This festive season, London’s theatres are calling for your support to keep the magic alive and create unforgettable memories for families.
London: Even if you’re feeling a bit like Bob Cratchit this Christmas, it’s the perfect time to treat your family to something special.
A show is always a delight, especially during the holidays when theatre really shines. Sure, it’s great all year, but there’s something magical about the festive season.
Theatre brings folks together, fills them with joy, and leaves them hopeful. This December, London has an amazing lineup — from the cozy Old Vic’s A Christmas Carol to the uplifting Ballet Shoes at the National. Plus, you’ve got stars like Lily Collins in Barcelona and Ncuti Gatwa in The Importance of Being Earnest.
And let’s not forget the classic pantomime. It’s a joyful, sometimes cheeky tradition that keeps many theatres thriving. As the saying goes, no panto, no Pinter! It’s fun, inclusive, and can spark a lifelong love for theatre in kids.
Take Aladdin at the Lyric, for example. It’s wonderfully silly and funny, with fantastic performances. There’s nothing like being surrounded by kids cheering for the heroes and booing the villains. The excitement is contagious! Theatres from Hackney Empire to the Palladium are always a hit with festive fun. Just yesterday, I caught my friend Lyn Paul in Dick Whittington at The Theatre Royal Windsor, and it was a blast! The kids were absolutely mesmerized.
But it’s not just about the fun; it’s your duty as a Londoner to support the theatre this time of year, just like you would your local shops or pubs. Even though theatres have shown resilience (attendance in 2022 was up over 7% from 2019), they still need our support to keep the magic alive.
Don’t take our London shows for granted!
Year after year, Britain proves it’s a leader in performance and creativity. But don’t forget about our London shows. Recently, YouGov found that only one in five people had been to a show. Let’s hope that changes this Christmas! Sure, ticket prices can be steep, especially during a cost-of-living crisis, but theatre can offer families a unique festive experience.
As an actor, performing during Christmas has a special vibe. Backstage, we often chat about the audience’s mood. “Oh, they’re a tough crowd tonight!” or “What a lovely bunch!” — and during the holidays, it’s usually the latter.
My first professional gig was in The Wind in the Willows at the Chichester Festival Theatre during the festive season. I was just nine, and I remember the pride of opening my first pay packet. I earned £3 a show, which meant I could buy my own Christmas gifts, however small. Theatre during this time always feels extra special to me.
As an audience member, there’s nothing quite like settling into your seat, surrounded by the buzz of an excited crowd. It’s a unique kind of magic. Everyone’s there, united by their love for theatre, focused on the unfolding story.
And let’s appreciate the theatres themselves. Their stunning ceilings, elegant arches, and beautiful details make you feel like you’re inside a giant wedding cake.
If we don’t support these beautiful venues designed by greats like CJ Phipps and Frank Matcham, they could fall into disrepair. They are sacred spaces filled with echoes of past performances.
The ephemeral nature of theatre is what makes it so captivating. So, make an effort to catch a show this Christmas. If we don’t support them, the art form will suffer, and we’ll all miss out.
One of my favorite directors, Sean Mathias, put it perfectly: “In a time when the unknown is the new norm, there’s no better tonic than living in the moment. So be spontaneous and go see some live theatre this Christmas. Lift your spirits and enjoy the ride because nothing enchants like great theatre!”
As for me, I’ve just booked tickets to see Sigourney Weaver as Prospero in The Tempest at the Theatre Royal Drury Lane. I can’t wait, especially since it has one of my favorite lines: “Our revels now are ended… we are such stuff as dreams are made on.”
I’ll also be heading to a local am-dram production of an Alan Ayckbourn play starring my GP Uncle Mark, who does it all for free.
There’s a rich variety of shows waiting to be enjoyed this Christmas… Long live theatre!
Honeysuckle Weeks is an actress