PETER PAN
Fly away this Christmas on a spectacular journey of wonder and excitement into the magical world of Neverland. Following on from the hugely successful Cinderella last year, First Family Entertainment return with Peter Pan, another star-studded traditional pantomime full of family fun and festive cheer.
Come join Peter, Wendy and the Lost Boys on their swashbuckling adventure to save Tinkerbell from the villainous Captain Hook, his bumbling sidekick Smee and their crew of dastardly pirates. It will be a thrilling ride of laughter and joy that will captivate both young and old with stunning special effects, sumptuous sets, costumes and a good helping of fairy dust.
Wimbledon Theatre SW19. Times: Tuesday to Saturday evenings at 19.00 and matinees at 14.00. Sunday matinees at 13.00, 13.30, 17.00 and 17.30
No matinee performance on December 8
SLEEPING BEAUTY
Innovative director Phil Willmott, past master of Battersea Arts Centre's legendary Christmas shows, oversees "one hundred years of magic". Andrew Pollard writes the script and also gamely gets dollied up to play the Dame. Greenwich Theatre. Until 6th January.
THE ADVENTURES OF TOM THUMB
This modern retelling of the Grimm brothers' tale sees Tom Thumb as a bedridden 80-year-old, dreaming of escaping his nursing home for one last adventure with the fairy queen. Brought alive on stage as a tiny puppet and a fully-grown man, he sets about to prove his size - but as he recounts stories of hidden treasures, hungry giants and a jealous king, his family start to question the reality of his fairy-tale past.
With contemporary piano music by Galina Ustvolskaya, Ruth Crawford Seeger and Valentin Silvestrov performed by Elena Riu, and puppetry from Blue Scream Theatre (led by Finn Caldwell, last seen in Anthony Minghella's Madama Butterfly and Blind Summit's Low Life), this is music theatre that both big people and small people will love! A funny and moving drama - with the occasional cheeky one-liner for adults - about cherishing fantasy in a world of gloomy realities.
The Adventures of Tom Thumb was winner of a Scotsman's Fringe First Award at this year's Edinburgh Festival.
Running time: approx. 50 minutes.
Suitable for ages five and over.
Friday Saturday 23rd December to - Sunday 7th January 2007,
London venue: Purcell Room
THE SNOWMAN
This festive stage show is a children’s favourite. Based on Raymond Briggs’ classic tale it tells the story of a bond between a boy and his snowman who comes to life on Christmas Eve. The two embark on a series of magical adventures together ending at the North Pole, before flying home in time for Christmas morning.
London Venue: Peacock Theatre
Address: Portugal Street, WC2
Performances: 6th December to 7th January 2007
WATERSHIP DOWN
Lyric Hammersmith
When Fiver senses danger, a small band of rabbits make a hurried escape in search of safety - a high place, where they can spot enemies for miles around. They must stick together, be quick, and be cunning. But the real threat to their future is greater than a thousand enemies, and they will risk their lives to overcome it…
With giant bouncing lettuces, carrot pogo sticks, martial arts and live music, this heart-warming, triumphant adventure will have the whole family on the edge of their seats! Until 23 January
JACK AND THE BEANSTALK
Boycie and Marlene (John Challis and Sue Holderness) from Only Fools and Horses join forces with Aled "Walking in the Air" Jones for vegetable-related shenanigans. Expect Richmond to dish up lavish sets. Richmond Theatre
8 December to 21 January .
DICK WHITTINGTON AND HIS CAT
As posh as panto is going to get this year. Controversial playwright Mark Ravenhill - a selfproclaimed fan of the "It's behind yous" - gives us his for-allthefamily take on those streets paved with gold. Barbican Theatre
Until 20 January
