Deck the stalls! 20 of the UK’s best festive theatre shows

The Jolly Christmas Postman

Royal and Derngate theatre, Northampton, 7-31 December

Adapted from the children’s book by Janet and Allan Ahlberg, this production finds the cheery postie cycling through the snow to deliver his sack of Christmas parcels. As well as dropping in on friends and family, there are brushes with Red Riding Hood, Humpty Dumpty, the Gingerbread Man and the Big Bad Wolf, alongside original songs by Darren Clark.

The Little Mermaid

Bristol Old Vic, 5 December–11 January

Hans Christian Andersen’s tale about a magical sea creature is reimagined as a story about climate crisis by writer Sonali Bhattacharyya, with the mermaid out to save wilting coral and kelp from dangerously warming seas. Directed by Olivier award winner Miranda Cromwell, it has the added magic of aerial performances along with live music.

Robin Hood and the Christmas Heist

Rose theatre, Kingston, 30 November-5 January

This reimagining by award-winning writer Chris Bush gives a topical spin to the tale. Austerity has hit Sherwood, which leaves bare cupboards for citizens whose Sheriff is bleeding them dry. That is, until the legendary outlaw and his merry band turn up to give Christmas back to the poor.

Ballet Shoes

National Theatre, London, 23 November–22 February

Kendall Feaver’s adaptation of Noel Streatfeild’s bestseller features three adopted sisters and a house full of dinosaur bones. It is directed by Katy Rudd, who was at the helm of the National’s hit The Ocean at the End of the Lane, which transferred to the West End.

Little Shop of Horrors

Crucible theatre, Sheffield, 7 December–18 January

If you’re looking for festive frights, this rock musical is likely to bring some chills. Based on the film by Roger Corman, about a florist’s assistant who grows plants that feed on human blood, it is staged by Amy Hodge, director of the feelgood, feminist musical Fantastically Great Women Who Changed the World.

101 Dalmatians

Oxford New Theatre, 3–7 December, and Brighton Theatre Royal, 17 December–5 January. Also touring before Christmas

Dodie Smith’s classic 1956 canine caper, adapted by Zinnie Harris, was a hit at Regent’s Park Open Air theatre in 2022. With cute canine puppetry and songs by Douglas Hodge, it is reimagined now with Kym Marsh, Faye Tozer and Kerry Ellis playing Cruella De Vil at different venues.

The Scouse Red Riding Hood

Royal Court, Liverpool, 8 November–18 January

Christmas is coming but nan’s sciatica has flared up so it is down to Little Red and her friend, Big Blue, to get to her cottage with CBD oil and other essential supplies that will see her through the festive season. Created by the team that brought The Scouse Cinderella, among others, to town.

Mother Goose: The Rock’n’Roll Panto

Theatr Clwyd, Cardiff, 23 November–19 January

Rollicking panto returns to the venue’s redeveloped main theatre: expect rock, pop and soul tunes along with water pistols and big frocks. Panto dames include Phylip Harries as Gwladys Goose, Alice McKenna as Billie Eyelash and Georgina White as Suella De Rhyl.

Robin Hood

Palladium, London, 7 December–12 January

The Palladium’s annual pantomimes are as splashy as they come but what may set this one apart from other star-studded festive offerings is the presence of Charlie Stemp and Marisha Wallace. They are two of the most extraordinary musical talents out there who never disappoint.

A Christmas Carol

Sherman theatre, Cardiff, 22 November–4 January

Stage adaptations of Charles Dickens’ beloved festive ghost story are two a penny but this acclaimed version by Gary Owen, relocated to Wales, has proved itself to be a thing apart, with spectacular puppetry and a gender-reversed Ebenezer Scrooge. Hannah McPake reprises that role and Joe Murphy again directs.

Miracle at Number 34

Grand Opera House, Belfast, 5–31 December

This adult comedy in the venue’s studio is ideal for those who want to eschew family-led fare. Featuring a resident of the titular property, his care worker and his bucket list, it is the brainchild of Diona Doherty and Sean Hegarty, who have written previous hits here including Elf in Belfast and Home Malone.

Jeeves Takes Charge

Ustinov Studio, Bath, 6 December-4 January

This adaptation of PG Wodehouse’s butler comedy won an Olivier award in its original staging at the West End. It has since toured the world and is back in Britain for Christmas with Sam Harrison playing not just Jeeves and his master Wooster but all 22 characters in the story.

Mary: A Gig Theatre Show

Traverse theatre, Edinburgh, 19-21 December

Billed as a fresh, feminist retelling of the life story of Mary, Queen of Scots, this show blends folk-rock music with spoken word. Created by six up and coming theatre-makers, it was a sell-out during this year’s Edinburgh fringe and sounds like a lively alternative Christmas show.

Titanique

Criterion theatre, London, 9 December–2 March

A musical fantasia that reflects on the love story between Jack and Rose aboard the doomed Titanic via the Canadian singer Celine Dion, whose immense, goosebump-inducing vocals accompanied the Oscar-winning film. It has already won awards in New York and sounds like it has a winning mix of humour, heart, nostalgia and high camp.

The Snow Queen

Reading Rep, 29 November-31 December

This version of Hans Christian Andersen’s folktale is written by Anna Wheatley, filled with puppetry and performed by a cast of local actors. Set in the snowy wastes of Denmark and staged by the venue’s founding artistic director, Paul Stacey, it promises original music and plenty of Christmas magic too.

The Red Shoes

Swan theatre, Stratford-upon-Avon, 7 November–19 January

The original fairytale features a young girl seduced by the beauty of a pair of shoes and cursed to dance in them until she begs for her feet to be cut off. The RSC’s new version by Nancy Harris aims to bring that story into the 21st century with Nikki Cheung, a ballet, jazz and contemporary dance performer, in the central role.

The Creakers

Southbank Centre, London, 18 December-5 January

Billed as a magical musical adventure, this production has been adapted from singer-songwriter Tom Fletcher’s book about children who find themselves home alone, after all the grownups disappear from town one day. It played at Theatre Royal Plymouth in the autumn before this run.

Alice in Wonderland

Shakespeare North Playhouse, Prescot, 22 November–5 January

It is Christmas in Prescot and Alice returns to Wonderland as a mum in this quirky sequel to Lewis Carroll’s original tale, written by Nick Lane. Helen Carter plays the title role and there is plenty of song and music at the other end of the rabbit hole, with original composition and lyrics by Simon Slater.

The Three Musketeers

New Vic theatre, Newcastle -under-Lyme, 15 November– 25 January

Alexandre Dumas’s tale of friendship, treachery, sword-fighting adventure and derring-do is adapted by Teresa Heskins, the theatre’s artistic director who was behind the highly acclaimed Marvellous. This production promises to bring a classic springing to life in similarly spectacular style.

Treasure Island

Royal Lyceum Edinburgh, 28 November–4 January

This playful musical adaptation of Robert Louis Stevenson’s tale of buccaneers and buried gold is written by the Orkney-based playwright Duncan McLean. The action is set in a house of reformed pirates in north Edinburgh, who take off for the isles of Orkney in search of Captain Flint’s hidden fortune.