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29 November 2022 1:19 PM

The best UK theatre to see in December 2022

From the classic White Christmas to the cheeky Who’s Holiday! Simon Button rounds up December’s must-sees.

By Simon Button

Simon Button wraps up must-see theatre this December
Simon Button wraps up must-see theatre this December (Image: Damien Frost)

Circus 1903

Circus 1903
Circus 1903 (Image: Provided)

Roll up, roll up as Circus 1903 returns to London at the newly refurbished Eventim Apollo. With ringmaster David Williamson hosting proceedings, this turn-of-the-century extravaganza features jugglers, acrobats, contortionists, and life-sized elephant puppets from the team behind War Horse. Oh, and there are a couple of strongmen flexing their muscles in what we hope will be minimal clothing.

Circus 1903 plays at the Eventim Apollo from 15 December to 1 January. Get tickets here.

Bugsy Malone

The cast of Bugsy Malone
The cast of Bugsy Malone (Image: Pamela Raith Photography)

Ally Pally is transformed into Fat Sam’s Grand Slam speakeasy as the family-friendly musical arrives for the festive season with what, if production images are anything to go by, is a buffer than usual cast. Rival gangs in 1920s New York will be battling it out on stage to a tuneful score and custard pies galore. Let’s just hope they don’t point those splurge guns at the audience.

Bugsy Malone plays at Alexandra Palace from 3 December to 15 January. Get tickets here.

Orlando

Emma Corrin in Orlando
Emma Corrin in Orlando (Image: Damien Frost)

Having recently called for gender-neutral awards categories and more representation for non-binary, trans, and queer people, Emma Corrin stars as the hero/heroine of Virginia Woolf’s way-ahead-of-its-time tale in Neil Bartlett’s new stage adaptation. Corrin plays a young nobleman in the court of Queen Elizabeth I who travels through time, taking on new identities and transforming into a young woman in a story that speaks to the present day more than Woolf could possibly have imagined.

Orlando plays at the Garrick Theatre until 25 February. Get tickets here.

Who’s Holiday!

Miz Cracker in Who's Holiday!
Miz Cracker in Who’s Holiday!

US Drag Race superstar Miz Cracker headlines an adults-only comedy about Cindy Lou Who, who takes us down memory lane as she recounts the twists and turns her life has taken since she first met the Grinch. A raunchy riff on Dr. Seuss’s evergreen classic, the Tuckshop production has been described as “a holiday offering that dirties up Christmas”. We’re in.

Who’s Holiday! plays at Home Manchester until 3 December, then Southwark playhouse from 7 December to 7 January. Get tickets here.

White Christmas 

The cast of White Christmas
The cast of White Christmas (Image: Ellie Kurttz)

Theatregoers in Sunderland and Liverpool are in for a snow-capped festive treat as the all-singing/all-dancing musical extravaganza continues its UK tour with Strictly champ Jay McGuinness pairing up with stage veteran Dan Burton as performers bringing a bit of Christmas cheer to Vermont. Also in the cast is Lorna Luft, who is forever in our hearts thanks to Grease 2.

White Christmas is touring until 31 December. Get tickets here.

Mother Goose

Mother Goose starring Sir Ian McKellen and John Bishop
Mother Goose starring Sir Ian McKellen and John Bishop (Image: Provided)

Does any octogenarian actor know how to kick up his heels with as much gusto as Ian McKellen? He’s signed on to keep the panto spirit going all the way through to next Easter as the title character in Jonathan Harvey’s sure-to-be-hilarious version of the fairy tale, ably supported by John Bishop as Mother Goose’s husband Vic and the always brilliant Anna-Jane Casey, who stepped in when Mel Giedroyc had to pull out for personal reasons.

Mother Goose is playing at the Theatre Royal Brighton from 3 to 11 December, the Duke of York’s theatre from 15 December to 29 January, then touring the UK until 1 April. Get tickets here.