CHRISTMAS CAROLS 

A Christmas Carol | Hoxton Hall | 21-23 Dec (pictured)
Oh my goodness, how on earth did we get so far into December? It’s nearly Christmas! So I think this week we really can’t help but have another set of Scroogy tips. First up, let’s head to Hoxton Hall for Dickens Theatre Company’s returning and slightly different ‘Carol’ that sees the cast of a production stuck on a train, so Dickens himself, and his tour manager, are forced to perform the story alone. More here. 

A Christmas Carol | Tabard Theatre | 20-24 Dec
From a two-man ‘Carol’ to two one-man ‘Carols’, which – as you’ll know if you saw our recent section entirely devoted to them – are many and popular. So popular that you will need to act quickly to get yourself a ticket, I reckon. This one over at the Tabard is by stage and screen star Clive Francis, whose acclaimed performance is inspired by Dickens’ own first reading of the novella back in December 1853. Click here to book. 

A Christmas Carol | The Space | 22 Dec
One final one, then: if you’re not a fan of this famous tale, you can rest easy after this, as it’s almost definitely our final ‘Scrooge’ tip of the year. But this last recommendation is for a Fringe theatre legend that we do love, so I’m glad we’re finishing with it. This is Guy Masterson’s extremely celebrated version and it’s a fundraising performance so there’s more than one way in which it will warm your heart. Quick, book here. 

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FUNNY STUFF 

Angel Comedy Christmas Comedy Festival | The Bill Murray | 20-23 Dec
Well, if there’s one thing I like to do at Christmas – in addition to putting up fairy lights, eating dried-fruit based confections and hanging out with loved ones – it’s doing some laughing. So I thought we’d do some comedic recommendations. This one’s a three day festival courtesy of the excellent Angel Comedy, with a number of different events with great line-ups. Find all the event listings here. 

Helen Bauer: Bless Her | Soho Theatre | 17-20 Dec (pictured)
“Helen is back and is struggling. She has spent the last year being forced to hang out with someone she doesn’t like and who honestly does not like her”. Yes, I know, that doesn’t sound like a barrel of laughs. But I assure you that Helen Bauer’s excellent show – which won many friends at edfringe 2025 – will be very funny, as well as exploring some rather difficult stuff. Head to the venue website here for more info. 

We Lost The File! | Old Red Lion Theatre | 18-20 Dec
Hey, theatre types, here’s a funny play for you, and it’s also set against the backdrop of an office Christmas party, so it’s topical. That said, the action focuses on uninvited admins Tyler and Dusty, who are stuck in their basement office while everyone else is having fun. When the fat cats upstairs demand they deliver a file, they can’t find it, and chaos and farcical comedy ensues. More here.

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RHYTHMICAL STUFF 

The Magic Flute | The Place | 17-24 Dec (pictured)
By rhythmical we mean stuff with dancing and/or music in it, just in case that wasn’t clear. This first one is a family show from Luca Silvestrini’s Protein Dance and is, as you’ve probably gathered, a dance-theatre adaptation of the Mozart opera. It’s suitable for small ones aged five plus, and their grown ups, and promises “dancing, storytelling, singing and stunning visuals”. Click here to book your tickets.

Lost The Plot: An Improvised Musical | Omnibus Theatre | 20 Dec
And now, for those of you who enjoy musicals, we have a pair of them, although neither are exactly along traditional lines. For yes, this show is an improvised musical, all made up on the spot by an experienced band of improvisers. And, luckily for you, if you can’t make this particular show because it’s busy season, these guys are doing a monthly performance for the next few months. Info here.

Die Hard Xmas: The Parody Musical | Museum Of Comedy | 19-20 Dec
You know that argument everyone is always having about whether ‘Die Hard’ is a Christmas film? Well, stop having it right now and instead go see this parody musical, because I guarantee it will be far more fun. It’s a well loved production and you can, of course, expect lots of laughter and filmy nostalgia, as terrorists seize Nakatomi Plaza and it’s up to Mr McClane to save the day. Head to this page here for more. 

