Off West End Christmas Shows 2019
IF YOU like theatre and are wondering what to do this Christmas, the capital will almost certainly have a show to suit your taste. Here, in alphabetical order, is a selection of Off West End productions. And while some are suitable for little people, others are for adults only.
A Little Princess – Drayton Arms Theatre – December 10 to December 22, 2019 and January 2 to January 5, 2020.
Rebel Theatre Company reimagines the classic tale by Frances Hodgson Burnett. A timeless story, it examines how courage and goodness can triumph over those who abuse their positions of power. Read more.
Christmas at the (Snow) Globe – Shakespeare’s Globe – December 19 to December 23.
The Globe Theatre stands empty, the stage left bare, the Christmas tree undecorated and your help is needed. Someone has stolen the Magic of Christmas from Snowdrop, the fairy who stands watch during the winter months, protecting The Globe’s great wooden ‘O’. So gather everyone you know to help comedians Sandi Toksvig and Sindhu Vee and their merry gang find the spirit of Christmas and return it to the Globe. Read more.
Christmas Carol – a fairy tale – Wilton’s Music Hall – November 29 to January 4.
This brand-new reimagining of a Christmas classic written by Piers Torday stars Olivier Award-winning Sally Dexter as the first ever female Scrooge to appear on a London stage. Read more.
Cinderella – Lyric Hammersmith – November 16 to January 5.
Expect the usual Lyric twist on Wicked Stepmothers, Ugly Stepsisters, pumpkins, mice and more. Stars include Timmika Ramsay as Cinderella, Shobna Gulati as Madame Meanie and Lauren Samuels as Popsy. Find out more at lyric.co.uk/shows/cinderella/.
Cinderella – New Wimbledon Theatre – December 7 to January 5.
Join Cinderella as she goes from rags to riches, outwits her wicked sisters and meets her dashing Prince Charming. Stars include Samantha Womack as The Wicked Stepmother, Lesley Garrett as The Fairy Godmother, Melody Thornton as Cinderella and Pete Firman as Buttons. Find out more at www.atgtickets.com/shows/cinderella/new-wimbledon-theatre/.
Dick Whittington – Theatre Royal Stratford East – November 23 to January 11.
Expect Stratford East’s much-loved mix of original show-stopping songs, belly-tickling laughs and sprinkle of magic (and perhaps a bit of snow) in this story about a young man’s quest to find adventure, fame and fortune in London. Read more.
Hansel and Gretel – Chiswick Playhouse – December 4 to January 4.
This children’s adventure will take the audience far from their city life, their Xboxes and Insta likes, into a world of lollipop houses, tap-dancing cockroaches and a witch with a penchant for single use plastic and the only remaining sustainable food source: children. Find out more at www.chiswickplayhouse.co.uk/whats-on/hansel-and-gretel/.
Humbug! The Hedgehog Who Couldn’t Sleep – The Albany – December 1 to December 29.
This captivating tale of friendship and belonging is full of charming characters and visual flair to entertain children and adults alike. Read more.
Potted Panto – Southwark Playhouse – December 5 to January 11.
In a madcap ride through the biggest stories and best-loved characters from the wonderful world of pantomime, our dastardly double act (Daniel Clarkson and Jefferson Turner) dash from rubbing Aladdin’s lamp to roaming the golden streets of Dick Whittington’s London and making sure that Cinderella gets to the ball. It’s all unmissable fun, whether you’re six or 106… Read more.
Sleeping Beauty – Greenwich Theatre – November 22 to January 12.
Andrew Pollard returns to Greenwich for a very special pantomime, celebrating the 50th anniversary of the reopening of Greenwich Theatre with a tale of a sleeping princess, an unlikely hero, an even more unlikely villain – and an adventure that’s out of this world… Find out more at www.greenwichtheatre.org.uk/events/sleeping-beauty.
Snowflake – Kiln Theatre – December 10 to January 25.
Snowflake, by Olivier Award-winning and BAFTA-nominated Mike Bartlett, is an epic story about generational conflict, fathers and daughters, and whether we’re living in the best or worst of times… Find out more at kilntheatre.com/whats-on/snowflake/.
Snow White – Chickenshed – November 27 to January 11.
A magical new musical version of a familiar tale, this mammoth production is guaranteed to fill the festive period with heart-warming cheer. Read more.
Snow White – Richmond Theatre – December 7 to January 5.
Comedian, writer and presenter Jo Brand leads the cast as The Wicked Queen. Adding to the comedy will be Britain’s Got Talent finalist Jon Clegg returning as Muddles following his celebrated appearance as Mr Smee last year, and brilliant dame Jason Sutton. Find out more at www.atgtickets.com/shows/snow-white/richmond-theatre/.
The Cat in the Hat – Turbine Theatre – December 11 to January 11.
Based on the much-loved tale by Dr Seuss, Katie Mitchell’s acclaimed stage adaptation of The Cat In The Hat is the Turbine Theatre’s first family Christmas show. Read more.
The Christmas Quest – Blue Elephant Theatre – December 7 to December 17.
Not many people have heard of The Letter-Machine but it has a very important job at Christmas. Possibly the most important job of all. It processes all the letters to Santa and makes sure every child gets a present. Find out more at www.blueelephanttheatre.co.uk/whatson.
The Invisible Man – Jack Studio Theatre – December 11 to January 4.
This fun-filled and fast-paced adaptation of HG Well’s classic novel is produced by the same team behind the Offie-nominated and five star productions of The Wolves of Willoughby Chase, Kes, and Cinderella. Read more.
The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe – Bridge Theatre – until February 2, 2020.
Step through the wardrobe this Winter into the magical kingdom of Narnia for the most mystical of adventures in a faraway land. Join Lucy, Edmund, Susan and Peter as they wave goodbye to wartime Britain and say hello to a talking Faun, an unforgettable Lion and the coldest, cruellest White Witch. Read more l Production images.
The Little Prince – Omnibus Theatre – December 4 to December 30.
On a quest to return to the asteroid that he calls home, The Little Prince encounters a stranded pilot and her crashed plane. Their magical adventure is one that takes them across the galaxy, from the Sahara desert to the moon. Read more.
The Nativity Panto – A Not-So Silent Night – King’s Head Theatre – November 29 to January 11.
This year, Charles Court Opera has taken the story that sparked the Season and sprinkled it with a generous helping of magic, whimsy and Christmas cheer to create their most joyous show yet. A cast of well-known characters will take the audience through a respectful, yet irreverent adaptation of the Nativity story, with musical numbers, laugh-out-loud puns and – as always – the entirely unexpected. Read more.
The Pixie and the Pudding – Little Angel Theatre – November 22 to February 2.
This brand new musical brings a tale from Scandinavian folklore to life with puppetry, original music and a sprinkling of pixie magic. Find out more at littleangeltheatre.com/whats-on/the-pixie-and-the-pudding/.
The Snow Queen – Park Theatre – December 4 to January 4.
Based on the original 1844 story by the renowned fairy tale writer Hans Christian Andersen, this story follows Gerda as she goes on an epic quest through the seasons to save her best friend Cei before she loses him to endless winter. With the help of bickering flowers, overworked teachers, confused princes and princesses, a talking reindeer and, of course, snowball fights, the pair just might be ready to grow up after all. Read more.
The Snow Queen – Rose Theatre Kingston – December 6 to January 5.
This glittering new adaptation of Hans Christian Andersen’s powerful tale of love, magic and self-realisation features a wealth of local talent from the Rose Youth Theatre alongside a professional cast. Find out more at www.rosetheatrekingston.org/whats-on/the-snow-queen.