The Best Family Shows in London for Christmas 2015*
by Catherine O'Dolan on 02/12/2015
Sugar Plum Fairies and icy Snow Queens, an oversized Elf, a ragged servant girl, a magical Snowman – and a cast of clowns caught in a snow storm. London’s theatres come to vibrant life with wonderful shows for all the family to enjoy as a festive treat.
Oh yes, it’s time for curtains up for some of our favourites. And be sure to book promptly, as they say, to avoid disappointment.
AROUND THE WORLD IN 80 DAYS
NOVEMBER 26–JANUARY 17 2016
Where: St James Theatre, Victoria
The majestic, mysterious and fabulously wealthy Phileas Fogg wagers his life’s fortune that he can circumnavigate the globe in just 80 days. Join Fogg and his loyal valet, Passepartout, as they voyage from the misty alleys of Victorian London to the exotic subcontinent and the Wild West in a race against the clock. Based on one of the world’s most beloved tales by Jules Verne, this dazzling new production features a cast of eight play over 50 characters in an imaginative, high-spirited escapade including six trains, five boats, four fights, three dances, two circus acts and an elephant! No passports required.
Best for Adventurers with wanderlust
Running time 2 hours and 15 minutes, including interval
Ages Suitable for ages 8+
Cost From £15
Details St. James Theatre, 12 Palace Street, London SW1E 5JA. Tel 0844 264 2140
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ELF THE MUSICAL
OCTOBER 24–JANUARY 2
Where: Dominion Theatre, Tottenham Court Road
Based on the beloved 2003 movie hit Elf (one of our 12 We Love Christmas Movies), Elf the Musical tells the hilarious tale of Buddy, a young orphan child adopted by Santa in song, dance and a liberal sprinkling of jingle bells. Packed with all the humour that makes the movie such a heartwarming classic – and lots of comic mileage around the fact that Elf is a gargantuan misfit – there is also a gentle message about the magical power of belief. A cast of multi-award winning creators make this a sleek production and a future classic of the festive season.
Best for Elfish types seeking seasonal shenanigans
Running time 2 hours and 25 minutes, including interval
Ages Suitable for ages 4+
Cost From £30
Details Dominion Theatre, 268-269 Tottenham Court Road, London
W1T 7AQ. Tel 0845 200 7982
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PETER PAN GOES WRONG
4 DECEMBER–31 JANUARY 2016
Where Apollo Theatre, Shaftesbury Avenue
The original accident-prone cast of the award-winning box office hit The Play That Goes Wrong bring their trademark chaotic comedy to the JM Barrie classic and festive favourite, Peter Pan. Expect technical hitches, flying mishaps and spectacular disputes and fall-outs as the cast make their way to Neverland. A festive twist on the original The Play That Goes Wrong, there will be plenty of highly physical comedy packed with finely-tuned farce and Buster Keaton-inspired slapstick delivered with split-second timing. Well, unless of course, it all goes wrong…
Best for Kids (and adults) who never want to grow up
Age recommendation Suitable for ages 8+
Running time 2 hours and 20 minutes, including interval
Cost £20–£49.50
Details 31 Shaftesbury Avenue London W1D 7ES Tel 0844 482 9671
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RAYMOND BRIGGS’ FATHER CHRISTMAS
NOVEMBER 20–DECEMBER 24
Where: Little Lyric, Hammersmith
Raymond Briggs’ Father Christmas has become a must-see Christmas show for families, especially as a great introductory theatre experience for young children. Follow Santa as he awakes from a dream of sun, sea and sand only to find it is the busiest day of the year: Christmas Eve. This timeless festive story bursts into life with live music, playful puppets and a magical set.
Best for Those who like ho-ho-ho in their holiday entertainment
Ages Under 6s
Running time 50 minutes
Cost £10
Details Lyric Hammersmith, Lyric Square, King St, London W6 0QL. Tel 0871 22 117 29
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SLAVA’S SNOWSHOW
DECEMBER 16–JANUARY 3 2016
Where: Royal Festival Hall
The extravaganza that is Slava’s Snowshow returns to Royal Festival Hall for a fifth magical year. Now firmly established in the firmament of London’s Christmas shows, this multi-award-winning hit features a dramatic classical musical score, including O Fortuna from Carmen Burana Vangellis Providing fun for the whole family, the show fills Royal Festival Hall with a heart-stopping blizzard of snow and other breath-taking visual effects.
Best for Those who love mighty meteorological magic
Ages Recommended for ages 8+ (no under-threes admitted).
