Christmas Cabaret Crackers

Our guide to the best cabaret stuff this Christmas!


You scumbag, you maggot, you cheap lousy person who probably likes people of the same-sex but not those gross meat things covered in gravy, it’s time to dust off the naff bauble earrings and that garish Rudolph jumper because we are officially balls deep in the busiest time of the year for cabaret!

As usual it’s ALL going on across London. To help you decide what to mince along to, this week Jason Reid picks out his top seasonal shows…


Tinderella 

A modern and very adult take on the panto classic, Cinderella, this is Canal Cafe Theatre’s third consecutive year of screaming ‘IT’S BEHIND YOU’. Could be the title of my autobiography…

This gorge pub theatre is nestled on a corner in Little Venue and run mostly by women. We’re all about that! Starring Lawrence Bolton (Tia Kofi, The Vixens), Iona Crampton, Francesco Roberts and Lucy Aley-Parker, Tinderella is filthy, raucous and heaps of FUN! 

Various dates until Saturday 29 December, Canal Cafe Theatre, The Bridge House, Delamere Terrace, Little Venice, London W2 6ND.


Winter Paradise

A Christmas celebration of artists of colour, headed by accomplished vocalist and emcee Sadie Sinner. The Cocoa Butter Club has gone from strength to strength this year, easily establishing itself as one of London’s best new cabaret nights. Expect steel pan music, jazz flute and vocal performances from Jordan Charles, San Juan and Pride’s Got Talent winner L.M.R – plus DJs playing till last orders. 

Saturday 8 December. The Apple Tree London, 45 Mount Pleasant, London WC1X OAE.


David Hoyle’s ReinDeAr

Instead of buying that friend a god-awful gift set from Superdrug for Christmas again, perhaps consider hooking them up with a ticket to this show instead. Avant-garde nobility David Hoyle is joined by special guests Travis Alabanza, Horrora Shebang from Drag Syndrome and Mark Cox. Expect cutting-edge art, music and sage advice on how to survive late-stage capitalism. 

Wednesday 19 December. Bethnal Green Working Men’s Club, 42-46 Pollard Row, London E2 6NB.


Virgin Xtravaganzah Sleighs Xmas

Imagine what an article about the top Christmas shows would be without the mother of gawd? It would be sacrilege, that’s what it’d be. Virgin offers up twisted Christmas carols and spoken word at Haggerston’s queer palace of debauchery. If you’ve never seen them perform before prepare to be blown away; Virgin is talented as hell.

Friday 14 December. The Glory, 281 Kingsland Road, London E2 8AS.


Jingle Our Balls

A good old-fashioned camp as Christmas sing-along with two queens who love nothing better than getting an audience juiced up (so to speak), Son Of a Tutu and Crystal D’Canter. Entry is free but the Admiral Duncan gets very busy during showtime so get there as early as possible to pop your handbag down and claim your spot.  

Friday 21 December. Admiral Duncan, 54 Old Compton Street, London W1D 4UD.


RVT Panto: Rubbed

An institution within an institution; the team at the RVT have pulled it off again (ARF!) with Rubbed. An effortlessly hilarious cast who gel beautifully on stage, and a very mischievous script that remains true to the spirit of traditional pantomime. Starring Topsie Redfern, Alan Hunter, Faye Reeves, Rob McNeilly and Rich Watkins. 

Various dates until Thursday 3 January. Royal Vauxhall Tavern, 372 Kennington Lane, London SE11 5HY.

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