London Christmas Pantomimes 2022: All the shows you can still book tickets for including Jack & the Beanstalk

It’s a British Christmas tradition that sometimes gets side-glances from the rest of the world, but Pantomime Season in London has arrived in force. Venues across the capital are already confirming their chosen show during panto season; some traditional retellings while others taking poetic licence with the characters and the stories they frequent.

Part slapstick, part farce, with a traditionally generous helping of audience participation throughout, English pantomime was strongly influenced by popular theatre that arose in Italy in the 17th Century. Professionally trained actors travelled from province to province in Italy and then France, improvising and telling comedic stories that held lessons for the crowd, changing the main character depending on where they were performing to remain topical.

Such is the history of pantomime in the theatre that one of the stage’s most respected actors, Sir Ian McKellen, was quick to defend the artform upon news he would be touring the pantomime Mother Goose in 2022. “It uses every device theatre can offer” McKellen told The Independent upon the announcement of a tour. “There is singing, there is dancing, there is rhyme, there are jokes, there is sentiment, there is audience participation, there is a man dressed as a woman, a woman dressed as a goose.”

“Everything has gone haywire and it is all for the audience to have a good time. That is the only reason you do it.”

Londonworld takes a look at some of the panto’s confirmed for the 2022 Pantomime season, including ticketing links and dates when many of the beloved UK tradition will run to.

What Pantomimes are performing in London in 2022?

Jack and the Beanstalk - The London Palladium

• Venue address: 8 Argyll St, London W1F 7TF
• Dates: December 10 to January 15.

Comedy superstars Dawn French and Julian Clary lead the cast of a brand-new production of Jack and the Beanstalk at London’s iconic home of pantomime - the London Palladium.

The West End’s panto will feature Paul Zerdin, Nigel Havers and Gary Wilmot, along with a lavish set and beautiful costumes designed especially for London’s biggest panto.

More stars are set to be announced in the lead up to Jack and The Beanstalk at The London Palladium.

To book tickets to see Jack and The Beanstalk at The London Palladium, visit Ticketmaster for more information and prices.

Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs - New Wimbledon Theatre

• Venue address: 93 The Broadway, London SW19 1QG
• Dates: until December 31.

X Factor contestant Brenda Edwards, legendary panto Dame and TV presenter Matthew Kelly and comedy television presenters Dick & Dom join multi-award-winning actor Ruthie Henshall in New Wimbledon Theatre’s season of Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs.

The cast is rounded out by Britain’s Got Talent semi-finalist John Archer and TikTok sensation Hannah Lowther, as The Brothers Grimm’s fairy tale once again receives the pantomime treatment.

Bookings for Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs can be made through ATG Tickets.

Goldilocks and the Three Bears - Richmond Theatre

• Venue address: 1 Little Grn, Richmond TW9 1QH
• Dates: until December 31 2022

Richmond Theatre’s retelling of Goldilocks and the Three Bears centres on the porridge-eating, bed-sleeping heroine running a circus that is under threat from a rival circus owner.

“With the help of their madcap circus friends, they’re battling to rescue their Big Top from ruin. Will they succeed? All seems lost, until three brilliant bears join the gang” the theatre writes.

Goldilocks and the Three Bears will star Matt Baker, Jessica Martin playing this year’s baddie Countess Von Winklebottom, esteemed pantomime performer Nigel Ellacott as Dame Betty Barnum, Phil Walker as Ringo the Ringmaster and Tamara Morgan playing the titular role of Goldilocks.

Tickets for Richmond Theatre’s season of Goldilocks and the Three Bears are available through ATG Tickets.

Other Pantomimes confirmed for London in 2022 so far

All event information correct as of writing - booking information can be found by visiting the links included in this list:

• The Lion, The Witch and the Wardrobe: Gillian Lynne Theatre (until January 8)
• My Neighbour Totoro: Barbican Theatre (until January 21)
• Stick Man: Leicester Square Theatre (until January 2)
• A Christmas Carol: The Old Vic (until January 7)
• Elf The Musical: Dominion Theatre (until January 7)
• The Snowman: The Peacock Theatre (until December 31)
• Jack and the Beanstalk: Lyric Hammersmith (until January 7)
• Mother Goose (featuring Sir Ian McKellen): Duke of York’s Theatre (December 15 - January 29)
• Mother Goose: Hackney Empire (until December 31)
• Robin Hood: Greenwich Theatre (until January 8)
• The Wind in the Wilton: Wilton’s Music Hall (until December 31)
• It’s A Wonderful Life: London Coliseum (until December 10)
• Hex: Olivier Theatre, National Theatre (until January 14)
• The Smartest Giant in Town: St. Martin’s Theatre (until January 1)
• Peppa Pig’s Best Day Ever!: Theatre Royal Haymarket (until January 1)
• Cinderella: Compass Theatre (until December 30)
• A Christmas Carol: Rose Theatre (until January 2)
• Rapunzel on Ice: Alexandra Palace Theatre (until December 12)
• A Christmas Carol: New Wimbledon Theatre Studio (until December 10)
• Snow White and the Seven Superheroes: Millfield Theatre (until December 30)
• Dolly Parton’s Smoky Mountain Christmas Carol: Queen Elizabeth Hall, Southbank Centre (until January 8)
• Cinderella: Beck Theatre Hayes (until December 31)
• The Nightmare Before Christmas Live in Concert: OVO Arena (9th Dec 2022 to 10th Dec 2022)
• Jack and the Beanstalk: Harrow Arts Centre (December 10 - December 27)
• Rumpelstiltskin: Park Theatre (December 13 - January 14)
• Santa’s North Pole Adventure: New Wimbledon Theatre Studio (December 14 - December 24)
• The Fir Tree: Shakespeare’s Globe (December 15 - December 31)
• Sleeping Beauty: Stanley Hall (December 17 - December 27)

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