There’s no shortage of festive favourites on London’s stages this winter. Sam Rogg reveals some of the world’s best-loved stories which are back in the spotlight.
At The Old Vic, A Christmas Carol returns for its 10th consecutive year (10 Nov-9 Jan), with Matthew Warchus’ timeless production of Charles Dickens’ classic, adapted for the stage by Jack Thorne (Harry Potter and the Cursed Child) and starring Giles Terera (Hamilton) as Ebenezer Scrooge. First published in 1843, at a time when the capital was changing rapidly, the story helped shape the way future generations celebrate the season, highlighting the importance of generosity, charity and spending time with family. Warchus’ production captures that enduring holiday spirit with plenty of festive cheer, filling the auditorium with music, merriment and mince pies.
Meanwhile, at the Globe Theatre, Pinocchio (28 Nov-3 Jan) returns for the second year running. This lively musical adaptation follows Geppetto as he carves a wooden puppet and sets off with Pinocchio on an adventure to find family and discover what it truly means to be human. Featuring live music, heartwarming humour and a generous helping of silliness, this highly imaginative take on Carlo Collodi’s immortal classic is designed for audiences aged five and over.
For a quintessentially British Christmas tradition, head to The London Palladium for total panto-monium as Cinderella prepares to head to the ball (5 Dec-10 Jan). Pantomime has been entertaining audiences since the 16th century, giving familiar tales a mischievous mix of humour, music and mayhem. This year, comedy legends Dawn French and Jennifer Saunders star as the Ugly Sisters, reuniting on the West End stage for the first time in 17 years, alongside Julian Clary as the Fairy Godfather.
And finally, if you prefer your fairy tales with less panto and a little more Prokofiev, don’t miss Matthew Bourne’s Cinderella, which returns to Sadler’s Wells for its 30th anniversary (1 Dec-17 Jan). Set during World War II, this celebrated dance adaptation follows Cinderella and a dashing RAF pilot as their romance unfolds against the backdrop of the Blitz. With his distinctive blend of cinematic storytelling and genre-bending dance, Bourne’s productions have become a festive London tradition in their own right.
