Searching for entertainment this Christmas? Want somewhere to spend an enjoyable evening? London has some brilliant festive shows designed to appeal to all tastes and interests.
Ballet fans will adore the enchanting performances of The Nutcracker at the Royal Opera House. This is a perennial favourite showing little Clara and the Nutcracker fighting the rat king, and traveling to the Kingdom of Sweets to Tchaikovsky’s famous score. It’s sumptuous, stunning and incredible nostalgic. Prefer a different ballet? Watch Raymond Briggs’s The Snowman come to life on the stage at Sadlers Wells complete with shimmering woodlands, dancing penguins and magical reindeer! Alternatively try versions of Hans Christian Andersons classic stories of The Red Shoes and the Little Match Girl at Sadlers Wells and the Lillian Baylis Theatre respectively. At Covent Garden, the Royal Ballet is set to woo audiences with a wonderful version The Sleeping Beauty. Book in early to a place in central London like Serviced Apartments Central London to see some exceptional performances
Christmas wouldn’t be Christmas with a pantomime. These incredibly silly comic versions of fairy stories are very much a feature of British life. This is very clean, childish and sometimes over the top fun yet with jokes which can often be taken two ways suiting adults as well. Most pantomimes feature celebrities and top actors who just enjoy having some fun. Expect lots of calls of “He’s behind you’ as the bad guy enters the stage, and pantomime dames wearing the most extravagant dresses. Head over to Wilton’s Music Hall in the East End for a rendition of Mother Goose, while the newly refurbished Hoxton Hall is thowing open its doors to tell the story of Little Red Riding Hood and the wolf.
Also in the East End is the Hackney Empire with its version of Sleeping Beauty. Judging by previous extravagenzas, visitors can expect lots of high octane dancing, never-ending action and a surreal atmosphere. Over at the Theatre Royal, Stratford East you can sit back and enjoy the tale of Sinbad the Sailor complete with travels to magical lands and mysterious places, encountering demons and impossible tasks.
The London Palladium is putting on a pantomime for the first time in thirty years and has created a lavish retelling of Cinderella. Celebrities abound here with people like Nigel Havers, Julian Clary, Amanda Holden and Paul O’Grady taking part. This is bound to be extremely popular so be sure to book tickets early! Head over to the Lyric Hammersmith from your hotel room at Presidential Apartments Kensington for performances of Aladdin in which a boy, genie and magic carpet aid a pretty princess.
But perhaps you want something more adult? Just remember that London is a city of theatres and the West End houses some of the greatest shows to be seen. Among the top ten musicals being performed every night in London are The Lion King, Les Miserables, Phantom of the Opera, Wicked, Thriller and Mamma Mia. Whatever your choice, a great night out is guaranteed while a resident at Holiday Apartments London.
