What’s out there in this festive period and caught our bird’s eye…
By Suman Bhuchar
THE END OF THE YEAR is an amazing time – first comes the frenzy and frantic planning for Christmas, if you partake in the annual festivities, then comes the long holiday break fondly known as Twixmas where you have to find things to amuse yourself.
One of the best things is being able to see theatre shows aimed at adults and young people. We’ve selected a few – they will make a dent in your pocket, so be warned – but some have deals to look out for too…
Hansel and Gretel – modern twist and hidden secrets
THIS classic Grimm’s fairy tale has been re-imagined by the poet Simon Armitage into a modern day climate activism, war and refugee story. Hansel and Gretel are sent to the woods by the parents as a way of giving them a better life. They follow the trail of sweets and end up at the witch’s house but she hides a sinister secret.
Prices range from £5 standing to £55 seated. The great thing about the Globe theatre is the enjoyment of standing in the middle arena and looking up at the stage. Yes, it’s cold but good fun. This show is 60 mins long and is suitable for ages of five upward, although it does deal with themes of conflict, grief and war.
Until January 5
Ages 5+
60 Minutes (no interval)
Hansel and Gretel – Shakespeare’s Globe, 21 New Globe Walk, London SE1 9DT
https://www.shakespearesglobe.com/whats-on/hansel-and-gretel-2024/
Ballet Shoes – Stages of life and ups and downs
FOR THIS year the National Theatre has gone to the tale of ‘Ballet Shoes’ by Noel Streatfield, which has been reimagined by Australian playwright Kendall Feaver.
The story is about three adopted sisters Pauline, Petrova and Posy brought up by their absent palaeontologist father, and his great niece, Sylvia and nanny, Nana. Basically, the sisters are encouraged to go on the stage and through their ups and down deal with sibling rivalry, sisterhood and learning to follow your dreams.
If you’re aged between 16-25 you can take advantage of £10 tickets.
Until February 22
Ages 7+
2 hours and 40 minutes (20 minute interval)
Ballet Shoes, Olivier Theatre, National Theatre, South Bank, London SE1 9PX
https://www.nationaltheatre.org.uk/productions/ballet-shoes/
Twelfth Night – Seasonal Shakespearean romantic comedy
(Gyweneth Keyworthy) Pic: ©HelenMurray
OVER at the Royal Shakespeare Company (RSC) we have a romantic comedy of mixed identities (very Bollywood) written originally for The Twelfth Night, which is a Christian festival that ends the Christmas season and falls January 5 0r 6 depending on whether you begin counting from Christmas or Boxing Day.
Basically twins Viola and Sebastian get shipwrecked and she thinks he’s dead, so she disguises herself as a man, Cesario and gets a job with Duke Orsino. He is in love with Olivia, so he gets Viola to woo her but she ends up falling in love with him/her. To say anything more would be to spoil your fun.
Directed by Prasanna Puwanarajah it features Bally Gill as Duke Orsino, Freema Agyeman as Olivia, Gwyneth Keyworth as Viola and Rhys Rusbatch as Sebastian in the main roles.
Until January 18
No Visible age advisory
2 hours and 54 minutes (including 20 minute interval)
Twelfth Night, Royal Shakespeare Theatre, Stratford-Upon-Avon, Waterside, Stratford Upon Avon CV37 6BB
https://www.rsc.org.uk/twelfth-night/
And another Twelfth Night…
Is on at the Orange Tree Theatre (OTT), Richmond. It is a 1940s set production with OTT Artistic Director Tom Littler directing and the cast includes Oliver Ford Davies, and Jane Asher.
Until January 25
Ages 12+
2 hours and 45 minutes
Twelfth Night, Orange Tree Theatre, 1 Clarence Street, Surrey TW9 2SA.
https://orangetreetheatre.co.uk/whats-on/twelfth-night-2/
Matilda The Musical continues…
YOUNGER adults may be interested in this RSC beloved children’s musical production, which continues to delight audiences in London’s West End since it first began 15 years ago.
Based on Roald Dahl’s book the play is written by Denis Kelly with music by Tim Minchin; it’s the story of a gifted child Matilda Wormwood, whose parents don’t much care for her and at school her headmistress Mrs Trunchbull is a bully. She finds some friends in teacher Miss Honey, discovers her special powers and sorts things out!
Currently taking bookings to May 2026
Age 6+
2 hours and 35 minutes (including a 20-minute interval)
Cambridge Theatre, Earlham Street, London WC2H 9HU
https://uk.matildathemusical.com/tickets/tickets/
The Snowman delighting audiences of all ages
(Andrew Ashton/Martin Fenton)
© Snowman Enterprises*
ANOTHER classic favourite, this is a magical Christmas show based on the picture book by Raymond Briggs and is back at the Peacock Theatre for the 27th year.
A boy makes a snowman, who comes to life on Christmas Eve and they journey to the North Pole to meet Santa to the tune of the class song, ‘Walking in the Air’.
It’s a morality tale about how precious life is as the snowman melts in due course.
Till January 4 only
All ages
1 hour and 50 minutes (including one 20-minute interval)
Peacock Theatre (Sadler’s Wells), Portugal Street, London WC2A 2HT.
https://www.sadlerswells.com/freesheet-the-snowman-2024/
A Christmas Carol – Traditional fare that seeks to deliver
ANOTHER perennial favourite is back at the Old Vic Theatre and this time the role of Ebenezer Scrooge is played by actor John Simm.
This is the story about a man who is visited by the Ghosts of Christmas Past, Present and Future so he can see into his life reflect on it and put some wrongs right.
Matthew Warchus’s productionof this Jack Throne adaptation is beautifully staged with music, carols, dramatic effects and a treat. You can read our review of last year’s production below.
Matinees as well daily during its run to January 4
Ages 8+
2 hours (including interval)
A Christmas Carol at The Old Vic, 103 The Cut, London SE1 8NB
https://www.oldvictheatre.com/stage/a-christmas-carol-2024/
The Little Mermaid – Will romance save the planet?
THIS is another family show but as reimagined by Sonali Bhattacharyya – from the Hans Christian Anderson fairy tale and directed by Miranda Cromwell.
This particular little mermaid likes to swim and dance with her friends but the sea is getting warmer and the coral is dying. The mermaid sacrifices her fins to get on land where she meets a young man who can possibly help her. Will they succeed in saving the coral reef?
Until January 11
Ages 7+
2 hours and 10 minutes (including 20 minute interval)
The Old Vic (Bristol), King Street, Bristol BS1 4ED
https://bristololdvic.org.uk/whats-on/the-little-mermaid-2024
