Christmas pantomimes in London

Even though the London Palladium’s Christmas pantos have only actually been running since 2016, the core team now seem pretty much inseparable: you get Julian Clarey being smutty, you get Paul Zerdin doing some ventriloquist malarkey, you get Nigel Havers doing an ironic Nigel Havers impression, and you get reaktive newcomer (he missed the 2016 show) Gary Wilmot on daming duty. This year they’re back with ‘Goldilocks and the Three Bears’, a somewhat off-piste choice that's rarely adapted into panto format.  It’ll probably pull it off on sheer star power, though: Paul O’Grady (who previously did the 2016 panto) is back to star as The Evil Ringmaster (yeah, us neither) with Clarey as The Ringmaster, Paul Zerdin as Silly Billy, Nigel Havers as Daddy Bear and Gary Wilmot as Dame Betty Barnum, plus telly presenter Matt Baker as Joey the Clown. 

Hackney Empire's panto is the typically the cream of the crop, with its gorgeous traditional sets, best-in-the-biz dame Clive Rowe, and East London spin on time-honoured gags. They haven't announced if Rowe's on board yet, but otherwise it seems to be business as usual for Susie McKenna, the panto's longtime writer and director. For 2019, it's 'Dick Whittington and His Cat', a rag-to-riches story with a magical moggy at its heart. 

With original songs, an authentically East London feel and bargain basement prices, Theatre Royal Stratford East offers a panto experience to rival Hackney Empire's winning annual offering. This year, it's staging the story of a plucky lad, his cat, and their quest to make their fortune in London town. After penning the songs for several Stratford hit pantos in years gone by, Robert Hyman is back on board with a new collaborator, playwright David Watson. John Haidar directs.

Arguably London's edgiest panto, Lyric Hammersmith has landed on the winning formula of getting rising writing and directing talents to put a subversive spin on their Christmas show. This year it's the turn of director Tinuke Craig and writer Jude Christian (returning after a stint on last year's show). Going on previous form, there's bound to be loads of pop songs, puns galore, a chorus of local young people, and a very 2019 approach to panto tradition.

Make Christmas more magical with a trip to one of London's many family-friendly Christmas shows. There's theatre big and bright enough to keep little ones enthralled and performances sweet and subtle enough to entertain the whole family. Find the one that all of your lot will love and book tickets so you don't miss out.