What’s on stage for families in London Christmas 2019
The Snowman at The Peacock
At The Peacock, family traditions can be kept alive, as Raymond Briggs’ The Snowman returns for a 22nd Christmas run. The Snowman is based on the popular picture book by Briggs and the film directed by Dianne Jackson and produced by John Coates. It tells the story of a boy and his snowman that comes to life, and it is playing at The Peacock from 21 November 2019 to 5 January 2020. Read my review from 2017 HERE. (Photo by Tristram Kenton.)
The Nutcracker at London Coliseum
The English National Ballet returns to London Coliseum with The Nutcracker from 11 December 2019 to 5 January 2020. The production, choreographed by Wayne Eagling and accompanied by Tchaikovsky’s memorable score performed live by English National Ballet Philharmonic, sees more than 100 dancers and musicians bringing the story about Clara and the Nutcracker to life on stage. The running time is two hours, including one interval. Read my review from 2017 HERE.
Coppélia at The Royal Opera House
Christmas 2019 will see the classic story of Coppélia returning to The Royal Opera House, where Ninette de Valois’ ballet will be playing from 28 November 2019 to 7 January 2020. The production is set to Delibes’ score, and it tells the story about Franz who–much to his fiancé’s annoyance-is fascinated by a young woman sitting on a toymaker’s balcony. When the toymaker leaves his house, the couple sneaks in, entering a world of magical dolls. The performance lasts about 2 hours and 35 minutes, including one interval.
Raymond Briggs’ Father Christmas at Lyric Hammersmith
For families with young children, Raymond Briggs’ Father Christmas at Lyric Hammersmith makes for a festive theatre experience, and it’s a show I’ve reviewed several years. With an intimate venue, live music and sounds, and wonderful stage set-up, the show has become a Christmas favourite for families, introducing children to the magic of Father Christmas and the job he does on Christmas Eve. The show, which is recommended for children aged under 6, is playing at Lyric Hammersmith from 20 November to 29 December. The running time is one hour.
The Nutcracker at Royal Albert Hall
As a special Christmas treat, the Birmingham Royal Ballet’s production of The Nutcracker will return to the Royal Albert Hall from 28 to 31 December for a third consecutive Christmas season. The enchanting ballet, which promises period costumes and impressive projections, is set to Tchaikovsky’s score and tells the magical story about Clara receiving a Nutcracker for Christmas and her toys and dolls coming to life. On 28 and 29 December, Royal Albert Hall also offers special premium tickets for a Meet and Greet Experience, which includes photo opportunities on stage and a present hand delivered to each child.
Cinderella at New Wimbledon Theatre
This year’s New Wimbledon Theatre pantomime is Cinderella, and the cast includes EastEnders star Samantha Womack as the wicked stepmother, The Pussycat Dolls singer Melody Thornton as Cinderella, actress Lesley Garrett as Fairy Godmother and television regular Pete Firman as Buttons. The pantomime, running from 7 December 2019 to 5 January 2020, promises laugh-out-loud comedy, beautiful costumes and stunning scenery.
Goldilocks and the Three Bears at The London Palladium
For a pantomime on West End, families can head to The London Palladium, which this year presents a festive and comical twist on Goldilocks and the Three Bears. The circus-themed pantomime about an evil circus threatening Goldilocks’ circus features a star-studded cast, including comedians Paul O’Grady and Julian Clary and ventriloquist Paul Zerdin. There are also special acts this year, such as illusionist Phil Hitchcock and a high-speed skating act. The show is playing at The London Palladium from 7 December to 12 January.
Cinderella at Lyric Hammersmith
From 16 November 2019 to 15 January 2020, pantomime fever will hit Lyric Hammersmith, which will be presenting Cinderella. This year’s production, which has been written by Jude Christian and directed by Tinuke Craig, promises a twist on the traditional fairy tale. The pantomime is recommended for ages 6 and over, and the running time is two hours and 20 minutes, including one interval.
Billionaire Boy at Bloomsbury Theatre
From 13 December 2019 to 5 January 2020, the musical adaptation of David Walliams’ Billionaire Boy, produced by Birmingham Stage Company, will be playing at Bloomsbury Theatre. The show tells the story of the mega rich Joe Spud, who has everything except a friend, and changes school as part of his mission to find one. The running time is 2 hours and 10 minutes, including interval, and the show is recommended for ages 5+. Read more about the production in my Billionaire Boy review from when it was playing at Richmond Theatre. (Photo above by Mark Douet.)
