James R | On 20, Dec 2020

The National Theatre is streaming its Dick Whittington pantomime online for free this Christmas.

Freshly updated for 2020 by Jude Christian and Cariad Lloyd, the new version of the classic tale continues the long-standing tradition of the play being performed somewhere in the country at Christmas. It promises to be packed with the cheekiest of jokes, the chattiest of animals and the messiest of silliness.

The cast includes Lawrence Hodgson-Mullings as Dick Whittington, Melanie La Barrie as Bow Belles, Georgina Onuorah as Alice, Cleve September as Tom Cat, Amy Booth-Steel as Queen Rat, Dickie Beau as Sarah and Laura Checkley as Mayor Pigeon / Captain P-Jim / PRMP.

The production was set to run at the Olivier Theatre from 22nd December to 23rd January 2021. With London now in Tier 4 lockdown for Christmas, the theatre has closed its doors and cancelled its performances of the panto for the near future. Instead, it’s taking the filmed production and streaming it online on the National Theatre YouTube channel.

It will be available to watch for free from 3pm on 23rd December until the end of 27th December, with a runtime of 2 hours and 20 minutes, including an interval.

The decision follows the National Theatre’s run of free weekly productions released on YouTube during the first national lockdown following the coronavirus outbreak. It also follows the launch of National Theatre at Home, the theatre’s own streaming service, which includes productions such as Amadeus, Coriolanus and Yerma available to rent or watch as part of a monthly subscription.

For a full guide to plays, pantos, musicals and more you can stream online, see our digital theatre guide.

Add to Watchlist