What’s On this Week: 17th December – 24th
The Tempest
The stranger and his daughter live alone on a remote island. Some people say he’s an artist. Others say he practises magic. But today is different.
Prospero spots his oldest enemies passing close by in a fragile boat, and he conjures up a storm that will change all of their lives forever.
The Tempest opened in March 2020 to critical acclaim but was cut short after just six performances. Eighteen months later, it sets sail again with Michael Pennington, one of the foremost Shakespearean actors of his generation, finally donning Prospero’s cloak once more.
Until December 22
Jermyn Street Theatre
Dick Whittington
A tale of adventure, love and entertainment. Jump onboard for an action-packed, fun-filled journey with Dick Whittington as he seeks his fame and fortune in the glittering streets of London, to win the heart of the beautiful Alice and become Lord Mayor of London.
Chelsea Theatre and Rah Rah Theatre Company have joined together to present an inventive and magical panto full of toe-tapping, sing-along songs and audience interaction with laugh-out-loud comedy for audiences of all ages.
Until December 24
Chelsea Theatre
Circus 1903
Expect acrobats, contortionists, trapeze artists, a death-defying high-wire act and sensational life-sized elephants, created by the puppeteers behind War Horse.
All this entertainment is packaged into a show with a gorgeous vintage feel, inspired by the classic circuses of the turn-of-the-century era.
And there’s great news if you’re lucky enough to have experienced the thrill of Circus 1903 before: there are new acts included for this season.
Until January 2
Royal Festival Hall
Beauty and The Beast Family Pantomime
The show tells the story of a Prince who is cursed by an Enchantress and turned into a Hairy Beast.
Will he find true love and reverse the curse? Will village girl Belle be able to see his true heart under his beastly appearance? All will be revealed.
Featuring all the ingredients of a traditional pantomime including big song and dance numbers, side-splitting comedy, lots of audience participation and a huge sprinkling of pantomime magic this is a show that will delight young and old.
Dick & Dom and Derek Griffiths will be starring in this year’s pantomime.
Until January 2
Fairfield Halls
Sleeping Beauty
Musical theatre and TV star Lee Mead will star as The Prince alongside theatre and dance phenomenon Bonnie Langford as The Good Fairy.
Once upon a time in a land far away, the beautiful Princess Aurora is given a sixteenth birthday present by her evil godmother Carabosse.
By pricking her finger on an enchanted spinning wheel she is placed under a cruel curse and forced to sleep for 100 years.
Can true love survive and the handsome Prince Charming break the spell? Can Aurora’s hilarious best friend Muddles help save the town and who will outwit the evil Enchantress and foil her wicked plans?
Until January 2
Churchill Theatre
Hex
Deep in the wood, a lonely fairy longs for someone to bless.
When she is summoned to the palace to help the princess sleep, her dream turns into a nightmare and her blessing becomes a curse.
Soon, she is plunged into a frantic, hundred-year quest to somehow make everything right.
Rosalie Craig plays the fairy in this vividly original retelling of Sleeping Beauty: a mythic, big-hearted new musical that goes beyond the waking kiss.
Until January 22
National Theatre
Best of Enemies
It is 1968 – a year of protest that divided America. As two men fight to become the next President, all eyes are on the battle between two others – the cunningly conservative William F Buckley Jr., and the iconoclastic liberal Gore Vidal.
Beliefs are challenged and slurs slung as these political idols feud nightly in a new television format, debating the moral landscape of a shattered nation.
Little do they know they’re about to open up a new frontier in American politics, and transform television news forever.
Charles Edwards plays Gore Vidal and David Harewood plays William F. Buckley Jr.
Until January 22
The Young Vic
Bring It On
The smash-hit Broadway cheerleading musical backflips into the UK, starring Amber Davies and Olympic gymnast Louis Smith.
Inspired by the film of the same name, Bring It On: The Musical takes you on a high-flying, high-energy journey tackling friendship, jealousy, betrayal and forgiveness – wrapped up in explosive choreography and tricks.
Cheer-royalty and newly crowned Squad Captain, Campbell, should be embarking on her most cheertastic senior year at Truman High School.
When she’s forced to move to the neighbouring hard-knock Jackson High, Campbell fears her life is over.
But an unlikely friendship catapults Campbell back into contention, with a powerhouse squad and the fire to achieve the impossible.
Until January 22
Queen Elizabeth Hall
Womxn of Colour Art Award Exhibition: Altitude
Altitude features the work of WoCAA winner Maybelle Peters as well as 7 artists WoCAA finalists currently working in the UK. Some are early-career practitioners just starting to find their voice whilst others have established studio practices.
This poignant, immersive and timely show celebrates the fact that these artists are continuing to make art. As such, Altitude is holding the space for artists to question audiences as well as facilitate the emergence of new aesthetic narratives for womxn of colour.
Curator Marlene Smith has selected an exciting range of new and recent artworks including drawing, print, photography, textiles, sound, film and performance.
December 17 to February 26
198 Contemporary Arts & Learning
Pop Brixton Christmas Market
The Festive edition of Make Shift Creates brings a brand new pop up market, hosted in collaboration with Brixton Village and Pop Brixton.
The December Markets will showcase the best independent local makers and creators from the area – perfect for the gift giving season.
The market will span across two locations; Pop Brixton and Brixton Village (Granville Arcade). Weaved together with DJs, live activities and plenty of mulled drinks.
December 19
Pop Brixton and Brixton Village
Swingin’ Christmas
Following the Len Phillips Swing Orchestra’s ‘100 Years of Big Band’ tour which culminated in a standing ovation at Cadogan Hall in September, they are taking their show a ‘Swingin’ Christmas’ to Fairfield Halls, Croydon.
Featuring singers Gary Williams and Louise Cookman.
December 21
Fairfield Halls
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