The Little Match Girl at Lilian Baylis Studio
From 11 to 29 December, Arthur Pita’s dance-theatre The Little Match Girl will be playing at Lilian Baylis Studio. The show is based on the classic fairy tale by Hans Christian Andersen, and in Arthur Pita’s version it is Christmas Eve in an Italian village when a little girl only has one match left to keep her warm. The show is recommended for ages 5 and over and the running time is one hour and five minutes.
The Snow Queen at Rose Theatre
At Rose Theatre in Kingston, the Christmas production is a new festive version of Hans Christian Andersen’s The Snow Queen, which will be playing from 6 December 2019 to 5 January 2020. The new adaptation is written and directed by Ciaran McConville and features actors from Rose Youth Theatre playing alongside professional actors. Rose Theatre’s The Snow Queen is recommended for ages 5 and over.
Oi Frog and Friends at Lyric Theatre
The play based on the funny children’s book Oi Frog! by Kes Gray and Jim Field will be hitting Lyric Theatre for a Christmas run starting on 29 November. While the first book sees cat explaining the rhyming rules of what different animals sit on, the Oi Frog and Friends stage show is set at Sittingbottom School where frog is looking for a place to sit. The show is recommended for ages 3 and over. Read more about the production in my Oi Frog and Friends review from when it was playing at Rose Theatre. Photo from rehearsals by Pamela Raith Photography.
The Paper Dolls at New Wimbledon Studio Theatre
While children’s theatre Polka Theatre is closed for redevelopment, Polka Theatre will be popping up at New Wimbledon Studio Theatre, showing The Paper Dolls, a puppetry version of the picture book written by Julia Donaldson and illustrated by Rebecca Cobb. The show tells the story about Rosie and her mum who creates a string of paper dolls and takes them on an adventure. The puppet show, which is a co-production between Polka Theatre and Little Angel Puppet Theatre, has been adapted and directed by Polka’s artistic director Peter Glanville. The Paper Dolls will be playing from 11 December 2019 to 5 January 2020, and the show is recommended for ages 3 to 6.
The Snail and the Whale at Apollo Theatre
In a show based on popular Julia Donaldson and Axel Scheffler children’s book The Snail and the Whale, families can follow a young girl and her father who reimagines the story about the tiny snail who sets out to see the world. The Snail and the Whale live show, produced by Tall Stories, will be playing at West End’s Apollo Theatre from 30 November 2019 to 5 January 2020, and it is recommended for children aged 4 years and older. The running time is 55 minutes.
Paddington on Ice at Hyde Park Winter Wonderland
This Christmas, London’s best known bear will be skating onto the ice in Hyde Park Winter Wonderland as part of his own show Paddington on Ice–a show playing in Germany’s Europa-Park. The family show Paddington on Ice sees Paddington travel from the jungle of Peru to London, and the production is set to entertain families with figure skating, colourful costumes and music. The running time is approximately 45 minutes.
Peppa Pig’s: Best Day Ever! at Duke of York’s Theatre
This Christmas, Peppa Pig Live will be celebrating 10 years of its live shows with a new production Peppa Pig’s: Best Day Ever! hitting West End for a Christmas run. In the new show, recommended for children aged over 18 months, theatre-goers can join Peppa and her family on a road-trip with everything from castles and dragons to ice-cream and muddy puddles. The production promises laughter and lively songs, and the running time is 1 hour and 20 minutes, including interval. Peppa Pig: Best Day Ever! will be playing at West End’s Duke of York’s Theatre from 29 November 2019 to 5 January 2020.
A Christmas Carol at Middle Temple Hall
From 21 to 30 December, A Christmas Carol will be returning to London’s historic venue Middle Temple Hall for a fifth Christmas season. The play based on the classic by Charles Dickens is an adaptation by Antic Disposition, and tells the story about ill-tempered Ebenezer Scrooge (played for a fourth consecutive year by Olivier award-nominated West End actor David Burt). The production is recommended for ages 6 and over, and the running time is two hours, including interval.
The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe at Bridge Theatre
At the Bridge Theatre, families can journey into the magical world of CS Lewis with the Leeds Playhouse production of The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe, presented by The London Theatre Company by special arrangement with Elliot & Harper Productions and Catherine Schreiber. The show, which is recommended for ages 6 and over, tells the story about children Lucy, Edmund, Susan and Peter who step through their wardrobe, escaping wartime Britain to go on adventure to the mystical land of Narnia. The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe will be playing at Bridge Theatre from 9 November 2019 to 2 February 2020, and the running time is 2 hours and 40 minutes, including interval.
