5 top London West End musicals for families

1. Matilda
Based on the Roald Dahl children’s book of the same name, Matilda is a family favourite about the incredible five-year-old school girl. The musical, which hit West End in 2011, has received more Olivier awards in one year than any other musical and is playing at the Cambridge Theatre

2. Aladdin
Disney’s new Broadway musical Aladdin hit West End in May, and since we’re regularly singing along to A Whole New World at home I would love to take Big Girl to see it. The musical based on the Disney animation about Aladdin and Princess Jasmine is playing at Prince Edward Theatre.

3. Charlie and the Chocolate Factory
Another Roald Dahl classic Charlie and the Chocolate Factory premiered on West End in 2013 and continues to wow audiences with the dark story about Charlie and his grandfather visiting Willy Wonka’s Chocolate Factory after winning a golden ticket. We were invited to the musical last year with Today Tix (see picture above) and Big Girl still talks about the experience and regularly asks us to read the souvenir programme.

4. Lion King
The award-winning Disney’s Lion King based on the Disney animation is in it’s 17th year at Lyceum Theatre, and Big Girl asks to go every time we pass the theatre. I think it could be a good musical for introducing children to West End, as many may already be familiar with the story and beautiful music. I remember being impressed by the spectacular animal costumes too, which I think make this show fun for all ages.

5. Wicked
Wicked is based on the Gregory Maguire novel ‘Wicked: The Life and Times of the Wicked Witch of the West’, which re-imagined the Land of Oz and created a new version of L. Frank Baum’s 1900 classic ‘The Wonderful Wizard of Oz’. The musical’s 10th birthday celebration performance on West End is coming up in September, and the hit musical, which is playing at Apollo Victoria, celebrated its tenth year on Broadway three years ago.

And for August 2016 – Scooby-Doo Live! Musical Mysteries
For four days only, Scooby-Doo Live! Musical Mysteries is coming to West End, playing at London Palladium from 18 August. In the musical version of the cartoon, the charming dog and his gang help solve an epic mystery, and there are post-show VIP meet and greet experiences available for every show. Scooby-Doo Live! Musical Mysteries will play three times every show day in London this August