The Lyric Hammersmith will offer families a double-bill of festive treats this winter with the return of Raymond Briggs’ Father Christmas and Critics’ Circle Award-winning playwright Tom Wells’ take on Dick Whittington And His Cat.
Playing for the third Christmas in a row, Raymond Briggs’ Father Christmas will bring its fun and colourful story back to the Lyric Hammersmith from 14 November to 31 December for children younger than six.
Playing alongside the classic picture book adaptation in the venue’s main space, Dick Whittington And His Cat will run throughout the festive period from 22 November to 3 January.
While who will play the famous rags to riches title character and, of course, his feline friend is yet to be announced, the theatre is promising colourful characters, live music and a very evil Queen Rat.
Now a much anticipated event in the Lyric Hammersmith’s calendar, the annual traditional pantomime follows last year’s critically acclaimed Jack And The Beanstalk. No doubt hoping to follow in its puntastic footsteps, this year’s treat will be delivered by rising star Wells whose credits include the Bush Theatre’s popular comedies Jumpers For Goalposts and The Kitchen Sink.
The Christmas double bill joins a packed line-up of family shows to play at the theatre in its autumn/winter season with more than 20 productions arriving at the Hammersmith theatre.
Amongst the many highlights, families can look forward to puppetry from The Tap Dancing Mermaid (27 September), Three Wise Monkeys (28 October to 1 November) and The Magic Porridge Pot & Other Tasty Tales (24 January).
Classic stories told in new innovative ways come in the form of Norwich Puppet Theatre’s Pied Piper (11 October) and Red Riding Hood (28 March), Tutti Frutti and York Theatre Royal’s The Princess And The Pea (10 January) and Horse + Bamboo Theatre and Alison Duddle Production’s Hansel & Gretel (6 to 7 February), while award-winning author Michael Rosen’s superhero story Monkey! plays on 7 March.
For full listings of the children’s shows playing throughout the season, including productions on offer for kids as young as two, visit the Lyric Hammersmith website.