> ## Content Index > Fetch the complete content index at: https://www.scenemag.co.uk/llms.txt > Use this file to discover other available public pages before exploring further. # FEATURE: Lockdown Larder Christmas special 1 - URL: https://www.scenemag.co.uk/feature-lockdown-larder-christmas-special-1/ - Published: 2020-12-02T15:15:19.000Z - Updated: 2020-12-01T12:15:41.000Z - Description: Brian Butler pulls an early cracker to discover online and live Christmas shows - Author: Brian Butler - Tags: Arts, In The South, Information, Musical Theatre, News, Out & About, Previews, Queer Corner, Television, Theatre, Travel, Chichester Festival Theatre, National Theatre, Old Vic, Phoenix Arts Club, The Spire [![](https://www.scenemag.co.uk/content/images/wp-content/uploads/2020/11/600400centrered-1.png)](https://www.scenemag.co.uk/home/) As Government lockdown restrictions ease in some areas , theatres large and small are thinking the unthinkable – that they can mount Christmas shows. London and Brighton are both in Tier 2 and therefore theatre doors can open . It’s less certain about music venues and further clarification is being sought . But the good news is there’s quite a bit to enjoy if not in person then online and even in the cinema. In this the first of two larder specials, I’ll give details of what to see , where and when. [![](https://www.scenemag.co.uk/content/images/wp-content/uploads/2020/11/pricked-lrg600.png)](https://www.gscene.com/arts/music/feature-spotlight-on-tim-mcarthur/attachment/pricked-lrg600/?ref=scenemag.co.uk) On the panto front the Royal Vauxhall Tavern has **Pricked** – a queer twist on Sleeping Beauty running from 4 December till 7 January; almost next door Above The Stag has **Dick Whittington – a New Dick In Town** in its main house 3 December till 28 February , so plenty of time to see that. More info at [www.vauxhalltavern.com](https://www.vauxhalltavern.com/events/event/pricked-sleeping-beauty-got-woke/?oid=3307&ref=scenemag.co.uk) and [abovethestag.org.uk](https://abovethestag.org.uk/whatson/dick-whittington-a-new-dick-in-town/?ref=scenemag.co.uk) [![](https://www.scenemag.co.uk/content/images/wp-content/uploads/2020/11/snow-white-at-the-london-palladium-julian-clary-as-the-man-in-the-mirror-photo-paul-coltas600.png)](https://www.scenemag.co.uk/home/) The National Theatre also airs its **Dick** from 11 December to 23 January. And if you are a panto glutton there’s **Potted Panto** – 7 different shows in 70 minutes at the Garrick Theatre from 5 December to 10 January. ([ nimaxtheatres.com](https://www.nimaxtheatres.com/shows/potted-panto/?ref=scenemag.co.uk) ) **Pantoland** at the London Palladium ( Dec 12 – 3 January) , stars Julian Clary and Elaine Page and is almost sold out – oh yes it is ! – details: www.nationaltheatre.org.uk and [lwtheatres.co.uk](https://lwtheatres.co.uk/whats-on/pantoland-at-the-palladium/?ref=scenemag.co.uk) [![](https://www.scenemag.co.uk/content/images/wp-content/uploads/2020/12/127613735_84600400.png)](https://www.scenemag.co.uk/home/) Ex Blue Peter presenter Peter Duncan has filmed his own panto **Jack and the Beanstalk** in his back garden and it is available at Everyman and Showcase cinemas and also on line from 4 December. Snow White in The 7 Months of Lockdown is online from December 14 – 31, staged by Charles Court Opera. – panto online.co.uk and charlescourt opera.com [![](https://www.scenemag.co.uk/content/images/wp-content/uploads/2020/11/saving-christmas-1920x1080-santa-claus600.png)](https://www.scenemag.co.uk/home/) Saving Christmas is an amazingly novel idea – a do-it-yourself panto from the British Youth Music Theatre and director **Steven Dexter,** who’s recently been packing them in for his shows at the Eagle Garden Theatre in Vauxhall. Basically you get a script, a score and guide vocals and a narrative track – provided by singer Luke Bayer and actor Simon Callow , and then you make up your own production ! – [britishyouthmusictheatre.org/shows](https://britishyouthmusictheatre.org/shows/saving-christmas-2020?ref=scenemag.co.uk) [![](https://www.scenemag.co.uk/content/images/wp-content/uploads/2020/11/alice_in_streamingland_cast_landscape600.png)](https://www.scenemag.co.uk/home/) Phoenix Arts Club in Charing Cross Road, London is staging its first panto – **Alice in Streamingland** , which sees Alice follow the White Rabbit down a rabbit hole into several worlds including iPlayerland . It’s written by Colin Savage , who plays the wicked Queen of Hearts and features ex-Phantom principal Matt Bateman as the Rabbit. It runs from 5 December till 3 January –[ phoenixartsclub.com](https://the-phoenix-arts-club.designmynight.com/5fb29f623017c46e2416ab0e/alice-in-streamingland-the-binge-worthy-pansexual-musical-pantomime?ref=scenemag.co.uk) Nearer home Pinocchio is staged at the Festival Theatre, Chichester by its youth theatre, December 16 to 2 January – cft.org.uk In Brighton The Spire is staging its enthralling version of **A Christmas Carol,** which I saw a couple of years ago and which is truly amazing. It’s on December 16 – 24 – [thespirearts.org](http://thespirearts.org/?ref=scenemag.co.uk) There are at least 2 other Christmas Carols on stage this year – Brian Conley stars in a lavish musical version at London’s Dominion from 7 December to 2 January; and Andrew Lincoln stars in a version at the Old Vic from 12 to 24 December – [Nederlander.co.uk](https://www.nederlander.co.uk/whats-on/christmas-carol?ref=scenemag.co.uk) and oldvictheatre.com [![](https://www.scenemag.co.uk/content/images/wp-content/uploads/2020/11/cinderella-header-600.png)](https://www.scenemag.co.uk/home/) And finally Brighton-based director/choreographer Carole Todd has two shows on the go – she’s directing **Cinderella** at the Theatre Royal Windsor from 3 December to 10 January, featuring Basil Brush and the magical Debbie McGee and **Carole** is also choreographing Dick Whittington at Above The Stag Theatre, Vauxhall ( see above ) – [theatreroyalwindsor.co.uk](https://theatreroyalwindsor.co.uk/cinderella-2020/?ref=scenemag.co.uk) If you want a non-Christmas package of campery then **Death Drop** is for you, starring drag kings and queens you’ll recognise, it’s a musical take on an Agatha Christie murder mystery but with sequins and lashes. It’s at the Garrick Theatre from December 4 – 17 January – nimaxtheatres.com All shows may be affected by the **review of tier areas on 16 December** so check with the venues. Tv schedules are still coming out but one must is a re-run of the marvellously quirky **Dickensian,** created by Eastenders writer Tony Jordan, in which many of Dickens’ characters find their separate stories colliding . It’s sad and funny and available on BBC iplayer from 3 December. It’s worth binge watching all 20 episodes over wine and cheese. Next time in the larder – my pick of LGBTQ+ books and films for Christmas presents . And my take on a Christmas menu and an alternative .