Wilton, Allam, Walter And Stevenson All To Feature In Globe's Christmas Season

For the first time in its history, Shakespeare's Globe is offering theatre, music and spoken word productions throughout the winter - including a riotous Christmas show, Adele Thomas's much-loved production of The Knight of the Burning Pestle and the 'Winter's Tales' featuring Penelope Wilton, Juliet Stevenson, Harriet Walter and Roger Allam.

Beaumont's uproarious, experimental romp The Knight of the Burning Pestle returns to the Sam Wanamaker Playhouse from 11 December 2014 to 11 January 2015. Once again starring Pauline McLynn as the Citizen's Wife, Phil Daniels as the Citizen and Matthew Needham as Rafe, the production has been newly reworked for the festive season. Opening as a bourgeois comedy of manners, the play swiftly disintegrates into a surreal, genre-defying caper when two members of the 'audience' invade the stage. The result is a winning combination of salty prose, charming songs and metatheatrical mayhem.

The Playhouse will also host some very special musical and spoken word evenings throughout the winter, including the 'Winter's Tales' - a series of classic short stories read by candlelight by some of our finest actors, with live musical accompaniment.

On Sunday 21 December, Penelope Wilton will read 'The Lady with the Little Dog' and other Anton Chekhov stories. Penelope has played Isobel Crawley in the ITV series Downton Abbey since 2010 and her other stage and screen credits include Hamlet (Donmar West End), Women Beware Women (RSC), and the feature films Belle and Match Point.

BAFTA-nominated and Olivier Award-winning actress Juliet Stevenson will read 'The Garden Party' and other Katherine Mansfield stories on Monday 22 December. Juliet most recently starred in Happy Days at the Young Vic, and her film credits include Truly Madly Deeply, Emma and Infamous.

Roger Allam will read 'Odour of Chrysanthemums' and other D.H. Lawrence stories onSunday 28 December. Roger is currently appearing as D.I. Fred Thursday in the ITV seriesEndeavour. He returns to the Globe following his starring role in last year's The Tempestand his Olivier Award-winning turn as Falstaff in 2010's Henry IV. His screen credits includeThe Iron Lady, The Queen, The Politician's Husband and Parade's End.

On Monday 5 January 2015, Olivier and Evening Standard Award-winning actress Harriet Walter will read 'The Birds' and other Daphne du Maurier stories. Harriet is currently appearing in the title role in Phyllida Lloyd's all-female production of Henry IV at the Donmar. Her film credits include Atonement, Bright Young Things and Sense and Sensibility.

The line-up of exceptional actresses is complemented by Charlotte Rampling, who with cellist Sonia Wieder-Atherton will present 'The Night Dances, an evening of Sylvia Plath's haunting poetry and Benjamin Britten's suites for cello, on Monday 15 December.

The Playhouse will host three other candlelit concerts over the Christmas period. OnSunday 30 November, world-renowned tenor Ian Bostridge partners with guitarist Xuefei Yang to present 'Songs From Our Ancestors', an eclectic programme of English and Chinese classical and folk music. On Monday 1 December, the Chilingirian Quartet and guests perform pieces by Vaughan Williams and Elgar that reflect and explore the composers' personal experiences of the First World War. On Sunday 7 December, Israeli mandolinist Avi Avital and Iranian harpsichordist Mahan Esfahani explore the music of Bach in their first London concert together.

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