The Christmas season brings with it one of Britain’s greatest (and unique) art forms: pantomime. With ladies and best boys, princesses, charming princes and dastardly villains, a good panto is a must to raise the festive spirit. After our pick of shows to book for kids, here are our recommendations for London pantos – three Jack and the Beanstalks, three Cinderellas, two Aladdins and the, er, Odyssey – to enjoy…
Jack and the Beanstalk at the London Palladium
The capital’s biggest and glitziest pantos return to the Palladium for the eighth year. It is recomposed by Julian Clary, who was born for this show, and plays sailor Smee (titter). He is joined by Jennifer Saunders as Captain Hook in inspired casting, as well as Nigel Havers, Louis Gaunt and of course the great Gary Wilmot as the Lady. This show prides itself on sparing no expense in sets and costumes and creating a breathtaking spectacle.
From December 9 to January 14; palladiumpantomime.com
Aladdin in the Hackney Empire
The Hackney panto is one of East London’s great annual traditions. For the second year, the film is directed by and starring the great Clive Rowe (the only performer nominated by Olivier to play a Dame), who will play Widow Twankey next month. Also starring Natasha Lewis as Abby-na-zaar, Fred Double as Aladdin and Ruth Lynch as the Spirit of the Ring, the show promises incredible costumes, uncontrollable laughter and “song-and-dance numbers that are nothing short of genius-us.” .
Until December 31; buy tickets here
Cinderella at the Lyric Hammersmith
Get ready for a ball in West London, courtesy of award-winning panto writer and composer Vikki Stone. She brings Cinders (played by Tilly La Belle Yengo) to the present, where she is a “bona fide boss lady” running her own business in Shepherd’s Bush Market. There she meets the dashing Prince Henry, in disguise and on the run from the paps, but of course there are a few bumps on the road to true love, including Cinderella’s stepmother and stepsisters who are determined to derail the match. . Fun, silly (obviously) and pop-driven, the Hammersmith panto is always a winner.
Until January 6; buy tickets here
Jack and the Beanstalk at Theater Royal Stratford East
Stratford East’s riotous pantos are always full of outrageous characters, unique interpretations of classic stories and lots of laughs. This year, Jack leads the giant beanstalk to take on the villain Giant Belch who is stealing all the mud from the villagers (destroying their once vibrant mud industry), charging exorbitant rents and polluting the air with his… well let’s just leave it at that. With a fantastic original score by Robert Hyman and written by Anna Jordan, this is sure to be a real festive treat.
Until January 6; stratfordeast.com
Snowwhite and the Seven Dwarfs
Mirror, mirror on the wall, don’t miss the greatest pantomime of them all, goes the slogan, and it’s hard to argue with that. The Greenwich panto is a classic of the genre, with long-running panto villain Anthony Spargo taking over writing duties this year. Nominated for Offie awards in 2021 and 2022, after winning in 2019, this is a Christmas show with pedigree.
Until January 7; greenwichtheatre.org
Odyssey: A Heroic Pantomime at the Jermyn Street Theatre
The panto that has really torn up the rules this festive season is in the small but perfectly formed central London venue, Jermyn Street Theatre. Using the Odyssey as a starting point, rather than a more traditional fairy tale, you’ll join a host of fantastic characters on a musical, mythical journey. Homer fans, look away now…
Until December 31; jermynstreettheatre.co.uk
Dick Whittington at the Richmond Theatre
Another great lady, this time in the form of comedian and broadcaster Paul Merton, who plays Sarah the Cook in Dick Whittington in Richmond. He is joined by comedian Suki Webster, musical theater artist Wendy Mae Brown and West End star Vivien Parry, as Queen Rat. Dick Whittington (Jack Danson) sets out in search of fame and fortune, but will he be able to rid the city of disgusting rodents and rise to high office as mayor?
From December 9 to January 7; atgtickets.com
Cinderella at the New Wimbledon Theatre
If anyone knows how to bring the best moves to a ball, it’s Strictly Come Dancing judge Craig Revel Horward. He also builds on his biting reputation as a talent show judge by playing Cinderella’s wicked stepmother, giving the audience plenty of opportunities to boo and hiss to their hearts’ content. Also starring in the show, which bills itself as the “fairy godmother of all pantos”, is Olivier nominee Alison Jiear (who once made the semi-finals of Britain’s Got Talent) and comedian and magician Pete Firman as Buttons. Daniel Norford, who has performed at the National Theater, is also in the cast.
From December 8 to January 7; atgtickets.com
Little Red Riding Hood and the Big Bad Pig
JW3 presents the first Jewish pantomime, bringing together the great traditions of pantomime and Jewish storytelling. Another first is that there will even be a performance on Christmas Day itself. It’s Hanukkah and Little Red Riding Hood’s village needs a new, affordable energy source. Will Red bring home the bacon? With an on-stage band playing traditional instruments and accompanying songs with panto lyrics, Debbie Chazen plays the role of the Lady, alongside comedian Josh Glanc as the Big Bad Pig.
From December 10 to January 7; jw3.org.uk
Cinderella at Brixton House
Sindi-Ella struggles to keep her father’s greengrocer’s shop open on Brixton Lane, while her life is ruined by her bougie stepmother and her hateful stepsister in South London. But a few blocks away, Charmz, in a chic new-build social media wonder, wants to build a connection beyond their digital world. This is written by award-winning writer and performer Danusia Samal with music by Duramaney Kamara, aka DL K.
Until December 31; brixtonhouse.co.uk
Jack and the Beanstalk on Catford Broadway
Susie McKenna was such a staple of Hackney Empire pantomime that this publication once called her “the undisputed queen of London panto”. She now brings her cheerful, festive show to Catford with Jack and the Beanstalk. Jack, his mother and their cow live in the kingdom of Lewishfarm, where the rich get richer and the poor get poorer. Can Jack fulfill his destiny? Will his mother find love in the audience? Will Caroline the cow become a TikTok star? Head to Catford to find out.
From December 13-31; broadwaytheatre.org.uk
Aladdin at Fairfield Halls
Another show with the tagline ‘genius-us’ (hey, if it ain’t broke…), the Croydon venue is hosting its own Aladdin, fronted by EastEnders and Holby star Davood Ghadami, and Croydon local Kiera Nicole, a favorite in Milkshake programming for children, as Jasmine.From December 16 to January 7; Fairfield.co.uk