Christmas 2008 FAMILY OUTINGS
Hackney Empire, London, Dec 6-Jan 10
Over recent years, Hackney Empire’s pantomime has established itself as the one to beat. It’s traditional panto with all the trimmings – usually gaudy, raucous and big-hearted, fronted by the lovable and mischievous Clive Rowe as the dame. This year’s show has a topical theme – the dangers attached to sudden wealth, as Mother Goose has to learn a hard lesson about money and morals. But the show is more likely to be a chance to forget the economic climate, as the audience, seven-year-olds and septuagenarians alike, join in with hissing the baddie and bawling “he’s behind you!”. For all ages.
Ph: +44 (0)20 8985 2424
Richmond Theatre, Richmond, Dec 5 – Jan11
More traditional fare, this time with the formidable Bonnie Langford at the helm, playing Peter Pan. She will doubtless bring great legs and boundless energy to the part and will give Simon Callow, playing fearsome baddie Captain Hook, a run for his money. Likely to be lavish, with plenty of swashbuckling and special effects. If you do go, make sure you clap your hands to show you believe in fairies. For all ages.
Ph: 0870 060 6651
Young Vic, London, Dec 4 – 24
The Young Vic’s Christmas shows have long been highlights of the season, and in recent years have become increasingly different from the usual fare. This one certainly is: it has an ecological theme and is inspired by the Brazilian people’s hero Chico Mendes, who spotted the perils of deforestation. It uses Brazilian music, dance and storytelling to focus on the villagers of Todos Os Santos, who are facing dangerous changes and hope that the spirits of the forest can save them. Something for families who like a Christmas show with some ethical substance to it. For ages seven and up.
Ph: 020 7922 2922
Lyric Hammersmith, London, Dec 5 – Jan 3
Two years ago the director Melly Still delivered a thoughtful and vivid production of Watership Down for this theatre, with lifelike rabbits rather than fluffy bunnies. Now she brings her reflective style to the traditional tale of Cinderella, and has drawn on fairy tales from other cultures to add to the Grimm version. Here Cinderella has to call on her friends from the forest to help her so that she can get away to the ball. There is music from the Norwegian ice-musician Terje Isungset, using instruments made from arctic birch and glacial ice. Expect this to be less glittery but perhaps more magical than the usual telling of the tale. For ages seven and up.
Ph: 0871 22 117 22
Barbican Centre, London Dec 1 – Jan 4
The Scottish theatre company Catherine Wheels brings its much-praised version of the classic Grimm tale to London. Again, this is a show that offers a fresh perspective on the themes in the story. But it also has a different performance style: this is a promenade production, so the audience wanders, as did Hansel and Gretel, through an eerie forest until it reaches a tempting sweetie house. For ages eight and over.
Ph: 0845 120 7500
Unicorn Theatre, London, Dec 2 – Jan 24
The Unicorn is a theatre specifically dedicated to children’s drama, so not only the show, but also the whole building is designed with smaller people in mind. This in itself is attractive, and the company tries to deliver Christmas shows with a bit of body to them. Last year’s Duck!, for example, set the story of the ugly duckling in contemporary London. Now the same team reunite to tell the tale of Sleeping Beauty, but this version roams from Victorian London to the present day and features a heroine who is too feisty to slumber patiently as she awaits her prince. For ages six and up.
Ph: 020 7645 0560
National Theatre, London, until Jan 24
The National’s deservedly hit show from last year has returned, giving more people a chance to catch it. The touching tale, based on Michael Morpurgo’s book, tells of Albert, a young boy living through the first world war, whose beloved horse Joey is taken to serve in the cavalry. The experiences of horse and boy are beautifully brought to life using life-sized puppets, and the production, by Tom Morris and Marianne Elliott, is immensely moving. Keep an eye out for the goose. For ages 12 and over.
Ph: 020 7452 3000
OUTINGS WITHOUT THE KIDS
Old Vic, London SE1, to Dec 20
Last few weeks for Matthew Warchus’ fabulous revival of Alan Ayckbourn’s 1970s trilogy. Norman, the would-be philanderer at the centre of events, tries to have his way with his wife and his two sisters-in-law in one weekend, but events conspire against him. The production, on the reconfigured in-the-round stage, is often gloriously funny but also draws out the deep loneliness and frustration that drive the plays. See all three in one day, if you can.
Ph: 0870 060 6628
National Theatre, London SE1, to Jan 21
If the relatives are driving you mad, this could help you to put things in perspective. Tracy Letts’ new play presents an American family disintegrating spectacularly in a rambling house on the Oklahoma plains. It’s a bit long and wears its state-of-the-nation metaphors a bit heavily, but it is brilliantly, blackly comic and it is worth seeing for the superb acting of Chicago’s famous Steppenwolf Theatre Company alone.
Ph: 020 7452 3000
Menier Chocolate Factory, London SE1, Dec 3 – Mar 8
The Chocolate Factory has given us some musical Christmas treats in the past, not least the joyous Little Shop of Horrors. Now Trevor Nunn directs Sondheim’s award-winning musical about four couples and their chaotic liaisons over a midsummer weekend. Maureen Lipman and Hannah Waddington are among the cast and you can have dinner at the Menier’s attractive little restaurant before heading upstairs for this so-called “fairytale for adults”.
Ph: 020 7907 7060
Tristan Bates Theatre, London WC2, Dec 1 – 20
A cheering tale, perhaps, for everyone who views the end of another year with some dismay. This is a stage adaptation of Jasper Rees’s memoir about his attempts, aged 40, to relearn how to play his French horn (set aside for some 25 years) and perform a Mozart concerto in front of a paying audience. Jonathan Guy Lewis plays Rees and everyone he encounters on his journey. Inspiration for the New Year resolutions?
Ph: 020 7240 6283
Wyndham’s Theatre, London, Dec 5 – Mar 7
Derek Jacobi plays the pompous and gullible Malvolio in the Donmar West End’s production of Shakespeare’s romantic comedy of mistaken identity and gender confusion. Victoria Hamilton, Ron Cook, Lloyd Hutchinson and Guy Henry are also among the cast for this tale of what happens when a girl disguised as a boy gets romantically entangled with a lovesick duke and his disdainful lady. Michael Grandage directs, and if his Ivanov at this address was anything to go by, this could be a delicious Christmas treat.
Ph: 0844 482 5120
Tricycle Theatre, London, Dec 11 – Jan 31
Sean Holmes, who is shortly to take over as artistic director of the Lyric Theatre Hammersmith, directs Joe Orton’s black farce, involving a heist, a coffin, a body and a great deal of near-to-the knuckle humour. David Haig, Matt di Angelo and Doon Mackichan are among the cast. An outing for those who definitely want to escape all the seasonal saccharine and goodwill to all men.
Ph: 020 7328 1000
Orange Tree, Richmond, Dec 17 – Jan 31
A comedy with a difference for Christmas. Auriol Smith directs Henry Arthur Jones’s 1913 play about political shenanigans and scandals, honours for sale and MPs crossing the floor. Now where have we heard all that before? The Orange Tree often comes up with jolly, non-tinselly fare for this time of year, and the little wooden theatre in the round is a lovely auditorium in which to enjoy it.
Ph: 020 8940 3633
