The Christmas season brings with it one of Britain’s greatest (and unique) art forms: pantomime. With a hiss of ladies and best boys, princesses, handsome princes and dastardly villains, a good panto is a must to raise the festive spirits. Following our pick of shows to book for kids, we have recommendations for London pantos: three Jack and the Beanstalk, three Cinderellas, two Aladdins and, er, the Odyssey – for fun…
Jack and the Beanstalk at the London Palladium
The biggest and most spectacular of the capital’s pantos returns to the Palladium for an eighth year. It is once again directed by Julian Clary, who was born for this show and here he plays the sailor Smee (chuckle). An inspiring cast includes Jennifer Saunders as Captain Hook, alongside Nigel Havers, Louis Gaunt and, of course, the great Gary Wilmot as the Dame. This show prides itself on sparing no expense on sets and costumes, creating a jaw-dropping spectacle.
From December 9 to January 14; palladiumpantomime.com
Aladdin in Hackney Empire
The Hackney panto is one of the great annual East London traditions. The second year is directed by and stars the wonderful Clive Rowe (the only actor nominated for Olivier’s role as Dame), who plays Widow Twankey next month. Starring Natasha Lewis as Abby-na-zaar, Fred Double as Aladdin and Ruth Lynch as the Spirit of the Rings, the series promises incredible costumes, uncontrollable laughter and song and dance numbers that are nothing short of “genie”. It does. .
Until December 31; buy tickets Here
Cinderella in Lyric Hammersmith
Get ready to throw a ball in West London, courtesy of award-winning panto writer and composer Vikki Stone. It brings Cinders (played by Tilly La Belle Yengo) to the present day, where she is a “well-intentioned boss-lady” running her own business at Shepherd’s Bush Market. There she meets the dashing Prince Henry, who is disguised and on the run from the father, but of course there are a few obstacles on the way to true love, including Cinderella’s stepmother and stepsisters who are determined to derail the match. . Fun, silly (of course) and pop-fueled, the Hammersmith panto always wins.
to January 6; buy tickets Here
Jack and the Beanstalk at Theater Royal Stratford East
Stratford East’s riotous pantos are always full of quirky characters, unique takes on classic tales and plenty of laughs. This year, Jack heads up the giant beanstalk to take down Belch the Giant, a villain who steals all the mud from the villagers (destroying their once vibrant mud industry), charges exorbitant rents, and pollutes the air… Anyway, let’s leave it at that. With a wonderful original score by Robert Hyman and writing by Anna Jordan, this film is sure to be a real festive treat.
to January 6; stratfordeast.com
Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs
Mirror, mirror on the wall, don’t miss the most beautiful pantomime of them all, says the slogan and it’s hard to argue. The Greenwich panto is a classic of the genre; The venue’s long-running panto villain Anthony Spargo is taking on writer’s duties this year. Nominated for Offie awards in 2021 and 2022 after winning in 2019, this is a Christmas show with pedigree.
to January 7; greenwichtheatre.org
Odyssey: A Heroic Pantomime at Jermyn Street Theater
The panto that has truly shattered the rule book for this festival season is at the small but perfectly formed venue Jermyn Street Theater in central London. Taking the Odyssey as a starting point rather than a more traditional fairy tale, join a host of fantastical characters as they embark on a musical, legendary journey. Homer fans, look away now…
Until December 31; jermynstreetheatre.co.uk
Dick Whittington at the Richmond Theater
Another great woman, this time in the form of comedian and broadcaster Paul Merton, plays Sarah the Cook in Richmond’s Dick Whittington. She will be joined by comedian Suki Webster, musical theater performer Wendy Mae Brown and West End star Vivien Parry as Queen Mouse. Dick Whittington (Jack Danson) sets out to find fame and fortune, but can he save the city from rebellious rodents and rise to high office as Lord Mayor?
From December 9 to January 7; atgtickets.com
Cinderella at the new Wimbledon Theater
If anyone knows how to pull off the best moves at a ball, it’s Strictly Come Dancing judge Craig Revel Howard. She also further cements her caustic reputation as a talent show judge by playing Cinderella’s evil stepmother, giving audiences the chance to boo and hiss to their hearts’ content. This show also stars Olivier nominee Alison Jiear, who describes herself as the “fairy godmother of all pantos” (she once reached the semi-finals of Britain’s Got Talent), and comedian and magician Pete Firman as Buttons. The cast also includes Daniel Norford, who starred in the National Theatre.
From December 8 to January 7; atgtickets.com
Little Red Riding Hood and the Big Bad Pig
JW3 presents the first Jewish pantomime to bring together the great traditions of pantomime and Jewish storytelling. Another first is that he will perform even on Christmas Day. It’s Hanukkah, and Little Red Riding Hood’s village needs a new, affordable energy source. Will Red bring home the bacon? The film features a band playing traditional instruments on stage and singing along to panto lyrics, and stars Debbie Chazen as Dame and comedian Josh Glanc as Big Bad Pig.
From December 10 to January 7; jw3.org.uk
Cinderella at Brixton House
While Sindi-Ella struggles to keep her father’s grocery store on Brixton Lane open in the face of a looming mega-shopping centre, her life is made miserable by her bougie stepmother and south London-hating stepsister. But Charmz, a stylish newly built social media whiz a few streets away, wants to connect outside of their digital world. This song was written by award-winning writer and artist Danusia Samal, with music by Duramaney Kamara aka DL K.
Until December 31; brixtonhouse.co.uk
Jack and the Beanstalk at Catford Broadway
Susie McKenna was such a key part of the Hackney Empire pantomime that the publication once called her “the undisputed queen of London panto”. She is now bringing her own festive show to Catford with Jack and the Beanstalk. Jack, his mother, and their cows live in the kingdom of Lewishfarm, where the rich get richer and the poor get poorer. Will Jack be able to fulfill his destiny? Will her mother find love in the audience? Will nerdy Caroline become a TikTok star? Head to Catford to find out.
Between 13-31 December; broadwaytheatre.org.uk
Aladdin at Fairfield Halls
Another show using the ‘gin-us’ slogan (hey, if it ain’t broke…), the Croydon venue is staging its own Aladdin, led by EastEnders and Holby star Davood Ghadami and Croydon local Kiera Nicole. She is a favorite of the Milkshake shows as Jasmine.From December 16 to January 7; fairfield.co.uk