If you’ve ever wondered what Jack Frost’s favourite film is or pondered about what Puss In Boots wants for Christmas, we’re about to put your mind at rest.
We caught up with everyone from Peppa Pig to Cinderella’s Prince – even Father Christmas took time out of his busy schedule to tell us what he’s doing after making his all-important deliveries this festive season – and discovered a canine panto star who’s constantly on the lookout for unattended food stuffs, a frosty fellow with a soft spot for Miss Trunchbull and a 17th century puritan who wants nothing but to spoil everyone else’s fun this Christmas.
The Cat in the Hat, Seussical The Musical at the Arts theatre
What do you enjoy most about the festive season?
Being able to eat as much food as I possibly can. Most people have a turkey on Christmas Day; I have 12 cans of tuna and three tubs of cream.
What is your favourite Christmas film?
Always The Grinch. I know him personally. Nice guy, bit misunderstood.
How will you be celebrating on 25 December?
A stocking full of catnip and a nice family game of Mousetrap.
If you could meet a festive character from any other London show or film, who would it be and why?
I’ve always wanted to meet Ebenezer Scrooge from A Christmas Carol just so I could hit him on the head with my umbrella and tell him to stop being so miserable. It’s Christmas, enjoy yourself!
Puss, Puss In Boots at the Hackney Empire
What is your favourite part of the show?
When I use my purrrrrsuasive powers on all the characters.
What is your favourite Christmas film?
The Wizard Of Oz because, because, because, because, because the lion is my idol.
If you could meet a festive character from any other London show or film, who would it be and why?
I wouldn’t mind rubbing shoulders with Nala from Disney’s The Lion King. She’s the cat’s whiskers. Meeeow!
Jack Frost, The Snowman at the Peacock theatre
What sets your show apart from all the other shows playing in London this Christmas?
The Snowman is a great show that you can see with all of the family. (They told me to say that). Obviously the main reason is that it features me and I’m handsome with a sharp sense of style.
What is your favourite Christmas film?
Tim Burton’s The Nightmare Before Christmas. I don’t like all that fluffy feel good stuff – bleugh – and don’t get me started on the 1998 Jack Frost movie with Michael Keaton!
What is the one gift you want to receive more than anything else this year?
A kiss from the Ice Princess, I know she feels it too. Oh and an Xbox One in silver.
If you could meet a festive character from any other London show or film, who would it be and why?
I’m desperate to meet The Trunchbull from Matilda. I hear she has a great approach to discipline.
Oliver Cromwell, Horrible Histories – Barmy Britain 2 at the Garrick theatre
What sets your show apart from all the other shows playing in London this Christmas?
For one thing, it’s the only show that tells the truth about that rotten old King Charles I and how I signed the order for his head to be chopped off. Trouble was when his son took over as King Charles II he dug up my body and hanged me. Even though I was dead. Can’t win ‘em all.
What do you enjoy most about the festive season?
I don’t enjoy anything about the festive season. In fact we’ve banned Christmas.
How will you be celebrating on 25 December?
I’ll be enjoying some fasting and humiliation along with my Puritan friends Donation, Weep Not and Fight The Good Fight Of Faith. Those are their names by the way. I’ll also be doing some shopping as we’ve ordered all the shops to stay open.
What is the one gift you want to receive more than anything else this year?
Presents are banned. And Christmas dinner. And mince pies. And holly. We know how to enjoy ourselves!
Peppa Pig, Peppa Pig’s Big Splash at the Criterion theatre
What sets your show apart from all the other shows playing in London this Christmas?
We have a dancing potato!
What is your favourite part of the show?
The puddle jumping competition because I love jumping up and down in muddy puddles!
What is the one gift you want to receive more than anything else this year?
It’s a secret!
If you could meet a festive character from any other London show or film, who would it be and why?
The Snowman because I think he might like to jump up and down in muddy puddles with me!
Merry Christmas everyone! Oink!
Father Christmas, Father Christmas at the Lyric Hammersmith
What sets your show apart from all the other shows playing in London this Christmas?
Other shows are plays with actors. This is more of a documentary about me.
What do you enjoy most about the festive season?
Enjoy? Are you joking? Don’t you know who I am?! Christmas is all work, work, work.
What is your favourite Christmas film?
I haven’t got time for that nonsense.
How will you be celebrating on 25 December?
A nice bit of turkey, a drop of wine and a long, long sleep!
Hazel The Dog, Sleeping Beauty at the Park theatre
What sets your show apart from all the other shows playing in London this Christmas?
I’m in it for a start! I’m making my professional stage debut. Obviously I have done my fair share of amateur work, but this is quite different.
What is your favourite part of the show?
My favourite part is the comedy of a very simple moment between the young king and the princess. Every time I see it I can’t help but wag my tail.
What do you enjoy most about the festive season?
The amount of unguarded mince pies that get left on the edges of tables.
What is the one gift you want to receive more than anything else this year?
I’m not into physical items – in fact, give me a supposedly non-destructible ball and I’ll demolish it in under 20 minutes – so I’d prefer to simply have a fun and balanced life and for those in my pack to do the same.
Prince, Cinderella: A Fairytale at the Unicorn theatre
What is your favourite part of the show?
I love bird watching so to get out into the wild and look at them up close with my binoculars is a rare treat for me and I love it.
How will you be celebrating on 25 December?
Well luckily I will be with my stunning wife Cinderella at the palace. Our first Christmas together but definitely not our last. I’m so excited!
What is the one gift you want to receive more than anything else this year?
After finding Cinderella I feel I have already had my present, but if Father Christmas has to bring me one thing I hope it’s a new pair of binoculars so I can practice my bird watching.
If you could meet a festive character from any other London show or film, who would it be and why?
Aladdin seems a very nice boy. I’d love a go on his magic carpet, it looks like great fun.
Girl, The Elephantom at The Shed
What sets your show apart from all the other shows playing in London this Christmas?
Well that depends. How many shows playing in London have elephantoms in them?
What is your favourite Christmas film?
Is Dumbo a Christmas film? I love Dumbo. I bet he wouldn’t steal my teddy or use my bed as a trampoline when I’m trying to sleep.
What is the one gift you want to receive more than anything else this year?
An encyclopaedia so I can get to know everything about everything and be prepared for situations such as unwelcome ghost animals in a house…
If you could meet a festive character from any other London show or film, who would it be and why?
I would love to meet The Grinch. I don’t know why. I guess because he makes me laugh and because who wouldn’t want to meet a green looking grumpy man? Wait.. is he a man?
Mr Green and Mr White, Snow Play at the Bloomsbury theatre
What is your favourite Christmas film?
Mr White: Being Mr White I would have to say White Christmas.
Mr Green: How The Grinch Stole Christmas because at least the Grinch is green
How will you be celebrating on 25 December?
Mr White: I’ll be jumping out of bed, eating a bowl of snowflakes and then going sledging, having a snowball fight, making snow angels, snow cones and snowmen, going skiing and snowboarding. Then I’ll open my presents: a snow cat and some new snowshoes. I love snow!
Mr Green: I’ll be opening my presents: a new butterfly net, a new Hawaiian shirt and some top class fertilizer for my lovely green lawn.
What is the one gift you want to receive more than anything else this year?
Mr White: A walk-in freezer.
Mr Green: A new greenhouse.