Running time 2 hours plus post-show playtime
Cost From £20
Details Royal Festival Hall, Belvedere Road, London SE1 8XX Tel 0844 875 0073
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STICK MAN – LIVE ON STAGE
29 NOVEMBER–JANUARY 3 2016
This truly delightful adaptation of Julia Donaldson and Axel Scheffler’s hugely popular children’s book Stick Man has plenty of funny moments, and a good dollop of feel-good charm. When Stick Man gets separated from his family, he begins an odyssy filled with mild menace and comic moments before a familiar jolly figure in red tips up to save the day. Touching, witty and utterly original, this award-winning production features a trio of top actors and is packed full of puppetry, songs, live music and funky moves. Read our full review of Stick Man – Live on Stage here.
Best for Sticklers for good family entertainment
Running time 55 minutes
Ages Recommended 3+. Children under 12 months may sit on laps without requiring a ticket
Cost Adult £19.50, Child £14.50, Family (4 Tickets) £55
Details Leicester Square Theatre, 6 Leicester Place, London WC2H 7BX Tel 020 7734 2222
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THE FIREWORK-MAKER’S DAUGHTER
10 DECEMBER–JANUARY 2
Where: Royal Opera House, Covent Garden
Expect the habitual ‘oohs’ and ‘aahs’ that a colourful firework display traditionally elicits from its audience. What’s so clever about this magical production is that there’s no real fire involved at all – just plenty of whizz bang! This glorious tale of courage and friendship features real actors, live music and some very clever shadow puppetry. Arrive early to enjoy firework cupcakes, lemonade with edible sparkles and mini margarita pizzettas in the foyer, too.
Best for Those who like theatre with fizz, sparkle and bang.
Ages Suitable for 6+
Running time 2 hours, including interval
Cost £8–£26
Details Linbury Studio Theatre, Royal Opera House, Bow Street, Covent Garden, London WC2E 9DD Tel 020 7240 1200.
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THE LORAX
4 DECEMBER–16 JANUARY
Where: The Old Vic, Waterloo
Filled with the signature zaniness and joyful nonsense (but with a wise moral) of Dr. Seuss, The Lorax tells of a moustachioed and cantankerous critter who’s on a mission to protect the earth from the greedy, tree-chopping, Thneed-knitting businessman known only as The Once-ler. Adapted by David Greig and brought to the stage by acclaimed director Max Webster (James and the Giant Peach, To Kill a Mockingbird, Twelfth Night), The Lorax blends theatrical invention, puppetry, songs and zany humour in a timely and vibrant Christmas show with a timeless message for grandparents, parents and children alike.
Best for Fans of the brilliant Dr Seuss’ zany humour – and handsome moustaches!
Running time 2 hours 15 minutes, including interval
Cost £12–£60
Details The Old Vic, The Cut, London SE1 8NB Tel 0844 871 7628.
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ENGLISH NATIONAL BALLET THE NUTCRACKER
16 DECEMBER–10 JANUARY
Where: London Coliseum, Covent Garden
In our eyes, Christmas wouldn’t be the same, with a liberally sprinkling of sweetness from a certain Sugar Plum Fairy. The Nutcracker is a true perennial favourite and this year, you can see the ballet in performances by the English National Ballet at the Coliseum, and the Royal Ballet at the Royal Opera House. Here’s why we are so enamoured with The Nutcracker.
Best for Pint-size primas who love to pirouette.
Ages Recommended for ages 5+. Family-Friendly Performances for under-fives on matinee performances on 4 January and 10 January.
Running time 2 hours 15 minutes including interval
Cost Adults from £69, children from £34.50
Details London Coliseum, St Martin’s Lane, London WC2N 4ES Tel 020 7845 9300.
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ROYAL BALLET THE NUTCRACKER
8 DECEMBER–14 JANUARY
Where: Royal Opera House, Covent Garden
The Royal Ballet presents a traditional telling how a young girl’s enchanted present of a Nutcracker leads her on a wonderful adventure, danced to Tchaikovsky’s glittering score. Can’t make it to London? The performance on December 16 will be live-streamed in cinemas worldwide. Find details of The Nutcracker – Live in cinema here.
Best for Pint-size primas who love to pirouette.