A Christmas Carol at The Old Vic
At London’s The Old Vic, Jack Thorne’s adaptation of A Christmas Carol will be playing from 23 November 2019 to 18 January 2020. Based on the classic by Charles Dickens, the show tells the story about four ghosts visiting the miserable Ebenezer Scrooge, who is played by The Beach actor Paterson Joseph. The production, directed by Matthew Warchus, is recommended for ages 8 and over, and the running time is 2 hours and 5 minutes.
Disney on Ice presents 100 Years of Magic at The O2
This Christmas favourite Disney characters will take to the ice at The O2 in Disney on Ice presents 100 Years of Magic. The show line-up includes Disney princesses, characters from Toy Story, Frozen, Beauty and the Beast, Aladdin and more, and the production promises colourful costumes, impressive figure-skating and more than 30 Disney songs. Disney On Ice presents 100 Years of Magic is running at The O2 from 26 December to 5 January.
The Cat in the Hat at The Turbine Theatre
From 11 December 2019 to 11 January 2020, families can catch the stage adaptation of popular Dr Seuss children’s book The Cat in the Hat at Battersea’s new The Turbine Theatre. The production, adapted by Katie Mitchell and directed by Lillie Collier, promises a lively and engaging show for young theatre-goers. The Cat in the Hat play was originally produced by National Theatre and tells the story about the hilarious cat who visits Sally and her brother, creating chaos in their house. The show is recommended for ages 3 and over and the running time is 50 minutes.
Hansel and Gretel at Chiswick Playhouse
At Chiswick Playhouse this Christmas, families can experience a reimagined take on the Brothers Grimm’s tale Hansel and Gretel with a production that takes inspiration from environmental and climate activist Greta Thunberg. The production, directed by Lucy Jane Atkinson, is recommended for ages 6 and over and promises original music and puppetry. The running time is 1 hour and 45 minutes, including interval, and it will be playing from 4 December 2019 to 4 January 2020.
Stick Man at Leicester Square Theatre
Popular children’s picture book Stick Man by Julia Donaldson and Axel Scheffler is brought to life in the Scamp Theatre and Freckle Productions’ stage adaptation Stick Man Live, back in London’s West End for the Christmas season. The show, recommended for children aged 3 and over, will be playing at Leicester Square Theatre from 6 November 2019 to 26 January 2020. The running time is 55 minutes. Read my review from 2017 HERE.
The Wolf, the Duck and the Mouse at Unicorn Theatre
At children’s theatre The Unicorn, families can catch the Unicorn and New Perspectives stage adaptation of Mac Barnett and Jon Klassen’s The Wolf, the Duck and the Mouse. The show, adapted by Jack MacNamara, tells the story about a mouse who’s gobbled up by a wolf and meets a new friend duck inside wolf’s belly. The Wolf, the Duck and the Mouse is recommended for children aged 3 to 7 and will be playing from 15 November 2019 to 5 January 2020. The running time is approximately 50 minutes.
Oscar Wilde’s The Canterville Ghost at The Unicorn
For families with children aged 7 and over, The Unicorn presents Oscar Wilde’s comic The Canterville Ghost, adapted by Anthony Weighand directed by Justin Audibert. The show tells the story about the Otis family arriving from America and moving into an old mansion on Canterville Chase, which is haunted by a spooky ghost. Theatre-goers can expect illusions and ghoulish effects in the show, which is running from 10 November 2019 to 5 January 2020. The running time is approximately 2 hours, including interval.
All Wrapped Up at artsdepot
For a Christmas show for under 5s, artsdepot in North London presents All Wrapped Up by Oily Cart. In this festive multi-sensory show, wrapping paper transforms into mischievious creatures and hidden worlds with the help of light, shadows and audience imagination. At the end, young theatregoers can try exploring what shadows they can create with paper themselves too. The show is playing from 10 to 31 December and the running time is 55 minutes.
There are also a number of family-friendly musicals playing on West End, including Disney’s The Lion King at Lyceum Theatre, Disney’s Mary Poppins at Prince Edward Theatre (from 23 October) and Matilda The Musical at Cambridge Theatre.
Related Posts
Review: Charlie and the Chocolate Factory returns to London with Wimbledon run →
Review: The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe brings a magical musical display to New Wimbledon Theatre →
Review: David Walliams’ Gangsta Granny for a festive family treat →
