Family fun
NIGEL SUMMERLEY finds the perfect way to fill the Christmas holidays with delights
Bright lights, big gardens
The gardens at Kew are always magical, but the excitement goes up a few notches at Christmas with the advent of over-the-top illuminations. After-dark attractions include trees lit up in stunning colours, brilliant reflected images in the waters, and a fantastic Palm House light show. Festive treats will be on sale, and a certain Father Christmas is likely to put in an appearance. 4-10pm, 17 Nov-9 Jan; family ticket (2 adults + 2 children) £65 kew.org
Fairest panto of them all?
Pantomimes have become known for the bizarre exploitation of famous names (remember David Hasselhoff as Captain Hook?). But perhaps it’s no surprise to find veteran bad girl Lesley Joseph (man-eating Dorien from sitcom Birds of a Feather) starring as the Wicked Queen in Snow White and the Seven
Dwarfs at Bristol Hippodrome. It seems that when she looks in the mirror, she will be seeing good guy Rob Rinder of TV’S Judge Rinder. Sensational special effects are promised but the prospect of Joseph facing the Judge should be the draw. 4 Dec-2 Jan; from £13 pp. atgtickets.com
Cold comfort
Frozen the Musical, with its melodramatic Snow Queen-esque tale of estranged sisters Elsa and Anna, is here at last and it’s definitely one for the kids.the
Frozen movie phenomenon has driven little girls wild – so the prospect of seeing it as a live-action show at the Theatre Royal Drury Lane is beyond exciting. My five-year-old grand-daughter, Tulip, gushes: “I like Frozen because of Elsa’s high heels! And I like everything about the way she dresses – and her beautiful plaits! I wish I could just be like her and go into the magical forest and be on a horse...” And so on... Basically, she can’t wait to see it. It’s a spectacular production by anyone’s standards, as packed with special effects as it is with high emotion. From £20 pp. frozenthemusical.co.uk
Even colder comfort
If you really want to get into the Frozen mood, go ice-skating at London’s Natural History Museum. This is the last Christmas you’ll be able to, because there’s a plan to transform the space into a permanent wildlife garden. Fairy lights and frosty trees will add to the festive atmosphere. For grandparents who prefer just to watch, the museum’s Café Bar has a bird’s-eye view of the rink and is open to everyone, skating or not. 22 Oct-16 Jan. Closed 25 Dec; adults from £12.65, children from £8.80, family discounts. nhm.ac.uk Brightonians will probably claim – understandably – that their ice rink, alongside the brilliantly illuminated and ever-exotic Royal Pavilion, is even more magical. On top of that the ice is said to be generated entirely by green energy. 30 Oct-9 Jan; £40 family ticket. royalpavilionicerink.co.uk
Let’s go to treasure island
It’s best not to play Monopoly or Risk at Christmas, thus avoiding family fallouts. Instead, try a game where you sink or swim together – like Forbidden Island. The waves are rising and the only way you can all escape is to cooperate. Sounds kind of timely, doesn’t it? It’s not just totally topical; it’s also beautifully puttogether and designed so that each game can be different. It’s a great team-building exercise which should bring the family together – rather than lead to sulks. Up to four players; £19.99; board-game.co.uk
Follow the Herd
You have neither the time nor money to head to the North Pole to meet Father Christmas and his reindeer? How about Gloucestershire instead. The Cotswold Reindeer Herd (plus Santa) will be receiving visitors young and old at Ampney Crucis, near Cirencester. Five years ago, this family-run business decided to add more Arctic reindeer to the two animals they already owned, and the arrival of more calves since then has helped create a large, permanent – and extremely cute – herd. This really could be a Christmas treat the kids, and you, will remember for ever. £15 pp; 20 November-31 December (closed Christmas Day and Boxing Day); 07977457724. cotswoldreindeerherd.co.uk
Michael Caine & Muppets
The Muppet Christmas Carol movie was the TV puppets’ finest hour – thanks to Michael Caine’s brilliant performance as Scrooge – and it’s now doing the rounds with a live orchestra.
With Kermit’s Bob Cratchit alongside Caine, it will grace the Royal Albert Hall on 11 December, but it’s also screened at Liverpool Empire (28 Nov), Bridgewater Hall, Manchester (29 Nov), Symphony Hall, Birmingham (30 Nov), SEC Armadillo, Glasgow (1 Dec), Usher Hall, Edinburgh (2 Dec) and Royal Concert Hall, Nottingham (14 Dec). The Muppet Christmas Carol Live in Concert will be performed by the Novello Orchestra. Prices vary. royalalberthall.com