What’s on stage for London families winter 2018
Nogging the Nog at Rose Theatre
From 25 to 28 January a stage show based on the Viking Age-themed TV series Nogging the Nog will be playing at Rose Theatre in Kingston. The show will take audiences to the “Lands of the North where the black rocks stand guard against the cold sea, the Men of the Northlands sit around their great log fires and they tell a tale–the sagas of Noggin the Nog”. Audiences can expect puppets and live music in the one-hour show. (Photo above by Richard Davenport)
OVO at Royal Albert Hall
OVO, which means ‘egg’ in Portuguese, premiered in Montreal in 2009, and the show debuted in the UK at Royal Albert Hall in January. The high-energy production is a celebration of nature and features a 50-person strong cast. Audiences can expect first-class circus acts, including juggling, trampoline artists and trapeze performers, performed in a plant and insect-themed show. OVO will be performed at Royal Albert Hall until 4 March 2018, and later this year, OVO will embark on a UK arena tour. Read my review HERE.
Peppa Pig’s Adventure at New Wimbledon Theatre
On 21 and 22 February Peppa Pig will hit the stage at New Wimbledon Theatre in a new live show Peppa Pig’s Adventure. The show sees Peppa and friends going on a camping trip, and audiences can expect charming puppets, live music and giggles. The running time is one hour and 20 minutes, including interval. Peppa Pig’s Adventure is currently on tour in the UK, and it is also playing at Hackney Empire 10-11 February and Richmond Theatre 23-24 May.
The Jungle Book at Richmond Theatre
From 7 to 10 February the Rudyard Kipling family classic The Jungle Book will be brought to life at Richmond Theatre. The new adaptation is a Children’s Touring Partnership and Royal & Derngate, Northampton co-production featuring memorable characters and new songs. The show tells the story of Mowgli the man cub, who is raised by wolves in the jungle, and it is recommended for over 6s.
Hare & Tortoise at Lyric Hammersmith
For February half-term, Hare & