What’s on stage for kids in London in July/August 2017

Tiddler and Other Terrific Tales at Leicester Square Theatre
Some of the best loved Julia Donaldson and Axel Scheffler titles will be brought to life this summer in the Tiddler and Other Terrific Tales live show, which will hit West End’s Leicester Square Theatre on 8 July. The show weaves together the stories from Tiddler, Monkey Puzzle, The Smartest Giant in Town and A Squash and a Squeeze, featuring live music, puppetry and colourful characters. Tiddler and Other Terrific Tales will be playing until 3 September. (Picture from Tiddler and Other Terrific Tales Courtesy of Steve Ullathorne).

The Borrowers at Polka Theatre
At Polka Theatre in Wimbledon, the summer season has started with The Borrowers hitting the Main Stage. The stage adaptation of the classic book by Mary Norton, first published in 1952, tells the story about Arrietty who has lived her whole life beneath the floorboards, dreaming of the great outdoors, and one day gets to go upstairs with her father to learn the tricks of borrowing. When the humans discover their secret world, Arrietty and her family embark on a journey to find a new home. The show, playing until 20 August, is recommended for children aged five to 11 and running time is 1 hour and 45 minutes.

Around the World in 80 Days at Cadogan Hall
To take a journey abroad without leaving London, head to Cadogan Hall where Around the World in 80 Days will be playing from 2 August to 2 September. 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 agains 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.

What the Ladybird Heard at Lyric Theatre
The stage adaptation of the popular children’s book What the Ladybird Heard by Julia Donaldson and Lydia Monks will hit West End on 5 July. 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 playing at Lyric Theatre on Shaftesbury Avenue from 5 July for a limited summer run until 10 September.

Roald Dahl’s Fantastic Mr Fox at Lyric Hammersmith
The stage adaptation of Roald Dahl’s Fantastic Mr Fox debuted at Lyric Hammersmith in January, and the musical production will be back by popular demand from 26 July to 20 August. The witty show tells the story of Mr Fox who steals food from three farms, and the angry, horrible farmers Boggis, Bunce and Bean team up to kill the clever fox. Roald Dahl’s Fantastic Mr Fox is now recommended for children aged six and over, and my full review is available HERE. (Photo by Manuel Harlan)

Hatch at Polka Theatre
For two to five-year-olds, Polka Theatre in Wimbledon presents Hatch this summer–a new co-production with Polka and Royal Opera. Hatch, composed by Brazilian percussionist and composer Adriano Adewale and co-directed by Adewale, and Polka’s Artistic Director Peter Glanville, is a sensory experience with rich rhythm and a blend of sights and sounds influenced by samba and jazz. The show will be playing from 7 July to 27 August.

We’re Going on a Bear Hunt at Cadogan Hall
Michael Rosen’s award-winning children’s classic We’re Going on a Bear Hunt is being brought alive on stage this spring and summer, visiting 30 theatres on a UK tour. The show tells the story of the family and their musical dog who go on a quest to find a bear, and theatre-goers can expect catchy songs, a varied performance and interactive scenes. From 3 August to 3 September the show will be on at Cadogan Hall in Chelsea, and my full review is available HERE.

Flip FabriQue
Flip FabriQue, the new faces of Canadian circus, has arrived in London with Catch Me at Southbank’s Underbelly Festival. The show, which is recommended for all ages, opened on 17 May and is running until 9 July. Audiences can expect high flying acrobats, dramatic turns on a trampoline and inventive parkour in the 75-minute performance.

The Wind in the Willows at London Palladium
The new musical based on the children’s classic by Kenneth Grahame, The Wind in the Willows, hits London Palladium on 16 June, and is set out to be a family hit. It tells a story of friendship and courage, with Mole setting out on an adventure and meeting new friends Ratty, Badger and Toad. The musical by Oscar-winning screenwriter and Downton Abbey Creator Julian Fellowes features music from Olivier Award-winning composer and lyricist George Stiles and Anthony Drewe, and it’s recommended for children aged 6 years and over.

Gangsta Granny at Garrick Theatre
The stage show based on David Walliams’ popular book Gangsta Granny will debut on West End this summer, playing at Garrick Theatre from 26 July to 3 September. The show, recently nominated for a UK Theatre Award for Best Show for Children and Young People, tells the story of Ben, who is expecting a boring Friday night when staying with his Granny, embarks on the adventure of a lifetime with his very own Gangsta Granny.

My First Ballet: Cinderella at The Peacock
My First Ballet: Cinderella, which was playing at The Peacock over Easter, returns for a second run from 18-23 July. The My First Ballet series by English National Ballet and English National Ballet School is designed for children aged 3 years and over, and the shows allow families to experience a ballet production in a relaxed and child-friendly environment with a narrator and two acts of around 30 minutes each. This year’s fairy tale ballet tells the story of Cinderella who wasn’t allowed to go to the ball and was treated badly by her stepsisters. My full review is available HERE. (Photo by Arnaud Stephenson)

Tales from the Shed at Barclaycard presents British Summer Time in Hyde Park
Renowned theatre company Chickenshed will be returning to Barclaycard presents British Summer Time in Hyde Park in July with performances of its children’ s show Tales from the Shed, which is recommended for under 6s. The 50-60 minute show, which will be running from Monday 3 July to Wednesday 5 July, will be free to attend, but school tickets must be reserved in advance.

West End musicals popular with families include Annie, Aladdin, Lion King and Matilda

Tags: British Summer Time, Cadogan Hall, Chickenshed, Children's theatre, Cinderella, Flip FabriQue, Gangsta Granny, Hyde Park, Leicester Square Theatre, London Palladium, Lyric Theatre, My First Ballet, New Wimbledon Theatre, Polka Theatre, Southbank, Summer, Tales from the Shed, The Wind in the Willows, Tiddler, Underbelly Festival, We're Going on a Bear Hunt