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LONGER RUN CATCH UP 

Cockfosters | Southwark Playhouse Borough | until 3 Jan 
Okay, we now have two sections of shows that are on until January, and which have all been running for a while already, but which I didn’t have time or space to mention in earlier Three To See editions and had to tearfully cull. First up is ‘Cockfosters’ at Southwark Playhouse Borough, a very funny and acclaimed play that’s back by popular demand. Head to the venue website here for more. 

The Rivals | Orange Tree Theatre | until 24 Jan 
And from something relatively new to something kind of old – a staging at the Orange Tree Theatre of Sheridan’s classic Eighteenth Century play ‘The Rivals’. It’s not set in the 1700s, though, this version – it’s still set in Bath, but in the 1920s, which is rather fun – and it has a lovely cast led by the excellent pairing of Robert Bathurst and Patricia Hodge. Check this page here for more. 

Revenge: After Levoyah | Soho Theatre | until 24 Jan (pictured)
“Malcolm Spivak’s had enough. He corners twins Dan and Lauren, fresh from their grandfather’s funeral, with a proposition: help him kidnap Jeremy Corbyn. Yes, really. What follows is a chaotic Jewish heist comedy that blends madcap comedy and biting political satire”. Another already-critically acclaimed success, this one with a run at edfringe behind it. See the Soho Theatre website here for info and to book. 

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LONGER RUN CATCH UP FAMILY EDITION 

Scrunch | Unicorn Theatre | until 4 Jan
Right, same principle here – shows that got away from me the week they started – but this time it’s for the kids. And we definitely want stuff for the kids to see right? It’s Christmas, after all. First up is one for teeny weeny tots aged strictly six to eighteen months, and it’s a multi-sensory show that focuses on the best part of Christmas… “the crumpling, rumpling and scrunching of all that glorious wrapping paper!” Click here. 

The Railway Children | Tabard Theatre | until 3 Jan
I freaking love ‘The Railway Children’, I grew up reading and re-reading the book, as well as watching and weeping over the film, so I highly approve of this, obv. It’s a new adaptation from Louise Haddington, and of course tells of the adventures of the uprooted trio of Roberta, Peter and Phyllis: as the blurb says, “a joyful and moving tale that celebrates family and community”. All the details here. 

Pinocchio | Puppet Theatre Barge | until 18 Jan (pictured)
A lovely version of ‘Pinocchio’, this, in which puppetry, shadows and illusion combine with specially composed music to tell the well loved tale. Steve Tiplady, as Gepetto, uses the objects found in a carpenter’s workshop: “Pinocchio is carved on stage, brushes become a fox and the shadow of two saws transforms into a giant shark”. Suitable for ages four to ten, see this page here for more info and to book. 

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MORE GREAT STUFF 

The Highgate Vampire | Omnibus Theatre | 16-30 Dec (pictured)
This is actually another show that I meant to recommend last week, but it somehow disappeared from the list. In any case, it’s only just beginning, so it’s possibly not the end of the world. It’s a riotous dark comedy about something horrifying stalking the streets of London, “a creature with blazing red eyes, sucking the life out of all who cross its path”. Find out more about it right about here. 

Wishes | Libra Theatre Cafe | 17-21 Dec
Another Christmassy show, in that it’s set during the festive season, but also, it’s at a venue where you can get mulled wine and stuff like that. The action takes place on Christmas Eve in an Accident And Emergency unit, where Adam is unfortunately stuck waiting alongside an overly friendly character – expect it to take you on “a journey filled with laughter, tears and self-discovery”. More here. 

Ciderella | Pleasance Theatre | 22-23 Dec
“A local amateur dramatics theatre company want to perform the classic Cinderella, but one of the team misses out the ‘n’ on the marketing materials and can’t afford to reprint the posters. Will the team crack under pressure or deliver the performance of their lives?” One last festive offering, an adult Christmas show with a twist, written and directed by the excellent Laura Horton. Book here.