Your cultural Christmas unwrapped

GOING OUT: It's the most wonderful time of the year in London - let our Culture Editors guide you on the best of what the capital has to offer this festive season

Theatre 

Two Strangers (Carry a Cake Across New York) 

Set at Christmas, this glorious new musical by Jim Barnes and Kit Buchan is a love letter to rom-coms (as well as Home Alone 2), with winning performances from Sam Tutty and Dujonna Gift and catchy, witty tunes.

⬤ Kiln Theatre, to Dec 23

Gwyneth Goes Skiing 

According to Linus Karp, who takes the central role, this “is going to be camp, it’s going to be Christmas, it’s going to be Goopy”. It’s the very silly story of how Gwynnie was involved in a collision with a retired optometrist on the slopes, an incident that would end up in court.

⬤ Pleasance Theatre, to Dec 23

A Christmas Carol Jack Thorne’s adaptation of Charles Dickens’s stone-cold Christmas classic has become an annual Old Vic staple. This year Christopher Eccleston is Ebenezer Scrooge.

⬤ Old Vic, to Jan 6

A Christmas Carol

Another one, this time in the glorious surroundings of Ally Pally. This adaptation is by Mark Gatiss, and Keith Allen is on humbugging duties.

⬤ Alexandra Palace, to Jan 7

Pandemonium

The Thick of It creator Armando Iannucci is once again taking aim at the venal world of politics. Pandemonium satirises the Johnson-Truss-Sunak years, and is directed by Patrick Marber.

⬤ Soho Theatre, to Jan 13

The Witches