There’s something for everyone out there in cabaret-land this Christmas. Forget your woes, forget Trumpageddon, and immerse yourself in some live entertainment. This week, Jason Reid runs down his top seasonal cabaret shows…
Family Fierce Presents: Beauty and the Beast
13th – 17th December
Hen and Chickens Theatre
£13.50/£16.50
Family Fierce reprise their hit show with a strictly limited run at the Hen and Chickens in Highbury. Beauty and the Beast gets a queer makeover from Meth and this hugely creative company, so you can expect a sprinkling of socio-political commentary, a sackful of pantomime traditions, and plenty of trumped-up, big musical numbers.
Carols by Candlelight
19th December
The Two Brewers
£10/£12
Jacqui Swallows hosts a traditional Christmas carol concert, in aid of London Pride, with performances from Jack Feuresien, Michael Twaits, George Hicks, Woe Addams and many more. The back bar of Clapham cabaret den The Two Brewers will be transformed into a winter wonderland, with waiter service and complimentary mulled wine and mince pies.
Prince Bendover in Boots
Royal Vauxhall Tavern
Now – 5th Jan
£16
A thigh-slapping, musical menagerie of pure adult campery and FUN. The RVT panto is now in its tenth year, and goes from strength to strength. Bendover in Boots stars drag favourite Topsie Redfern and Vauxhall’s very own Bonnie Langford, Faye Reeves – both returning for a second consecutive year. This is a show brimming over with filthy innuendo. Just how pantomimes should be.
Le Gateau Chocolat: Icons
12th Dec – 7th Jan
Soho Theatre
From £12
Every list of top Christmas shows should have a non-ding-doing-merrily-on-high offering, in my opinion. And if that’s what you’re looking for, then this is the show for you. The colossal talent that is Le Gateau Chocolat explores his and our relationships with the icons of our time. Expect breathtaking vocals and an eclectic mix of musical genres, from Kate Bush to Whitney via Pavarotti.
Abba – The Panto
Hackney Attic
27 & 28 Dec
The team behind Bar Wotever combine Sweden’s most treasured pop group with a good old-fashioned British theatre tradition. Starring Adam All, Apple Derrières and Virgin Xtravaganzah, if you love ABBA, you should mark a date in the diary for this show. And who doesn’t love ABBA? Even a little bit…
They’ve got the look…
Who caught my eye this week?
If anyone knows how to excel at camp, it’s Alfie Ordinary. And yes, camp is a good thing, before Huff Post pipes up. Embrace it. Check out Alfie’s 12 slays of Christmas on Facebook; a daily Crimbo gift from the drag prince.
The mother of gawd, Virgin Xtravaganzah, is also the mother of bloody amazing, flawless looks. I know I mention her a lot on this page, but how can I not? Last week Virgin was papped on the red carpet with her wee pal, Lady Gaga. Virgin NEVER disappoints with the looks.