What’s on stage for kids in London half term 2017
Gostinitsa on Eel Brook Common
Fulham’s Eel Brook Common will see the arrival of the Moscow State Circus this half term, and audiences can experience the circus’s latest production Gostinitsa, promising a breathtaking performance with clowns, acrobatics, trapeze artists, juggling and more. There will be performances from 18 to 29 October, and tickets can be booked online or by phone. There is a special offer on where you can buy 2 full price adult tickets for the price of 1 by calling the box office on 020 3375 3970 and quoting ‘Juggler’. This is not valid in conjunction with any other discount or against tickets already purchased. For full terms and conditions contact the box office.
At Leicester Square Theatre, West End Magic Presents brings magic to a family audience with a series of one-man monthly magic shows recommended for children aged 5 and over. There are one-hour long magic shows scheduled for both 21 and 28 October at 4pm, and families can expect magic, comedy and illusions from a top magician. Before each magic show there is also a 90-minute Magic Workshop at 1.30pm for children aged 7 to 13.
Around the World in 80 Days at Rose Theatre
To take a journey abroad without leaving London, head to Rose Theatre in Kingston where Around the World in 80 Days will be playing from 17 to 22 October. The show tells the story of Phileas Fogg and his loyal valet, Passepartout, who set out to circumnavigate the globe in 80 days to win a bet. They travel from Victorian London, visiting the different continents in a race against the clock. The cast of eight play over 125 characters in this production, which is recommended for ages seven and over. Running time is around two hours and twenty minutes, including interval. We were impressed with the brilliant and funny Passepartout when we went to see the show at Cadogan Hall in August.
Dr. Zeiffal, Dr. Zeigal and the Hippo That Can Never Be Caught! at Oval House
Mouths of Lions brings their Edinburgh Fringe family favourite show Dr. Zeiffal, Dr. Zeigal and the Hippo That Can Never Be Caught! to Oval House this October half term. The award-winning family comedy tells the story about the forgetful Dr. Zeiffal, who is trying to catch the hippo with her patented hippo instruments: the Invisible Hippo Blanket, the Hippo Google Goggles and a blizzard of Hippo packaging. The show is recommended for all ages, and running time is 60 minutes.
My Brother, My Sister and Me at Polka Theatre
On 18 October, Polka Theatre sees the opening of a new Sarah Argent production My Brother, My Sister and Me, which will be running until 11 February. Sarah Argent specialises in shows for young audiences, and has made several of the shows I’ve seen in recent years, all exploring topics relevant to little ones. In this show, it is all about sibling relationships, and it tells the story about a little sister who has to share a room with her big brother after the arrival of a new baby in the family. The show is recommended for children aged 2 to 5.
The Hunting of the Snark at Rose Theatre
For a journey into the imaginative world of Alice in Wonderland creator, Lewis Carroll, catch musical comedy The Hunting of the Snark at Rose Theatre in Kingston. The show is a high-energy, ultra-modern adaptation inspired by Carroll’s classic poem, and it tells the story about the ship and crew going on a voyage to hunt an imaginary creature. The Hunting of the Snark is recommended for theatre-goers aged 4 to 94, and it is playing at Rose Theatre from 24 to 28 October. The running time is around 70 minutes.
Burglar Bill at Lyric Hammersmith
The stage adaptation of classic Janet and Allan Ahlberg’s picture book Burglar Bill will hit Lyric Hammersmith this half-term. The show by Pied Piper Theatre Company, running from from 24 to 28 October, features a fun set with lots of windows, and Burglar Bill and Burglar Betty tell the story with the help of puppets, music, song and dance. It is recommended for children aged 3 and over, and the running time is 50 minutes.
My Great Orchestral Adventure at Royal Albert Hall
On Wednesday 25 October there is My Great Orchestral Adventure in Royal Albert Hall. The popular family concert, recommended for children aged 3 and over, is set to be a fun musical event, taking the audience on a magical adventure to a mysterious island. I could see events like these helping children get excited about playing instruments!
Little Red Riding Hood at Polka Theatre
At Polka Theatre in Wimbledon, Little Red Riding Hood will be playing on the Main Stage from 25 to 29 October. The show will see two performers constantly swapping characters while retracing Red Riding Hood’s path in the shadowy woods. It is described as a “playful take on the popular fairy tale” by Italian theatre company La Baracca. The show is recommended for children aged 3 to 8.
Laika at Unicorn Theatre
At Unicorn Theatre, children can experience a sci-fi adventure with Laika, a show about braving the unknown. In 1957 Laika was the first animal to orbit earth, and the show fast forwards 100 years and tells the story of Sami in 2057. Sami lives with his mum, an astronaut, and she understands that there could be a better future out in space, so the two face the prospect of – just like Laika – heading off into the unknown. The show, playing from September until 12 November, features puppetry, movement and music and is recommended for children aged 6 to 12.
Friends for All at Polka Theatre
From 20 to 22 October, Polka Theatre welcomes Friends for All to the Main Stage, and the show tells the story of an 8-year-old girl who wishes there was a non-school uniform day, so she could be herself and find others like her. Theatre-goers can expect rapping, dancing and video projections in the performance recommended for 5 to 11 year olds. The running time is 40 minutes.
West End musicals popular with families include Annie, Aladdin, Lion King and Matilda
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