There is so much fantastic stuff opening in the next few weeks across the capital. Here are a dozen of our favourites. (Separate listings for pantos and Dickens)
Wilton’s Music Hall, 24 Nov-31 Dec
A brand-new adaptation written by Piers Torday, one of our absolute favourite writers. Starting in modern-day Hyde park in spring, it moves along the Thames and through the seasons ending up in Mole’s house for Christmas. As you would expect from the creator of The Last Wild series, there is a strong eco message in this tale of sustainable hope. Ages 5+.
Tickets: £10.50–£36.50
National Theatre, 16 Nov–14 Jan
Badly blighted by Covid last year, the National’s new musical take on Sleeping Beauty is looking forward to a proper festive run this time. Ages 8+
Tickets: £20–£89
Shakespeare’s Globe, 15–31 Dec
Carol singing and tree decorating are just part of the hands-on audience participation in this loose re-telling of the Hans Christian Andersen tale with an eco twist. All ages.
Tickets: £15–£49 seated, U18 half price, £5 standing.
Unicorn Theatre, 6 Nov–31 Dec
Children of 7+ will enjoy this new adaptation. We are going on Friday so will report back! Tickets: £13–£29.50
Unicorn Theatre, 17 Nov–31 Dec
Elias is going to visit his family in the Caribbean for the first time this Christmas. He is excited but will it FEEL like Christmas? Perfect for any little ones who might be heading off somewhere hot for the festive season. Ages 3–6.
Tickets: £13–£25.50
Little Angel Theatre, Dagmar Passage, N118 Nov–29 Jan
The tiny home of puppetry is putting on a festive musical treat from Scandinavia. Ages 4–11. For younger children (ages 3–8), We’re Going on a Bear Hunt (25 Nov–29 Jan) is a delight.
Family workshops combine with both shows. Check website for details.
Tickets: £15 adults, £13 children. Workshops £7.50.
artsdepot, 5 Nether Street, N12, 5 Dec–2 Jan
A new adaptation of the Julia Donaldson/Axel Scheffler picture book. Ages 3+. Tickets: from £12
Polka Theatre 240 The Broadway, Wimbledon
We like the sound of the family cracker-making sessions before selected performances of this year’s Christmas show (19 Nov–15 Jan). Ages 5–12. Tickets: from £15
Apollo Hammersmith 15–31 Dec
We adored this in its previous runs on the Southbank. This Christmas it moves west to the Hammersmith Apollo. The awe-inspiring magic of the golden age of circus with no live animals. The giant elephants (from the team behind War Horse) are just astonishing. Tickets: from £20
Dominion Theatre, 14 Nov–7 Jan
The fully-grown man elf in green translates surprisingly well from screen to stage. Saccharine, yes but fun nevertheless. 'Never Fall in Love with an Elf', 'There is a Santa Claus'. What's not to like?
Tickets: £40–£195
Emily Turner, 15 November 2022