HERE YOU COME AGAIN★★★★Riverside Studios
HERE YOU COME AGAIN Riverside Studios ★★★★ “an unexpected gem (or should that be rhinestone) of a show” Should Dolly Parton ever fall on hard times, there is definitely a career for her as a self-help therapist. At least according to the feel-good musical “Here You Come Again”. The Country
DUCK POND★★★★Royal Festival Hall
DUCK POND Royal Festival Hall ★★★★ “It is a wonder, without a doubt, and delightfully potty” Australian company Circa has intertwined the myths of Swan Lake and The Ugly Duckling to create a muscular and gasp-inducing circus ballet that is rich in both beauty and spectacle. “D-u-c-k!” one is tempted
DECK THE STALLS★★★Riverside Studios
DECK THE STALLS Riverside Studios ★★★ “a joyful celebration that brings a smile to our faces” In today’s Google-driven society there are numerous sites on the internet that advise us on the dos and don’ts of that infamous English institution: the office Christmas party. In the past we would just
SLAVA’S SNOWSHOW★★★★Harold Pinter Theatre
SLAVA’S SNOWSHOW Harold Pinter Theatre ★★★★ “funny and innocent theatre” If you are looking for the most delightful, happy Festive show for everyone to enjoy then look no further – Slava’s Snow Show has arrived at the Harold Pinter Theatre, in a welcome return to the West End. Asissai the
NATASHA, PIERRE & THE GREAT COMET OF 1812★★★★★Donmar Warehouse
NATASHA, PIERRE & THE GREAT COMET OF 1812 Donmar Warehouse ★★★★★ “The performances are uniformly superb, the skin of each character ripped open by the flaming crossbow of passion” A major comet is visible from earth on average every five to ten years, while a great comet is visible every
CYRANO★★★Park Theatre
CYRANO Park Theatre ★★★ “an exciting adaptation of a classic text that leaves the audience wanting more” Before the start of Virginia Gay’s adaptation of Cyrano, the cast travel around the audience handing out poetry. A testament to the play’s dedication to words. By Cyrano’s own admission, such words should
HOLD ON TO YOUR BUTTS★★★★Arcola Theatre
HOLD ON TO YOUR BUTTS Arcola Theatre ★★★★ “Although lacking the traditional sleigh bells and Santa, it does have sufficient nostalgia, silliness and giggles to fill a panto-shaped hole” In case you’re wondering, “Hold on to your butts” is a line from Samuel L Jackson as he is about to
BEAUTY AND THE BEAST★★★★New Theatre Royal
BEAUTY AND THE BEAST New Theatre Royal ★★★★ “this show will leave you smiling, laughing and thoroughly entertained” The New Theatre Royal Portsmouth’s Beauty and the Beast is an enchanting pantomime that captures the magic of this cherished Christmas tradition. Created in association with Jordan Productions and directed by Hannah
A CHORAL CHRISTMAS★★★★Sinfonia Smith Square
A CHORAL CHRISTMAS Sinfonia Smith Square ★★★★ “a strong and heart-warming performance by all” There is nothing that heralds Christmas more than a joyous classical choral music concert, and A Choral Christmas, in the beautiful Smith Square Hall, was just that. Performed by the youthful emerging musicians of both Sinfonia
BALL & BOE – FOR FOURTEEN NIGHTS ONLY★★★★Soho Theatre
BALL & BOE – FOR FOURTEEN NIGHTS ONLY Soho Theatre ★★★★ “clever, funny, and meticulously crafted” Adam Riches said of this show that the aim is for the audience to “walk into a room where you genuinely don’t know what it’s going to be” and as that, the show is
LADY MONTAGU UNVEILED★★★King’s Head Theatre
LADY MONTAGU UNVEILED King’s Head Theatre ★★★ “The dramatic flatness, occasionally cut through with histrionics, and amplified by dance and music, has a cumulative and hypnotic effect, given time.” Open the lid of this gem-speckled music box and you find a white-gowned Lady Montagu twirling like a punk ballerina. This
THE PRODUCERS★★★★★Menier Chocolate Factory
THE PRODUCERS Menier Chocolate Factory ★★★★★ “Its biting, irreverent satire is the most delicious slap in the face you’ll ever experience” “It is shocking, outrageous and insulting… and I loved every minute”. That is a quote from Mel Brooks’ and Thomas Meehan’s musical, but it could easily be the tagline
PRESENT★★★★Live Theatre
PRESENT Live Theatre ★★★★ “Abundant with beauty, community, and feeling” ‘Present’ at the Live Theatre is a moving festive production exploring estrangement, alcoholism and homelessness. The story follows Dave, a man struggling with addiction and homelessness amongst the backdrop of the days leading up to Christmas. He is a grandad
PERKY NATIVITITTIES★★★★The Yard Theatre
PERKY NATIVITITTIES The Yard Theatre ★★★★ “an hilarious show that brings a fantastic piece of alternative and unique Christmas entertainment” As another Christmas rolls around, one may find oneself looking for something new to reignite the Yuletide spirit, forgetting the old traditions and repeated specials that have begun to make
THE MASSIVE TRAGEDY OF MADAME BOVARY★★★Southwark Playhouse Borough
THE MASSIVE TRAGEDY OF MADAME BOVARY Southwark Playhouse Borough ★★★ “a high-spirited affair that the cast dive into with relish, commitment and enviable energy” Gustave Flaubert, the champion of realism, spent five years writing “Madame Bovary” only to find himself charged with immorality. Thankfully he was later acquitted, and the
POTTED PANTO★★★★★Wilton’s Music Hall
POTTED PANTO Wilton’s Music Hall ★★★★★ “This is the only panto you’ll ever need. It’s the festive season in a nutshell.” If you are a pantomime completist, you can easily knock off a handy six – or is it seven? – in one night at Wilton’s Music Hall and have
WHITE CHRISTMAS★★★★The Mill at Sonning
WHITE CHRISTMAS The Mill at Sonning ★★★★ “There is a simplicity to the evening that allows the storytelling and the inherent values of its message shine through” The rain is falling from a dark, wintry sky and storm Darragh is rumbling away in the near distance heralding its arrival across
BETTE & JOAN★★★★Park Theatre
BETTE & JOAN Park Theatre ★★★★ “A stupendous performance … witty and moving” Set conflicts, long lived feuds and a peek in the life of the big Hollywood stars. After series like Ryan Murphy’s Feud and Hollywood started swarming the media, it’s clear that audiences want to see what unfolds
DICK WHITTINGTON AND HIS CAT★★★★Hackney Empire
DICK WHITTINGTON AND HIS CAT Hackney Empire ★★★★ “This is a campy and silly way to spend an evening, but feels festive and fun” This is a rollicking rollercoaster of a panto. Written by Will Brenton and directed by Clive Rowe (who also stars) it remains true to the classic
THE DEVIL WEARS PRADA★★★★★Dominion Theatre
THE DEVIL WEARS PRADA at the Dominion Theatre ★★★★★ “Crisp, dazzling, bold and brash” Back in 2003 a young woman was hired as a personal assistant to a very well-known editor-in-chief for ‘Vogue’ magazine. When Dame Anna Wintour (for it was she) learned that a novel (reportedly earning its author
“Once glanced at by someone moderately famous”