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Festive Fun

It's A Wonderful Life!

Adapted for radio-on-stage by Anthony E. Palermo from Frank Capra's 1946 film, based on the story, The Greatest Gift by Philip Van Doren Stern

DIRECTED BY JESSICA LAZAR.

19 November 2026 -
3 January 2027

Overview

Every man’s life touches the lives of so many others.

A bitterly cold Christmas Eve. Down in the basement of Jermyn Street Theatre FM, six actors gather round the microphone and a piano for a live radio broadcast. The ON AIR sign flashes red. We’re whisked away to Upstate New York where George Bailey stands on a bridge, ready to jump. Enter unlikely hero Clarence Odbody. Can this second-class angel convince George that life is worth living and finally earn his wings?

Adapted from Frank Capra’s cherished film, this inventive new production transforms Jermyn Street Theatre into a 1940s radio studio. A troupe of multi-roling actors will conjure an entire world with the magic of sound via ingenious stagecraft, unforgettable performances and a flurry of theatrical magic. Jessica Lazar (Outlying Islands, ★★★★ Broadway World) returns to direct a wildly charming festive treat.

 

It’s a Wonderful Life is based on the story, The Greatest Gift by Philip Van Doren Stern, which story here is used by permission of The Greatest Gift Corporation.

 

 

People

Stefan Bednarczyk
Clarence, Pianist, and others.
Stefan has performed as a pianist, singer and actor at the National Theatre, Barbican, Almeida, Hampstead Theatre, Open Air Theatre, St James Theatre and Jermyn Street Theatre, as well as in regional theatres across the UK.
Mary Higgins
Mr Potter, Violet, Zuzu, and others.
Mary has just wrapped on their show HAM (Soho Theatre) which had a smash hit run at Edinburgh Fringe. Previously, they starred in Robert Hastie’s HAMLET at the National Theatre and in its New York transfer. On screen, they can currently be seen in DIGGER, the highly anticipated feature film directed by Alejandro González Iñárritu opposite Tom Cruise.
Iniki Mariano
Mary and others.
Iniki was born and raised in Singapore, where she made her Stage and Screen debuts, before training at the Guildhall School of Music and Drama. She just wrapped as the lead on House of the Dragon Alum, Marcus Anothony Thomas’ debut Feature Cast Me! and is best known for playing ‘Mary Debenham’ in Lucy Bailey’s celebrated production of Murder on the Orient Express.
Griffin Stevens
George and others.
Griffin can currently be seen in the Apple TV+ series Star City, Amazon feature Your Fault: London, and David Mackenzie’s latest feature film, Fuze. His recent theatre work includes Rupert Goold’s acclaimed West End production of James Graham’s Dear England and Patrick Marber’s West End staging of Leopoldstadt. Screen credits also include The Critic, Absentia, Glue and The Split.
David Webber
Superintendent, Dr Campbell, Officer Bert, and others.
David is best known for playing Curtley in Mike Leigh’s Hard Truths and for his extensive television credits. He has performed at the National Theatre, Royal Court Theatre, Donmar Warehouse, and in the West End.
Lachlan Werner
Mr Gower, Ernie, Mr Martini, and others.
Lachlan is an award-winning ventriloquist, clown, writer and comedian. His solo shows, Voices Of Evil and WonderTwunk have both played to critical acclaim at the Edinburgh Fringe and Soho Theatre, as well as internationally. He was a nominee for BBC New Comedy Award and his special Voices Of Evil is on YouTube. Lachlan trained at L'Ecole Philippe Gaulier.

Anthony E. Palermo
Adaptor
Philip Van Doren Stern
Writer, The Greatest Gift
Jessica Lazar
Director
Tina Torbey
Set Designer
Anna Lewis
Costume Designer
Cheng Keng
Lighting Designer
Odinn Orn Hilmarsson
Composer & Sound Designer
Gabriele Uboldi
Producer
Chloe Stally-Gibson
Production Manager
Honor Klein
Stage Manager

Media

 

Tickets

19 November 2026 -
3 January 2027

Monday to Saturday
7.30pm

Tuesday, Saturday
3pm

Thursday
3pm (only 31 Dec 2026)

Sunday
3pm (only 3 Jan 2027)

Running time: 120 minutes.

Preview Tickets £20 (19 & 20 Nov)

Tickets £40 (£35 conc)
Concessions available to over-65s, theatre unions, or in receipt of Universal Credit and students.

Relaxed performances: Tuesday 1 December 3.00pm Wednesday 9 December 7.30pm,

Captioned performance: Wednesday 16 December 7.30pm

Content Warnings - References to suicide and alcoholism.