TOP 6 THEATRE SHOWS TO SEE THIS CHRISTMAS
As we are in the festive month of December, here are the top 6 shows that you should all check out that are playing across the UK.
Firstly, we all know it’s panto season (oh yes it is) if you have children who love the theatre why not take them to see a pantomime, with lots of them being performed up and down the country Here is some that I think you should check out;
Jack and the Beanstalk, London Palladium
Jack and the Beanstalk, which is playing at the London Palladium starring, Dawn French as Dame Trot and Julian Clary as the spirit of the beans. Other London Palladium panto favourites return including Nigel Havers as King Nigel and Gary Wilmot as Queen Nigella. West End stars Louis Grunt and Rob Madge will also be performing in the trademark pantomime in London.
With glitter and sparkles all around and a huge beanstalk, the London Palladium panto will surely be a great family outing with something for everyone. With the show being produced by Crossroads Pantomimes, their big spectacle pantomimes that play across many venues you’ll surely be in for a treat. You can also see their other productions at places like; Aberdeen (Peter Pan), Belfast (Cinderella) Birmingham (Dick Whittington), Cardiff (Snow White) Richmond (Goldilocks and the three bears), Plymouth (Sleeping Beauty) and Glasgow (Beauty and the Beast) with more places too.
Jack and the Beanstalk is playing at the London Palladium from Saturday the 10th of December till the 15th of January. Book your tickets!
Standing At The Sky’s Edge, Sheffield Crucible Theatre
The second show on the top 6 shows to see this December is Standing at the Sky’s Edge. The musical is playing at the Sheffield Crucible theatre over the Christmas season.
The show returns to Sheffield 3 years after it premiered in 2019. It follows the story (which spans over decades) of the first residents of Sheffield's park hill flats. With music by Richard Hawley and a book by Chris Bush. I saw the show in 2019 and it was incredible. The show takes on the heart of Sheffield's history well, it has great music and book and set that makes you feel that you're in the actual flat itself.
With the production receiving 5 stars from “The stage” The show's 3 year long-awaited return will be a huge hit with audiences! The cast includes; Rachel Wooding, Ahmed Hamad, Bobbie Little and Alex Young with direction by Robert Hastie is sure not to be missed.
Standing at the Sky's Edge plays at the Sheffield Crucible from Saturday 10th of December till Saturday the 21st of January. But if you miss it at Sheffield the show is transferring to the National Theatre in London from February 2023. Check out the ticket information to book yours!
The Wizard of Oz, Curve Leicester
If you enjoy a modernistic take on a beloved classic, you’ll love Curve’s production of The Wizard of Oz this festive season. Nikolai Foster has created an extensive and vibrant production that will wow audiences!
The cast of the Curve production is stellar with Georgina Onuorah, Paul French, Jonny Finnes and Giovanni Spano bringing much-loved characters to life!
You can read our review of this production here.
The Wizard of Oz is performing at Curve, Leicester until 8 January. Book your tickets.
A Christmas Carol, The Old Vic
Jack Thorne’s version of The Charles Dickens classic A Christmas Carol returns again for another year at The Old Vic in London.
The Old Vic's production brings immersive staging and a cast which includes incredible theatre performers like SIX’s Meesha Turner, Rent & Hairspray star Raffaella Covino and also Heathers’ Merryl Ansah. They join Owen Teale as Ebenezer Scrooge in this stage adaption of a well-known Christmas story.
The Old Vic’s production of A Christmas Carol has had raving reviews and is running until the 7th of January. Book your tickets now.
Elf The Musical, Dominion Theatre
A family classic and a stage adaptation of one of the best Christmas films…ELF The Musical. The show takes on the same story as the 2003 movie made famous by Will Ferrell playing Buddy the Elf. Buddy travels the long journey from the North Pole to New York to seek his birth father.
The movie is an absolute favourite of mine and I'm sure it is to many others. I was part of an amateur production of the show last year and it was a lot of fun to be a part of, it really is like you're seeing the film live on stage but with more singing, which I actually think Elf should have had music in it as it really suits the character of Buddy.
With big numbers and scenery, the show delivers a festive feeling to everyone. It’s great fun for all the family with iconic lines still in the show. It's a great show for all families.
Staring; Simon Lipkin, Georgina Castle, Tom Chambers and Rebecca Lock with book by Thomas Meehan and Bob Martin, music by Matthew Skylar and lyrics by Chad Beguelin.
Elf plays at the Dominion theatre in London till the 7th of January 2023. Book your tickets now.
White Christmas The Musical, Liverpool Empire
Last BUT certainly not least my final show is White Christmas The Musical. Currently on a UK tour and currently at its final stop in the Liverpool Empire Theatre, now is the time to go and see this show. Until the 31st of December, this brand new version of Irving Berlin's classic is a great theatrical musical with great tap numbers, lavish sets and a cast of 26 incredible performers which includes Jay Mcguiness, Jessica Daley, Lorna Luft and Michael Starke.
The show is directed by Ian Talbot, choreography by Stephen Mear and written by David Ives and Paul Blake. White Christmas is a great Christmas show and is one that is sure not to be missed if you get the chance to see it.
Book your tickets to see White Christmas The Musical before it’s too late!
WRITTEN BY HARRY. FOLLOW HARRYTHEATRELIFE ON INSTAGRAM.
