Hansel and Gretel 

The Globe

And the snow – these are such white marshmallows, made from the white feathers of a heavenly goose! Did you know?.. The show “Hansel and Gretel” at Shakespeare’s “Globe” theater is a modern interpretation of the classic fairy tale by the Brothers Grimm. Poet Simon Armitage, author of more than 20 poetry collections, a Knight of the Order of the British Empire for services to literature, and recipient of the Queen’s Gold Medal for poetry, has tied the old tale to harsh reality, but the magic has not diminished. Director Nick Bagnall filled the play with poetry and songs. The famous story unfolds against the backdrop of a war-torn village: parents, trying to save their children, leave Hansel and Gretel in the forest. But the heavy theme is not pedaled in the production – the play is intended for an audience over five years old. Oh, what delightful sweets, what giant appetizing candies! These are the children who found a trail of treats leading to a house made of sweets, where a kind old woman lives. So kind, so kind!!! In addition to the actual play, the “Globe” offers viewers of different ages special workshops, where each participant can try themselves in the role of an actor. Two years ago, this play was recommended by the London press among the best New Year’s-Christmas shows in the city.

The Snowman

Peacock Theatre 

The traditional The Snowman has become a favorite family show for many Londoners. The play has been around for no less than twenty-seven years! In a theatrical tradition where plays flash and disappear almost instantly, this is a unique life. The play is written based on the famous book by Raymond Briggs and the film of the same name by Dianne Jackson. Fluffy and dazzlingly white like a Maltese puppy snowman, with a hilariously funny nose and a funny scarf around his neck, becomes friends with a little boy. Traditional checkered pajamas, a refrigerator, a motorcycle, snow-covered trees, a dancing penguin – through all this, the snowman whisks the boy away to the North Pole. Their amazing journey is filled with fun adventures and, of course, live (on stage – an orchestra) music by Howard Blake, including the famous song “Walking in the Air.” Director Bill Alexander and choreographer Robert North created a light and engaging show, bright and very danceable. An hour and fifty minutes is a considerable time for a children’s play, but it will definitely not be boring.

Oliver! 

Gielgud Theatre 

The long-awaited premiere at Gielgud Theatre: the musical “Oliver!” based on the novel “The Adventures of Oliver Twist” by Charles Dickens finally starts showing after a long advertising campaign. All the metro was draped with the portrait of a sad boy, who silently pleaded with his eyes to buy tickets – and he succeeded – there are only a few tickets left, hurry up. The classic musical by Lionel Bart is adapted for 2024 by Cameron Mackintosh. Note – the choreography here is by Matthew Bourne himself! Luxurious costumes (just one colorful parrot jacket of Fagin is worth it!) twilight, blue, lilac Victorian fog, pierced by the golden light of lanterns – the spectacle is delightfully beautiful. And, of course, the main hits, after which the hall explodes with ovations – “Food Glorious Food”, “Consider Yourself” and “You’ve Got to Pick-a-Pocket or Two”. The play has several homages to the famous film, but overall it is an absolutely independent modern work. And the stars of the musical were not without: Simon Lipkin plays Fagin, Shanay Holmes – Nancy, Aaron Sidwell – Bill Sykes. But if you have a sensitive child – first tell him the plot or watch the movie (or – read together the immortal novel by Dickens, perfect for winter evenings!) Remember that the text includes scenes of cruelty and the harsh realities of England the day before yesterday.

Nutcracker

English National Ballet

It is impossible not to recommend going to “The Nutcracker” before New Year and Christmas. How can you explain why? Well, because it’s real, distilled magic, it’s incredibly beautiful, it’s unforgettable, it’s just delightful. What other adjectives can you find for this ballet by Tchaikovsky?.. The choreography here is new, by the way. Not Lev Ivanov and Marius Petipa, but modern – by Aaron Watkins and Ariel Smith. More than a hundred dancers, a live orchestra, colorful decorations in this production based on the fairy tale “The Nutcracker and the Mouse King”. By the way, Tchaikovsky used not the original – Hoffmann’s tale, but its adaptation “The Story of the Nutcracker” which belongs to the pen of Alexandre Dumas – in his version, the story became more joyful, more optimistic. And it’s strange today, when Tchaikovsky’s music and his ballet have become a cult fetish of December holidays, to imagine that contemporaries did not rate this work too highly, calling it too long, and even – tasteless. Where, you ask, were their eyes? In short, hurry for tickets and choose your outfit – going to “The Nutcracker” is a real hymn to theatricality.

My Neighbour Totoro 

Gillian Lynne Theatre 

“To-toro-to-to-ro-ro!” – the hall sings along. Yes, “Totoro” has returned to London. This is a perfectly transferred to the theatrical stage story from Miyazaki’s animated film. This is a real theatrical miracle – the atmosphere of the animated film is completely preserved, completely unharmed. A truck, loaded to the brim with heavy things, dad and his daughters, a cornfield. And into this quite mundane (but very beautiful!) life – a fabulous story is built in. Black soot sprites, susuwatari, soot spirits, scurry around the attic – the most real ones, and the catbus, and, of course, Totoro himself – the guardian of the forest, mighty, soft, and kind spirit. It seems that “Totoro” has already been seen by all of London, but no – tickets are again vanishingly few.