Nicky Gayner presents
Unashamedly
Christmas
An advent calendar of festive cheer—with favourite songs, cheeky surprises, warm storytelling and plenty of Christmas spirit.
21 & 22 December 2026
The Crazy Coqs, London
About the show
Christmas—without holding back.
It’s Christmas time, mistletoe and wine—and for anyone in the mood for a festive cabaret, Nicky Gayner’s Unashamedly Christmas is here.
Nicky takes audiences on a musical journey through her advent calendar of Christmas. Packed to the brim with timeless favourites, cheeky pop hits, personal stories, singalong moments and a few unexpected treats from the bottom of her stocking, it is an evening designed to send audiences into the season smiling.
This is a warm, theatrical celebration rather than a conventional Christmas concert: intimate, funny, stylish and gloriously unashamed.
The experience
A proper Christmas night out.
Made for friends, families, colleagues and Christmas lovers, the show combines familiar music with playful surprises and Nicky’s warm, personal way of bringing an audience together.
The music behind the show
Created with care—and plenty of sparkle.
Nicky Gayner
Nicky is a London-based cabaret singer and actor whose work combines distinctive musical interpretation with warm, personal storytelling. Her original shows have been presented at The Crazy Coqs, The Pheasantry and Wilton’s Music Hall, at the Edinburgh Festival Fringe and internationally.
James Doughty
James is a musical director, arranger and performer with extensive experience across theatre, cabaret and concert work. For ten years Music Supervisor for Sisco Entertainment, he is Musical Director and Arranger for The Barricade Boys, performing with them from the West End’s Adelphi Theatre to New York’s 54 Below and on tour in the UK and USA.
His theatre credits include Saturday Night Fever, Seussical, if/Then, Made in Dagenham and Avenue Q, and he has worked with performers including Laura Michelle Kelly, Beth Leavel, Shoshana Bean, Kerry Ellis, Lucie Jones and Rachel Tucker. Visit James’s website.
Unashamedly Christmas was originally created by Nicky Gayner with musical director Tom Foskett-Barnes, who wrote most of the show’s arrangements.
Created and performed by Nicky Gayner
Current Musical Director: James Doughty
Original Musical Director and Arranger: Tom Foskett-Barnes
Previous and forthcoming performances
A festive favourite since 2018.
Unashamedly Christmas was first performed in 2018 and has appeared at leading London venues including The Pheasantry, The Crazy Coqs at Brasserie Zédel and Wilton’s Music Hall.
Its seasons have included sold-out performances and returning audiences who have made the show part of their own Christmas celebrations.
Next performances
21 & 22 December 2026
The Crazy Coqs, Brasserie Zédel, London
Cabaret Scenes
“A classy, warmhearted Christmas cracker”
“A lovely, unforced, natural quality to Gayner’s voice.”
“Truly a pin-drop moment.”
Watch the trailer
A glimpse inside the advent calendar.
Meet the music, stories, surprises and festive spirit of Unashamedly Christmas.
A flexible production
Made to fit the occasion.
The show works in intimate cabaret rooms, studio theatres, arts centres, festivals, private events, Christmas parties and seasonal fundraising evenings. Its format can be tailored to the venue and audience.
Live production photographs courtesy of audience members
For venues & special events
Bring Christmas to your audience.
The production can be presented with piano alone or with a trio of piano, double bass and drums. Running time and musical format can be tailored to suit the venue, festival or special event.
gayner@btinternet.com
All locations considered. Fees and availability on request.
At a glance
Flexible by design
Length
75 minutes without an interval, 90 minutes with an interval, or a tailored version by agreement.
Music
Piano alone, or a trio of piano, double bass and drums.
Availability
All locations considered, including theatres, cabaret rooms, festivals and special events.
Full technical and production information is included in the downloadable presenter pack.