magical night of the year fast approaching, we join Santa and his elves at the North Pole for a seasonal story of fun, laughter and audience participation. When: 14-24 Dec 2022 Where: New Wimbledon Theatre Price: from £17 – atgtickets.com
Christmas Tales
With puppets, singing, dancing and some largerthan-life characters, Christmas Tales is guaranteed to entertain the very youngest of the audience (and grown-ups too!), leaving everyone happy and merry at this most wonderful time of the year! When: 3 Dec-30 Dec 2022 Where: Chickenshed Price: £10 more – chickenshed.org.uk
Sleeping Beauty
After the success of Dick Whittington, Petite Pantos are excited to return to South Norwood with Sleeping Beauty. They’ll be putting their unique spin on this magical fairy tale and making sure it’s full of silly jokes, fantastic songs and lots of joining in. With a professional cast and an ensemble featuring the talented kids from Cherry Stars Performing Arts – you won’t want to miss out on this epic adventure. When: 17 Dec 2022 Where: Stanley Arts Price: £10-£15 – stanleyarts.org
Rapunzel on Ice
Alexandra Palace Ice Rink Amateur Production presents a re-telling of the story of Rapunzel, who has been locked away in a tower since she was captured as a baby by the evil witch. Spending all her days daydreaming about what life could be like on the outside, with the arrival of an unexpected visitor, her dreams may suddenly become a reality. Expect adventure, humour, love and hair… lots of hair. Suitable for ages two and above. When: 5-12 Dec 2022 Where: Alexandra Palace Price: from £13 – alexandrapalace.com
Potted Panto
Seven classic pantomimes in 70 hilarious minutes! The Olivier Award-nominated festive celebration Potted Panto is back for four weeks only. In a madcap ride through the biggest stories and bestloved characters from the wonderful world of pantomime, our dastardly double act dash from rubbing Aladdin’s lamp to roaming the golden streets of Dick Whittington’s London and making sure that Cinderella gets to the Ball. When: 17 Dec-8 Jan 2023 Where: Apollo Theatre Price: from £20 – nimaxtheatres.com
Mother Goose
The mother of all pantomimes is back in Hackney this festive season, starring Clive Rowe as Mother Goose. First created in 1902 for Music Hall legend and Hackney Empire performer Dan Leno, we’re thrilled to be able to celebrate 120 years of this iconic pantomime at the end of our 120th birthday year. When: 19 Nov-31 Dec 2022 Where: Hackney Empire Price: From £25 – hackneyempire.co.uk
The Snowman
Birmingham Rep’s magical stage adaptation of the much-loved picture book by Raymond Briggs CBE and the animated fi lm directed by Dianne Jackson continues to enchant audiences of all ages. The family favourite follows the story of a young boy’s adventures when his snowman comes to life on Christmas Eve. Join them on their magical adventure to the North Pole where they meet a dazzling array of colourful characters including dancing penguins, a beautiful snow princess and Father Christmas himself.
When: Saturday 19 Nov-Sat 31 Dec 2022 Where: Peacock Theatre, WC2 Price: Tickets: £18-£55 – www.sadlerswells.com
Skating Around the Christmas Tree
‘Tis the season to get skating! Get some skates on, grab the kids and have a go on one of London’s iconic ice-rinks. To make your life easy we’ve compiled a handy guide to all the ice-rinks throughout London where you can glide, slip and slide with the kids. Want more festive fun? Follow us on instagram for the latest recommendations.
Hampton Court Palace
Spectacular historical location, festive refreshments and lots of Christmas cheer for West Londoners. The Hampton Court Palace Ice Rink is the perfect spot to take little people ice skating, unwind with friends or go on a romantic date. Skate aids are available and can be prebooked, so there’s a guarantee you will doing more gliding than slipping.
When: 7 Nov 2022-8 Jan 2023 Where: Hampton Court Palace Price: £18.70 for adults and £14.20 for kids.
Canary Wharf
Skate beneath the skyscrapers for 18 magical weeks (the longest duration for a pop-up ice rink in London) and this year they have a roof in place, which they promise to light up with “the shimmering lights of our giant mirror ball”, which means the great British weather won’t spoil the fun. There is also an off -piste bar for those wanting to spectate (or warm up after a skating session). Skate aids are available.
When: 22 Oct-25 Feb 2023 Where: Canada Square Price: £19.95 for adults and £14.95 for kids.
Glide
From the team who brought you the Natural History Museum Ice Rink (which is no more) comes the only riverside ice skating rink in London. The whole area will be buzzing in festive spirit with live entertainment, vintage funfair rides and a variety of food stalls and cabins. Skate aids are available.
When: 11 Nov 2022-8 Jan 2023 Where: Battersea Power Station Price: £12 for adults and £8 for children 12 and under. They also have a toddler and parent ticket for £11.50, which also includes a hot drink.
Somerset House
Think festive London and skating at Somerset House comes to mind. As well as the iconic rink you can expect delicious food and drinks, chalet-style gourmet dining and lots more. Plus, Somerset House is making skating more inclusive with a skate school for kids, chillout sessions and wheelchair user skate sessions. Skate aids are available on a fi rst come fi rst served basis.
When: 16 Nov 2022-15 Jan 2023 Where: Somerset House Price: £15 for adults and £8.50 for kids.
Queen’s House Greenwich
Skate in the centre of an iconic UNESCO World Heritage site with spectacular views of the London skyline and the backdrop of Queen’s House. One of our favourites in London. There are skate aids available too as well as refreshment trucks on site (and you have the whole of Greenwich to explore before or after your skating session.)
When: 17 Nov 2022-8 Jan 2023 Where: Queens House Greenwich Price: from £16 per adult and £10 for a child.
Bluewater Ice Rink
Off ering plenty of fun for guests of all ages, the Ice Rink will be running quiet sessions, as well as parent and toddler sessions for budding skaters. Penguin and seal skating aids will be available for little ones, as well as bob skates to help guests stay steady on the ice.
When: 17 Nov 2022-1 Jan 2023 Where: Bluewater Price: £14.50 for adults and £12.50 for children. £17 for adult and toddler tickets during off -peak hours.
Winter Wonderland Hyde Park
Is it even Christmas in London without a visit to Winter Wonderland? It’s the perfect place for a winter skate in the heart of London and this year they’ve teamed up with Lidl to bring us all Christmas cheer. Set under a canopy of twinkly lights and built around the iconic Victorian bandstand, it’s the perfect way to get in the festive mood. Skate aids are available.
When: 18 Nov 2022-2 Jan 2023 Where: Winter Wonderland, Hyde Park Price: From £10.50 for adults and £7.50 for kids.
Christmas Wonderland Lakeside
Plenty of rides (join Santa in a balloon ride, have a go on the carousels or get dizzy on the snowdome walzer). There will be food options galore and drinks for young and old to be enjoyed in this winter wonderland. The Ice Skating rink promises to be a great way to get the kids moving and there are skate aids and aff ordable prices for off peak days!
When: 18 Nov 2022-2 Jan 2023 Where: Lakeside Christmas Wonderland Price: from £8.50 for adults and 7.50 for kids.
Winter Festival Brent Cross
There’s a whole Winter Festival at Brent Cross and they are hosting one of London’s largest real Ice Rinks so families and their little people across London can enjoy a whole festive day out. Skate aids are free and available on a fi rst come fi rst served basis.
When: 26 Nov 2022-3 Jan 2023 Where: Brent Cross Price: Adults £17 and children £15.
