Top pantomimes to see in London this festive season 2024

We are reaching peak Panto season and this week we had the opportunity to attend two fairytale classics turned on their heads - Peter Pan at The Phoenix Theatre in the West End and Cinderella at The King’s Head Theatre, Islington

The beloved British tradition is for some an annual Christmas time event, ranging from adult only performances to a more family affair with tongue in cheek innuendo that usually goes over the heads of younger audience members but gives the adults in the room a good opportunity to laugh out loud.

For children it is a great first theatre experience as there is no need to sit silently and audience interaction is welcome and costumes are always colourful and outrageously over the top..Some brief training for young first timers on some classic phrases like: “He’s behind you”, “Oh no he isn’t.”, “Oh yes he is.” and they’ll be good to go.

I am not British and wouldn’t dare claim to be an expert on this genre of theatre but am purely basing my review on how cheery one feels at the end of the evening and how much laughter and fun was had. Surely that would be a fair measure of a successful pantomime. Mind, the bar is high as the only Pantomime I have seen was the standard bearer shown annually at The Palladium. In 2016, I saw Cinderella the year the panto starred, Julian Clary, the late Paul O’Grady, Amanda Holden & Nigel Havers with the crème de la crème of costumes, props and staging. Hard to beat.

Below is our guide to pantomimes to see in London during the festive season. Beware – the first two pantos in our selection are very much adult-only, but the King’s Theatre’s Cinderella is showing mostly the family-friendly version, with two more adult-only shows left. At the end, you will find our recommendations for pantos suitable for the whole family.

Cinderella at King’s Head Theatre

L to R Joseph Lukehurst and Maddy Erzan-Essien. Image credit CharlieFlint.

#FLODown: Cinderella, written and directed by award-winner Andrew Pollard, is a vibrant and imaginative pantomime filled with humour, music, and clever twists on the classic fairy tale. The production features a stellar cast, including voiceovers by Dame Judi Dench, Miriam Margolyes, and Sue Pollard, with standout performances from Maddy Erzan-Essien as Cinderella and Lucia Vinyard as the pun-filled Fairy Codmother. Hilarious villains Peckham (Ella Vaday) and Dalston bring sharp wit.  With both family-friendly performances and cheeky adult-only versions, it’s a festive and entertaining experience. Click here for our full review of the Cinderella.

Date: until 5 January 2025. Remaining Adult only shows: 23 & 30 December 2024.  Location: King’s Head Theatre, 166 Upper Street, London N1Y 1QN. Run Time: 2 hours including interval.  Price: From £10 - £38.   Book now.

TuckShop's Peter Pan, Phoenix Theatre review

Ophelia Love & Richard Energy in Peter Pan.

Tuckshop’s Peter Pan at the Phoenix Theatre is a raucous, adult-only drag pantomime filled with strong language, sexual references, and camp humour. Created by Christopher Clegg and written by Gareth Joyner, the show features Ginger Johnson as Captain Hook, Kitty Scott-Claus as a posh Wendy, and Richard Energy as a cheeky Peter Pan. The plot strays far from the original, with nods to The Traitors, Drag Race, and Come Dine with Me, which thrilled fans but may leave others lost. Despite some sound issues and a low-budget set, the energetic performances, hilarious songs, and lively choreography made for an entertaining, if imperfect, night out.

Click here for our full review of TuckShop's Peter Pan.

Date: until 6 January 2025. Location: The Phoenix Theatre, Charing Cross Road, London WC2H 0JP. Price: From £25. Book now. (16+ only).

Our picks of child friendly performances

Robin Hood – The London Palladium

Julian Clary and Jane McDonald in Robin Hood, © Paul Coltas.

#FLODown: From the creative team behind the last eight years of panto, expect a West End spectacle to remember. Legend and panto royalty Julian Clary is back for another Christmas panto at the Palladium with his indominable smutty  style comedy playing  opposite national treasure Jane MacDonald as Maid Marion. 

Date: until 12 January 2025. Location: The London Palladium, 8 Argyll Street, London W1F 7TF. Price: Off peak  from £20-£80, Peak from £80 - £175. Book now.

Slava’s Snow Show - Harold Pinter Theatre

Slava’s Snow Show, Harold Pinter Theatre. Image credit: Veronique Vial.

#FLODown: Witness a show that revives the art of clowning, drawing in those who've turned away from the circus tents of old. Slava's Snow Show is a cavalcade of chaos and charm that invites you to leave the everyday behind and indulge in pure, unadulterated delight.

Date: until 12 January 2024. Location: Harold Pinter Theatre, Panton Street, London SW1Y 4DN 29. Run Time: 1h40 incl. Interval. Price: from £24.50 Adults. Book now. 

Dick Whittington and his Cat - Hackney Empire

Clive Rowe as Sarah the Cook and the Dick Whittington and his Cat Ensemble. Image Credit: Mark Senior.

#FLODown: A joyful reimagining of this classic rags to riches tale, featuring all your favourite pantomime ingredients. From an unbelievable cast to extravagant costumes, audience participation to sensational song and dance numbers. Starring Clive Rowe as Sarah the Cook

Date: until 5 January 2025. Location: Hackney Empire 291 Mare Street, London E8 1EJ. Run time: 2h30 incl.  20 min interval. Price: From £29.20 Adults, £27.20 concessions. Book now.

Words by Natascha Milsom