What’s on stage for London families summer 2021

Billionaire Boy at The Garrick Theatre
From 17 July to 22 August, the musical adaptation of David Walliams’ Billionaire Boy, produced by Birmingham Stage Company, will be playing at The Garrick 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, and the show is recommended for ages five and over. Read more about the production in my Billionaire Boy review from when it was playing at Richmond Theatre. (Photo above by Mark Douet.)

Zog at Rose Theatre and Cadogan Hall
Charming dragon Zog is scheduled to return to the stage this summer, with the Freckle Productions stage adaptation of Julia Donaldson and Axel Scheffler’s children’s book classic due to entertain audiences at Rose Theatre in Kingston and Cadogan Hall in Chelsea in August. The Zog stage show, directed by Emma Kilbey, tells the story about Zog going to a school where dragons are taught how to be dragons by learning skills like roaring and flying. Zog tries hard to succeed to win a golden star, but everything is a struggle at first, and he keeps needing assistance from the kind Princess Pearl who patches him up when he’s hurt. Theatre-goers can expect catchy songs and live music in the show that lasts around an hour and is recommended for ages 3 and over. Zog is scheduled to play at Rose Theatre from 4 to 11 August and at Cadogan Hall from 18 to 29 August. Read my full review of the show from 2019 at Rose Theatre HERE.

What the Ladybird Heard at Palace Theatre
The stage adaptation of the popular children’s book What the Ladybird Heard by Julia Donaldson and Lydia Monks is scheduled to return to West End this summer. The show, which features live music, puppetry and audience interaction, tells the story of two robbers who try to steal a farmer’s fine prize cow, but a little ladybird has a plan on her own. The show is set to entertain family audiences at Palace Theatre from 15 July to 29 August. Read my full review of the show from 2017 at Lyric Theatre HERE.

The Tiger Who Came to Tea at Theatre Royal Haymarket
Celebrating 12 years on stage, the adaptation of Judith Kerr’s classic children’s book The Tiger Who Came to Tea is set to be playing at Theatre Royal Haymarket from 12 July to 5 September. The show, produced by Nicoll Entertainment and directed by David Wood, tells the charming story of a girl and her mum who have their tea interrupted by a tiger. With catchy songs, audiences can expect to get up on their feet to dance and sing along with the charming cast. The running time is 55 minutes and it is recommended for children aged 3 and over.

Wind in the Willows in Kew Gardens
For an outdoor theatre experience, families can head to Kew Gardens where Kenneth Grahame’s classic story about Ratty, Mole, Badger, Otter and Toad, Wind in the Willows, will be brought to life this summer. The interactive family show promises a lake-side setting, music and lively songs, and the running time is 90 minutes. Wind in the Willows will be playing in Kew Gardens from 24 July to 30 August.

Horrible Histories: Barmy Britain-Part Five at Apollo Theatre
At West End’s Apollo Theatre, families can catch Horrible Histories Barmy Britain–Part Five, presented by The Birmingham Stage Company. The fifth production in the popular series, which is based on the books by Terry Deary, brings history alive with jokes and music, and this sequel covers everything from William the Conqueror to the witch of World War Two. Horrible Histories: Barmy Britain–Part Four is recommended for ages 5 and over, and the running time is 70 minutes. The show is scheduled to be playing at Apollo Theatre from 29 July to 28 August.

Dinosaur World Live at London Wonderground, Earls Court
For families with dinosaur fans, the informative and interactive Dinosaur World Live production is scheduled to return to London for the summer season. The show, playing at London Wonderground in Earls Court from 3 to 31 August, features life-like dinosaur puppets, which are presented by an ‘explorer’, who shares interesting facts about each of them. The running time is around one hour, and the show is recommended for ages 3 and over. Read my review of the production from 2018 HERE.

Tags: Cadogan Hall, Children's theatre, Kew Gardens, Palace Theatre, Rose Theatre, Theatre Royal Haymarket, What's on stage, Wonderground