Showboat
Jerome Kern and Oscar Hammerstein’s 1927 musical, set in America’s Deep South on the cusp of the 20th century, can be a bit of a slowboat. But director Daniel Evans has delivered one musical marvel after another at this time of the year. Evans has never been afraid of the epic, and the scale of this musical should suit the Crucible stage just fine. The bonus is a score that you could happily drown in, as it heaps on the lushness with familiar songs including Ol’ Man River and Can’t Help Loving Dat Man.
- At Crucible theatre, Sheffield, 10 December - 16 January. Box office: 0114 249 6000.
A Christmas Carol
Is Jim Broadbent too twinkly-eyed to make a great Scrooge? No, he’s far too brilliant an actor, even if redemption is likely to come with bells and whistles on it in Patrick Barlow’s version of Dickens’s great festive story. The creative team is pretty hot, too, with Improbable’s Phelim McDermott at the helm ensuring that those ghosts are truly terrifying. Mind you, with no discount for children, the producers themselves could be accused of Scrooge-like behaviour.
- At Noël Coward theatre, London, until 30 January. Box office: 0844 482 5141.
Ben-Hur
Patrick Barlow, who gave us the long-running hit The 39 Steps, has also adapted General Lew Wallace’s epic story of ancient Rome, which features thousands but boasts a cast of just four. Tim Carroll directs, and firm promises have been made that there will be sea battles with real water, chariot races with real chariots and Roman orgies suitable for the entire family. Sounds like a riot.
- At Tricycle theatre, London, until 9 January. Box office: 020-7328 1000.
Rapunzel
Let your hair down with Annie Siddons’s retelling of the fairy tale that goes back to a far darker 17th-century version of the story, and one in which love really is blind. Siddons’s script was originally produced by Kneehigh, but Lu Kemp should bring real joie de vivre to a story that highlights all the good things about love, and the dangers of over-parenting. It’s a got a pantomime quality that canbe played up or down, but whatever the approach, this production is likely to make all ages look at a familiar story with new eyes.
- At Citizens theatre, Glasgow, until 3 January. Box office: 0141429 0022.
Funny Girl
The New York premiere of this 1964 musical, inspired by the life of Broadway star Fanny Brice, confirmed the talent of a young Barbra Streisand. Here, Sheridan Smith plays the gifted comedian who was adored on stage but was always unlucky in love. Director Michael Mayer focuses on the stardust, while Smith can light up any stage with more dazzle than a fully decked Christmas tree.
- At Menier Chocolate Factory, London, until 5 March. Box office: 020-7378 1713.
The Haunting of Hill House
The festive season just got spookier with Anthony Neilson’s stage version of Shirley Jackson’s horror novel, which Stephen King said was “one of the finest books ever to come out of the genre”. The fact that West End producer Sonia Friedman is involved suggests that there are high hopes for this story about three people who very foolishly agree to spend the night in Hill House with the mysterious Dr Montague. Director Melly Still will take you to the edge of your seat, although probably not to the edge of reason.
- At Playhouse theatre, Liverpool, 7 December-16 January. Box office: 0151 709 4776.
Sleeping Beauty
Once upon a time, there was a prince who pricked his finger and fell asleep. Yep, that’s right – a prince. Sally Cookson plays gender-bending games with a new version of the age-old tale, only in this instance, it’s the girl who gets to do the kissing and go on adventures. Oh, and the waking up is a bit of an accident. Cookson has magnificent form when it comes to Christmas shows including fabulous versions of Cinderella and 101 Dalmatians, so this should be a glittering theatrical bauble.
- At Bristol Old Vic until 17 January. Box office: 0117 987 7877.
Inkheart
Cornelia Funke’s bestseller tells the story of Meggie, whose father Mo has the ability to really bring the characters from books alive when he reads aloud. But Mo’s gift comes at a price, as the disappearance of Meggie’s mother attests. This page to stage adaptation is already tried and tested. Director Walter Meierjohann has previously had a big success with this in Germany and now reworks it for UK audiences. Expect a Christmas show with a European swagger and loads of visual flair. Should be miles away from the British panto tradition.
- At Home, Manchester, until 9 January. Box office: 0161 200 1500.
The Light Princess
No, not the Tori Amos musical developed at vast expense by the NT, but a brand-new version of George MacDonald’s Victorian fairy tale about a princess who can’t help but defy gravity. The Tobacco Factory has a stellar reputation for quirky Christmas hits and given the involvement of comedy theatre troupe Peepolykus, this is a show that is likely to be light in every respect. The big question is: how are they going to make that princess float?
- At The Tobacco Factory, Bristol, until 10 January. Box office: 0117 902 0344.
The Insatiable, Inflatable Candylion
“Its idiosyncratic, nostalgic appeal is hard to resist,” wrote the Guardian’s Alexis Petridis about the solo album, Candylion, from Super Furry Animals frontman, Gruff Rhys. Rhys has already collaborated with National Theatre Wales on Praxis Makes Perfect, and he reunites with collaborators Wils Wilson and playwright Tim Price for what could be the most eccentric family Xmas entertainment of the year – and one that borrows heavily from that 2007 album. Taking the audience into Pixel Valley in the Kingdom of Candy, this is billed as a cross between a theatre show and a singalong gig. Expect colour and lots of noise, with ear-defenders mandatory for young children.
- At Swalec stadium, Cardiff, from 16 December - 2 January. Box office: 02920 371689.
