What’s coming on stage for families in London
As some theatres and musical venues are introducing socially-distanced runs, here’s an overview of a couple of productions and events that are scheduled for the coming months in London:
The Very Hungry Caterpillar Show at artsdepot
The stage show based on Eric Carle children’s classics The Very Hungry Caterpillar Show will be playing at artsdepot from 24 to 27 October 2020 with audiences socially distanced. The show brings four Eric Carle stories to life–Brown Bear, Brown Bear, 10 Little Rubber Ducks, The Very Lonely Firefly and The Very Hungry Caterpillar–in a 50-minute performance with 75 puppets. (Photo above by Pamela Raith Photography.)
Reach for the Stars at Little Angel Theatre
With a story inspired by the life of Mae Jemison, the first African American woman to go into space, the puppet show Reach for the Stars, a Little Angel Theatre production, in partnership with the Albany and Arts Bridge Charity, tells a story about Nat who overcomes her fears and continues to strive to reach her ultimate goal of flying. Aimed at children aged 6 to 11, the show will be playing for family audiences in Little Angel Theatre’s Studios, a short walk from the Islington theatre, on weekends in October (starting 24 October) and November. The running time is approximately 35 minutes, and audiences will be sitting on mats in their groups of up to six.
Stick Man at Rose Theatre
Popular children’s picture book Stick Man by Julia Donaldson and Axel Scheffler is brought to life in the Freckle Productions stage adaptation Stick Man Live. The show tells the story about a stick going out for a jog when he’s accidentally taken on an adventure away from his family. Recommended for children aged 3 and over, Stick Man will be playing at Rose Theatre with Covid-19 safety measures in place from 10 December to 3 January and the running time is 55 minutes.
My Christmas Orchestral Adventure at Royal Albert Hall
On 13 December, Royal Albert Hall is hosting a family concert as part of the My Great Orchestral Adventure series with the Albert’s Orchestra. This time, Father Christmas has lost his map on a practice run of his delivery route, and to help him, the ensemble will take audiences on an orchestral adventure around the world from the comfort of the Royal Albert Hall auditorium. The fun musical event is recommended for families with children aged 3+ and audiences will be socially distanced.
The Snowman and The Gruffalo at Cadogan Hall
As a special Christmas treat for families, Cadogan Hall in Chelsea has three socially-distanced performances of The Snowman film and The Gruffalo on the programme for 21 December. In a new adaptation of the picture book classic The Gruffalo by Julia Donaldson and Axel Scheffler, the story about the mouse going for a walk in the woods has been reworked as a piece for a narrator and an orchestra by Philip Mackenzie. Each character in the tale is represented by a different instrument. At the same event, The Snowman film will be showing with a live symphony orchestra providing the soundtrack and guest soloist Alice Mackenzie, aged 11, singing Walking in the Air.
Carols at the Royal Albert Hall
At Royal Albert Hall, the popular festive carol events Carols at the Royal Albert Hall are also scheduled to return in the days leading up to Christmas from 20 to 23 December with a socially-distanced audience. The carol-singing events traditionally see families dressing up in Christmas jumpers and novelty hats to get in the spirit of Christmas while singing along to a mix of classic and modern Christmas hits. This year, the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra, conducted by Richard Cooke, will be taking audiences through the festive favourites along with the Royal Choral Society, the National Youth Choirs of Great Britain.
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