Experience the Magic of Christmas in London’s Theatre
It’s that time of year when London’s theatre marquees are aglow with starry names and seasonal standards. The Nutcracker and A Christmas Carol are annual fixtures, while an array of musicals composed by renowned artists such as Rodgers & Hammerstein and Stephen Sondheim prove particularly popular with theatre lovers during the Yuletide season. There’s also a variety of plays, some sticking to a strict Christmas theme, while others explore broader narratives. Top picks for this season include the West-End transfer of The Motive and The Cue, directed by Sam Mendes and penned by Jack Thorne, alongside the fringe production of She Stoops to Conquer at the Orange Tree Theatre featuring Tanya Reynolds.
The Best Christmas Shows in London
Stephen Sondheim’s Old Friends
Into the Woods, Company, and A Little Night Music are just a few hits from the illustrious composer-lyricist Stephen Sondheim. This concert celebration, devised and produced by Cameron Mackintosh, makes a return for a special 16-week run during the festive season after a successful debut in May 2022. Broadway stars Bernadette Peters and Lea Salonga headline this revue-style show, accompanied by performers such as Clare Burt, Janie Dee, and Bradley Jaden. Directed by Matthew Bourne along with Julia McKenzie, the narrative-free performance showcases Sondheim’s timeless music through a series of solos, duets, and group numbers, all supported by The Sondheim Orchestra.
Address: Gielgud Theatre, Shaftesbury Avenue, London, W1D 6AR
Price: Tickets from £30
Dates: Available until 6 January 2024
The Motive and The Cue
After a sold-out run at the National Theatre, Johnny Flynn, Mark Gatiss, and Tuppence Middleton reprise their roles as Richard Burton, John Gielgud, and Elizabeth Taylor in this engaging play about the theatre, directed by Sam Mendes. This production offers a fascinating insight into the making of Burton and Gielgud’s 1964 experimental Broadway production of Hamlet, with Jack Thorne’s script drawing inspiration from Letters from an Actor by William Redfield and John Gielgud Directs Richard Burton in Hamlet by Richard L. Stern. The play delves into rehearsal room dynamics and the debate between modernism and classicism, with plenty of wit and emotional depth, ensuring a dramatic night at the theatre.