Ages Recommended for ages 5+
Running time 2 hours and 20 minutes, including interval
Cost From £25
Details Royal Opera House, Bow Street, Covent Garden, London WC2E 9DD Tel 020 7304 4000
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THE RAILWAY CHILDREN
18 DECEMBER–JANUARY 3
Where: King’s Cross Theatre
This locomotion just keeps on chugging! Set in a brand new, purpose built 1,000 seat venue, this breathtaking show features a stage built around a real train track, a troupe of fine actors and, as the star of the show, a beautiful 60-tonne vintage locomotive. This fabulous show has proved so popular since it pulled up in trendy N1C that its run has been extended til April 2016, with dates over the Easter holidays. Read our full review of The Railway Children here.
Best for Trainspotters with a hankering after the Golden Age of Steam
Ages Suitable for ages 3+
Running time 2 hours and 10 minutes, including interval
Cost From £19.50–£71.50
Details King’s Cross Theatre, Goods Way, King’s Cross, London N1C 4UR Tel 0844 871 7604
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THE SNOWMAN
25 NOVEMBER 2015–3 JANUARY 2016
Where: The Peacock Theatre
Dreaming of a white Christmas? Snowfall is guaranteed at this magical production of Raymond Briggs’ well-loved seasonal classic. You probably already know the story – and the song Walking in the Air – but just in case: a young boy builds a snowman who comes to life and whisks him off on a flight to magical realms. There are no words in this ballet-cum-theatrical-mime affair, but there’s plenty of fun and gentle humour featuring seasonal favourites including a Snow Queen, Jack Frost and Father Christmas, plus a slew of snowmen in interesting guises. Never seen a snowman in a kilt? Now’s your chance! And no, we don’t know what he wears underneath, but chances are it’ll be a bit nippy.
Best for Fans of Bing… dreaming of a White Christmas
Ages Suitable for all ages
Running time 1 hour 50 minutes (including interval)
Cost £15–£35
Details Peacock Theatre, Portugal Street, Holborn, London WC2A 2HT Tel 020 7863 8222
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THE TIGER WHO CAME TO TEA
25 NOVEMBER–JANUARY 10
Where: Lyric Theatre, Shaftesbury Avenue
The classic story of the greedy-guzzler tiger written by Judith Kerr comes to life in this delightful stage adaptation. Packed with oodles of magic, sing-a-long songs and clumsy chaos, this stunning stage adaptation is a teatime – or indeed any time – delight. Adapted for the stage by David Wood OBE, undisputedly the leading writer and director of plays and musicals for children. Read our full of The Tiger Who Came to Tea here, and see Judith Kerr’s well-loved feline in the wonderful festive tale Mog’s Christmas Calamity.
Best for Animal lovers who like a little chaos with their cake.
Ages Suitable for ages 3+
Running time 55 minutes
Cost From £14.50
Details Tel 0330 333 4812
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** SPECIAL NOTE ** The Tiger Who Came To Tea starts its Australian 2016 Tour with performances at venues in Brisbane (14–17 January), Port Macquarie, NSW (19 January), Newcastle, NSW (20 January), Melbourne (21 January), Adelaide (22–24 January), and Perth (27–30 January).
WE ARE THE MONSTERS
12–23 DECEMBER
Southbank Centre, Southbank
Fresh from its success at The Edinburgh Festival 2015, this quirky dance show for kids is making its London debut at the Southbank Centre. Using all manner of trop l’oeil contortions that make creatures appear headless, the show explores the nature of being, posing the question: who are the monsters? A lively dance performance filled with mischief, humour and undiluted craziness. Each 11am performance is followed by a 45-minute workshop that uses movement, music, images and props to explore the world of the monsters (spaces limited to 20 tickets per workshop).
Best for Contemporary dance fans who like their grooves extraordinary.
Ages Recommended for ages 4–9 years
Running time 35 minutes
Cost From £7–£14
Details Spirit Level (Blue Room) at Royal Festival Hall, Southbank Centre,
Belvedere Road, London SE1 8XX Tel 020 7960 4200
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WONDER.LAND
23 NOVEMBER–30 APRIL 2016
Where: The National Theatre, Southbank
Literature’s most famous and beloved wearer of the Alice band is transported boldly into the 21st Century with this kick-ass version of Lewis Carroll’s tale. With music by Damon Albarn and lyrics by Moira Buffuni, expect stunning costumes and set design in a playful and provacative modern-day retelling that featuring a rambunctious teenage Alice as she ponders on life in a the kaleidoscopic digital world of wonder.land.
Best for The curious – and the curiouser
Ages Suitable for ages 10+
Running time Approx 2 hours and 30mins including interval
Cost From £15–£55
Details National Theatre, South Bank, London, SE1 9PX Tel 020 7452 3000
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