Christmas isn’t just for kids: come the festive season, London’s fringes fill up with adult pantomimes that are strictly 18-plus.
We’ve gathered them together here – plus also a selection of other shows running over the Christmas period that are aimed at adults but chime with the seasonal vibes, either in terms of being overtly Christmassy or simply offering a good times night out that chimes with the general vibes of the ‘party’ season. Obviously there’s lots of theatre running over Christmas that isn’t very Christmassy, but this list ignores regular plays and musicals and focusses on cabaret-style entertainments and – for want of a better term – shows you might go on a big Christmas night out to.
If you’re dicing with Santa’s naughty list this Christmas – this one’s for you!
RECOMMENDED: Find more Christmas shows in London
What is it? Now established as something like London’s flagship gay panto – it’s certainly the biggest – John Bradfield and Martin Hooper’s annual innuendo-fest returns to Charing Cross Theatre for the festive season.
Where is it? Charing Cross Theatre.
What is it? Islington’s cult panto is back for a third year on the trot and remains balanced between the naughty and nice, with a drag queen-powered cast and special adults only evening editions where the adventures of Dick and his cat pitch over into the 18-plus rated. RuPaul’s Drag Race UK favourites Victoria Scone and River Medway star in both versions, which are written and directed by Andrew Pollard. Be very clear which version you’re booking for!
Where is it? King’s Head Theatre.
What is it? Sequels are a relative rarity in theatre, for all sorts of reasons. But after spoofing classic Christmas move Home Alone two years’ back, the creative team behind The Other Palace’s Homo Alone clearly couldn’t resist the open goal of spoofing its arguably even better sequel. Yes, Kevin McAllister (Thomas John Stocks) will indeed be lost in New York for Homo Alone 2: Yikes We Did It Again, which is basically a very naughty parody of the film, Trump cameo and all.
Where is it? The Other Palace.
What is it? Seemingly the naughty pantomime that was named Jack and His Giant Bigstalk a few years back, this year adult panto supremos The Entertainment Providers have changed the name to the time-honoured innuendo Jack Off the Beanstalk. It is, of course, a filthy riff on the time-honoured fairy story and panto mainstay Jack and the Beanstalk.
Where is it? Scala.
What is it? Having pretty much exhausted evey traditional pantomime plot with its tersely named but exuberent adult panto parodies, this year’s RVT seasonal outing Pulled is a riff on the story of King Arthur, specifically the story of the sword and the stone, which is cerftainly different. It’s written by Paul Joseph and Tim Benzie and directed by Tim McArthur.
Where is it? Royal Vauxhall Tavern
What is it? Legendary New York performance artist Taylor Mac – whose preferred pronoun is ‘judy’ – offers London a taste of judy’s Holiday Sauce, a subversive Christmas-themed cabaret desiged to challenge the rampant capitalism of the season, question the rituals of the holiday and cleverly reframe its classic songs. Although not as smutty as some ‘adult’ Christmas shows, Holiday Sauce is recommended for ages 16 and older.
Where is it? Soho Theatre Walthamstow.
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