Christmas Treats to Book Now (Part 2)

We have already rounded up the ‘big’ theatre tickets for the season but part of the fun of Christmas is seeing festive productions popping up in smaller, often less commercial, venues. The team at dandelion.london have come up with some more ‘local’ ideas for theatrical outings. Plus some picture book adaptations that are making their appearance in the West End!

Puppet Magic

The tiny Little Angel Theatre in Islington is one of our favourite theatres in London. They have two Christmas shows. Very little ones are in for a treat with a delightful re-telling of Me!, Emma’s Dodd’s picture book about a baby penguin finding his feet, from 15 Nov–25 Jan. Ages 2–5. Over in their studio space, children of 4–8 will be enchanted by The Storm Whale, an adaptation of Benji Davies’ story about friendship and courage on the high seas. Tickets for both shows are £17 adults, £15 children.

The Well Walk Theatre in Hampstead is a new discovery for us. Located almost opposite Keats House, it feels as if it has walked off the pages of a magical story. There is a delightful shop and café (selling scrumptious madeleines) with a miniscule theatre. Shows sell out quickly. There are still a few tickets left for their Christmas production, Petit Pierre and the Stolen Moon 29 Nov–21 Dec. Tickets: £15. 

The Puppet Theatre Barge is moored in Little Venice for the winter months. Their popular production of Pinocchio is back from 6 Dec–18 Jan, suitable for ages 4–10. Tickets: £15 adults, £12 children. 

Picture book adaptations in the West End

If you want to go into town with littles for a Christmas treat, a number of West End theatres run children’s shows alongside their main productions in the daytime.  

The Gruffalo’s Child is at the Lyric, Shaftesbury Avenue from 28 Nov–11 Jan (tickets from £10); Stick Man Live is at the Bloomsbury Theatre from 4 Dec–4 Jan (tickets: £24–£26 adults, £17.50–£19.50 children); and Father Christmas Needs a Wee! is back at the Arts Theatre from 6–24 Dec (tickets: £26). 

Local Theatres

North

Jackson’s Lane celebrates 50 years of providing culture (and circus) to north London this year. Their production of Christmas Comes to Moominvalley is back for a second run, 5 Dec–4 Jan, after its successful debut last year. Suitable for ages 3+, tickets are from £12–£26. 

Slightly further up the Finchley Road, artsdepot have two Christmas shows. The Tiger Who Came to Tea runs from 3 Dec–4 Jan. Suitable for ages 3+, tickets start at £15. Or, for a more overtly Christmassy treat, The Night Before Christmas is for children aged 3–7 with festive puppets and sparkle inspired by the popular poem. 8–31 Dec. Tickets from £13.75. 

The Honourable Member for Islington North, Mr Jeremy Corbin MP, is the Wizard of Ozlington in Wicked Witches, a panto mash up of The Wizard of Oz at the Pleasance from 21 Nov–28 Dec. Make sure you book the matinée performances, suitable for ages 5+. An adults-only version runs in the evenings. Tickets from £10. 

West

The Lyric Hammersmith’s main Christmas draw may be its popular panto (covered in our first round up) but little ones have been flocking to the studio production of Raymond Briggs’ Father Christmas for over ten years. A grumpy Santa, lovely wooden animal puppets, a brightly painted set and even a bit of toilet humour, what’s not to like? 19 Nov–27 Dec. For ages 0–5. Tickets: £14–£22.

It is old school, traditional panto in the gorgeously old fashioned Richmond Theatre. This year Cinderella is joined by her fairy godmother, Buttons and… Basil Brush? 6 Dec–4 Jan. Tickets from £15.

Round the corner at the Orange Tree Theatre, it is only a short run for Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland. From 18–22 Dec, the OT Young Company will present a new version of the Lewis Carroll classic from Chinonyerem Odimba. Last year’s Treasure Island from the same company was a total delight. Suitable for age 7+. Tickets from £15.

South

Production company Wild Rumpus are back at Battersea Arts Centre this year with A Merry Misrule from 29 Nov–24 Dec. Join the ‘revolutionary rabbit’ on a immersive, promenade performance to bring harmony back to the holidays. Ages 3+. Tickets: £18.50 adults, £16.50 U16s,

Wimbledon’s fabulous Polka Theatre made it onto our main Christmas theatre list so refer to that for details. At the New Wimbledon Theatre, Britain’s Got Talent sensation Diversity join the panto cast of Robin Hood from 6 Dec–4 Jan. Tickets from £15. 

The Rose Theatre Kingston has a new version of Cinderella. With catchy songs and a strong cast, combining a young cast with West End actors, if you are looking for fresh twist on an old favourite, this might fit the bill. Have a look at the first rehearsal online here. It’s definitely on our list. 26 Nov–4 Jan. Ages 5+. Tickets from £15. 

East

Seven pantos in an hour and twenty minutes? It’s got to be Potted Panto, back at Wilton’s Music Hall from 4 Dec–4 Jan. Tickets: £15–£33 adults, £12.50–£30.50 concs. Age 6+.

Soho Theatre Walthamstow opened earlier this year, a restoration of a former Granada cinema. There are two family shows in the 960 seater main auditorium over the festive season. First up, Showstopper! The Christmas Kids Show – a festive improv that takes ideas for musical adventures from junior audience members. 6–14 Dec, ages 4+, tickets from £10. This is followed by David McKee’s much-loved patchwork elephant, who strolls in from 20 Dec–4 Jan in The Elmer Adventure. Suitable for ages 3+, tickets are from £12.

There is proud local panto tradition at Greenwich Theatre and this year it is Peter Pan. We have seen previous iterations here and they are recommended; expensive though. 28 Nov­–11 Jan. Tickets: £42 adults, £20 children.

Festive Screenings

Big screen family films with a live orchestra are a Christmas highlight at Chelsea’s Cadogan Hall. This year it is a triple bill of The Snowman, the Gruffalo and the Gruffalo’s Child in Concert on 20 Dec. Tickets from £20–£36.  

Backyard Cinema is turning a Victorian warehouse near London Bridge into an Enchanted Forest for Christmas at Backyard Cinema from 26 Nov–31 Dec. Family screenings include The Grinch that Stole Christmas, The Muppet Christmas Carol, Home Alone, Elf et al. Tickets: £26.50 adults, £17.50 children.

The Rivoli Ballroom in Brockley is hosting a Christmas pop up cinema in its 1950s ballroom, showing classics including Home Alone, Elf and Love Actually on 20–22 Dec. Tickets: £10 adults, £6 children.

For more ideas of inspiring things to do with families in London, visit dandelion.london or follow them on Insta @dandelion.london