While mainstream pantomime, especially in the UK, is typically family-friendly, adult pantomime takes a more provocative approach, often incorporating innuendos, satire, and contemporary references that appeal to an adult sensibility. Now queer it up and you get something fabulously funny and totally smutty. With so many pantos casting trans, queer and non-binary characters in the main roles and often with queer storylines, panto is a great way to spend a night out over Christmas and the New Year – just leave the kids at home.
QX has put together a handy click list of some of the best queer and adult pantomime shows being staged in London over the holiday season.
The Best Panto and Christmas Shows in London
Jack and the Beanstalk What a Whopper at Charing Cross Theatre, 23 November 2024 – 11 January 2025
The Crumple Zone at Waterloo East, 25 November – 22 December 2024
Tickets & details: https://www.waterlooeast.co.uk
Wolfed Panto at the RVT, 26 November 2024 – 9 January 2025
A Very Naughty Christmas at Southwark Playhouse Elephant, 28 November 2024 – 11 January 2025
Tickets & details: https://southwarkplayhouse.co.uk
Homo Alone at The Other Palace Theatre, 29 November 2024 – 5 January 2025
Tickets & details: https://theotherpalace.co.uk/
Cinderella Goes Adults Only at King’s Head Theatre, 30 November – 5 January 2025
Tickets & details: https://kingsheadtheatre.com/
Peter Pan at The Phoenix Theatre, 2 December 2024 – 6 January 2025
Tickets & details:
The Lord of the Rims: An Adult Panto at Two Brewers Theatre, December 5 2024 – January 3 2025
Tickets & details: https://www.the2brewers.com/
Snow White: London’s Naughtiest Pantomime at Vauxhall Theatre, 6 – 22 December 2024
Tickets & details: https://www.ticketsource.co.uk
Gwyneth Goes Skiing at Pleasance Theatre, 11 – 21 December 2024
Tickets & details: https://www.pleasance.co.uk
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