Theatre & Tonic’s Ultimate Christmas Gift Guide For Theatre Lovers
Need help finding the right gift for a theatre lover this Christmas? We’ve got you covered. As the holiday season approaches, it’s the perfect time to get organised. Whether they’re passionate about the stage, musicals, or the magic of the theatre, our curated selection of gifts will bring joy and excitement to their festive season.
We’ve compiled a gift guide for theatre lovers using a selection of businesses; including independent small businesses to help you discover the perfect present to make your Christmas extra special.
1. Creative Musical Theatre Gifts
If you love getting creative, we have the perfect gift idea for you. The Theatre Passport is a one-of-a-kind scrapbook designed to capture memories from your theatre trips throughout the year. With space for ticket stubs, photos, and personal notes, it’s a wonderful way to preserve and relive your favourite stage experiences. A colouring book inspired by musical theatre shows from Letters To July. Contains 21 floral-and-phrase designs, bring your creative side to life with this brilliant gift idea. There are two volumes to choose from so you’ll be kept nice and busy during the festive period. Why not try your hand at some embroidery kits, the ones from Amelia Stitches have you covered. Her theatre and pop culture-inspired embroidery kits, patterns, pieces and more will provide a lovely calming activity on Boxing Day for those days before the New Year when you forget what day of the week it is! Our favourites include their Amelie, Hamilton and Heather’s floral kits.
2. Theatre Gifts for the Home
Bring the magic of theatre into your home with these unique gifts. West End performer Peter Hannah used his time during the pandemic to create stunning prints of London’s iconic theatres, perfect for commemorating a favourite theatre trip or anticipating an upcoming one. Another standout is Eve Leoni Art, run by a trained professional performer, whose West End Map print is truly one of a kind. These pieces make thoughtful and creative gifts for any theatre enthusiast.
Mugs and cups are a handy present to give to a fan of any age. Here are a few of our favourites on offer: Drama Queen Mug, Tea and Musicals Mug, Musical Theatre Starbucks inspired cup, Hamilton Shot Glass and Drama Mug.
3. Theatre Books
Theatre books are perfect gifts for theatre lovers, offering insights into the magic behind the curtain. From captivating scripts and behind-the-scenes stories to actor memoirs and industry guides, they make a lasting addition to any theatre enthusiast’s collection. Some of our favourites include:
Break an Egg: The Broadway Cookbook - The perfect night out to combine your dinner and a show can now be recreated at home with this musical-inspired cookbook. With a range of recipes from beloved shows from the past 90 years, there’s bound to be something for everyone.
London Theatres - Drama critic Michael Coveney has created a wonderful book which takes you on a tour of more than 50 theatres that make the London stage what it is. Holding a mix of stories of the architecture, the people and the productions which have defined each one, paired with photographs by Peter Dazeley of the auditoriums, public and backstage areas, this illustrated overview of London's theatres is a book for any true theatre fan.
Death on the Pier - Jamie West - This theatrical murder mystery is set to make any stagey reader's day. Written by Jamie West, a performer himself, his debut novel is set in The Palace Pier Theatre - a theatre now lost, but reimagined for a new audience. Perfect for anyone who loves a classic whodunnit, whilst also being on brand.
Running the Room: Conversations with Women Theatre Directors by Rosemary Waugh - An unparalleled first-hand account of how brilliant theatre is made, this fascinating book features interviews with many of the leading directors working on British stages today exploring the craft. Plus, get a set of exclusive postcards featuring quotes from a selection of the interviewees – including RSC co-Artistic Director Tamara Harvey, and incoming National Theatre AD Indhu Rubasingham – if you order direct from publisher Nick Hern Books.
Prima Facie: Special Edition by Suzie Miller - This hit, multi-award-winning play – with a stunning central performance by Jodie Comer – is back in cinemas this month following sold-out runs in London and New York. Get your hands on this stunning edition of the script featuring the definitive version of the performance text, together with colour photos and exclusive additional content including contributors from Comer, Miller and others – giving you a fascinating behind-the-scenes insight into the making of the play and the issues it explores.
