What’s on stage for families in London October/November 2019

Annie the Musical at New Wimbledon Theatre
Do you remember the hit songs like Tomorrow and It’s a Hard Knock Life? Annie the Musical, which had a limited run at West End’s Piccadilly Theatre in 2017/2018, is on a UK tour and will hit New Wimbledon Theatre in November. The musical, recommended for children aged 5 and over, tells the story about young girl Annie who lives at Miss Hannigan’s orphanage and is chosen to celebrate Christmas at billionaire Oliver Warbucks’ residence. The running time is 2 hours and 15 minutes, including a 15-minute interval, and it will be running from 11 to 16 November.

Oi Frog and Friends at Rose Theatre and Lyric Theatre
The play based on the funny children’s book Oi Frog by Kes Gray and Jim Field will be playing at Rose Theatre from 26 October to 3 November and at Lyric Theatre for a Christmas run, starting on 29 November. The book sees the frog explaining the rhyming rules of what different animals sit on, while the Oi Frog and Friends stage show is set at Sittingbottom School where frog is looking for a place to sit. The show promises songs and puppetry and is recommended for ages 3 and over.

Billionaire Boy at Richmond Theatre
From 30 October to 2 November, the musical adaptation of David Walliams’ Billionaire Boy, produced by Birmingham Stage Company, will be playing at Richmond Theatre. The show tells the story of the mega rich Joe Spud, who has everything except a friend, and changes school as part of his mission to find one. The running time is 2 hours and 10 minutes, including interval.

The Pirate Cruncher at artsdepot
On 6 October, the stage adaptation of Jonny Duddle’s The Pirate Cruncher will be playing at artsdepot. The show, produced by Goat and Monkey, tells the story about Emily, a child inventor extraordinaire, who runs a tavern that is raided by Captain Purplebeard and his crew. She decides to take revenge and sends them on a wild goose chase for treasure. The production is recommended for ages 5 and above.

War Horse at Troubadour Theatre Wembley Park
From 18 October to 23 November, the National Theatre stage adaptation of Michael Morpurgo’s War Horse is returning to London for a limited run. The touring show, which was previously playing on London’s West End for eight years, takes audiences on a journey back to World War One and tells the story about Albert’s horse Joey, who is sold to the cavalry and sent to France. Albert sets out on a mission to find his beloved horse and bring him back to their Devon farm. The drama will be playing at Wembley Park’s new Troubadour Theatre and is recommended for ages 10 and over.

The Scarecrows’ Wedding at Greenwich Theatre and Churchill Theatre
The classic Julia Donaldson and Axel Scheffler children’s book The Scarecrows’ Wedding has been brought to life by Scamp Theatre in a fun and charming production, which is currently touring and playing at several London venues this autumn. The show will be playing at Greenwich Theatre from 22 to 23 October and Churchill Theatre in Bromley from 27 to 29 November. Read my review of the production from 2017 HERE. (Photo above by Helen Maybanks.)

You’ve Got Dragons at artsdepot and Lyric Hammersmith
The stage adaptation of Kathryn Cave’s You’ve Got Dragons, produced by Taking Flight Theatre Company, is currently touring and will be playing at both ArtsDepot or Lyric Hammersmith this autumn. The show is about coping with your dragons and learning to face anxieties, and features original and live music. The running time is 55 minutes, and it will be playing at artsdepot on 13 October and Lyric Hammersmith from 22 to 25 October. You’ve Got Dragons is recommended for children aged 3 to 10.

The Gruffalo at artsdepot
The much-loved stage adaptation of popular Julia Donaldson and Axel Scheffler children’s book The Gruffalo will be playing at artsdepot from 22 to 27 October. The show, produced by Tall Stories, tells the story about the mouse who takes a stroll through the deep dark woods, meeting a fox, an owl and a snake. The running time is 55 minutes without interval, and it is recommended for children aged 3 years and older.

Monstersaurus! at artsdepot
Families with young children can also head to artsdepot for Monstersaurus!, a new show by the creators of Aliens Love Underpants. Monstersaurus! tells the story about a young inventor and is recommended for ages 3 and over. The running time is around 50 minutes and the show is playing on 10 November.

There are also a number of family-friendly musicals playing on West End, including Disney’s The Lion King at Lyceum Theatre, Disney’s Mary Poppins at Prince Edward Theatre (from 23 October) and Matilda The Musical at Cambridge Theatre.

Tags: Annie, Musical, New Wimbledon Theatre, Oi Frog, Rose Theatre, What's on stage