Actors’ & Performers’ Yearbook - This is a comprehensive guide packed with practical advice and resources for aspiring and professional performers. It includes industry insights, audition tips, and directories of agents, casting directors, and training programs, making it an essential tool for navigating a career in the performing arts.
4. Theatre Bookmark
Keep track of your reading with a Musical Theatre bookmark, beautifully designed by Printicole. Some of the designs available include Moulin Rouge! The Musical, Phantom of the Opera and Waitress.
5. Theatre Clothing and Accessories
Theatre-themed clothing makes a thoughtful and stylish gift for any theatre lover, letting them showcase their passion wherever they go. From iconic show logos to clever quotes and designs, these wearable tributes celebrate the magic of the stage in everyday fashion. Some of our favourite websites for these are Border Rose Design, Theatre and Threads and One Show More.
6. Musical Theatre Pin Badges
If you’re anything like us, there’s nothing like a musical theatre pin badge. You can either add them to your favourite jacket to wear out, your rucksack, or even just add them to a pin badge display. What’s even better is that there are so many to choose from! We love the ones from The Stagey Couple, Musical Theatre Pins and One Show More!
7. Theatre Backstage Tours
The perfect gift for a theatre lover is the chance to step behind the scenes with a backstage tour. Many regional theatres offer them, so it’s worth checking your local venue, but our top picks include the tours at Theatre Royal Drury Lane, Lyceum Theatre and the iconic surroundings of The Globe. For a unique twist, consider the London Musical Walking Tour by Silent Disco—a fun and immersive way to explore the West End!
8. Subscription Services
Theatre fans can bring the magic of the stage into their homes with streaming services like National Theatre at Home and Marquee TV. National Theatre at Home offers access to world-class productions, from Shakespeare classics to contemporary hits, recorded live on the iconic London stage. Such highlights on their platform include Present Laughter and The Little Big Things. Meanwhile, Marquee TV provides a diverse library of theatre, dance, opera, and documentaries, perfect for those seeking a global performing arts experience.
Or maybe you are a fan of playscripts? Nick Hern Books has an incredible subscription service which is the perfect way to keep up to date with the most exciting contemporary drama by today's top writers. Every month, you'll receive a great new play, straight from its production on the UK’s most renowned stages. 6-Month and 12-Month subscriptions are available in both paperback and ebook, starting from just £50 – and you get a printable Gift Certificate to hand to the lucky recipient on the day.
9. Musical Theatre Vinyls
For theatre lovers who appreciate the warm tones of vinyl, these West End recordings make perfect gifts. The Hadestown West End Cast Recording captures the soulful, award-winning magic of this modern myth. Fans of Wicked will adore the vinyl edition from the recent cinema release, bringing the spellbinding music of Oz to life with exceptional clarity. For something uniquely British, the Operation Mincemeat: A New Musical cast recording offers a quirky and thrilling soundtrack from one of the West End’s most talked-about shows.
10. Theatre Games
If you enjoy hosting game nights with friends during the festive season, why not add a Musical Theatre twist with these fun and creative options? The 100 Songs Every Theatre Nerd Should Know - Ultimate Musical Theatre Card Game challenges even the most passionate theatre enthusiasts. For a fresh spin on your favourite card games, check out the Musical Theatre Playing Cards , featuring beautifully designed digital illustrations of iconic musical playbills. If you love getting competitive and have adored the recent cinema release of Wicked, the Monopoly Wicked Edition Game is a glorious addition to your games cupboard!
Don’t forget that one of the greatest gifts we can offer as theatre lovers is our unwavering passion and support for it. So whether you purchase a gift by using our guide, also think about supporting your local regional theatre by making a contribution to any work they are doing for their community during the festive period. You can also continue to simply have conversations about why theatre is important.
If you are interested in adding anything to our Ultimate Christmas Gift Guide for Theatre Lovers - drop us an email to theatreandtonic@gmail.com.
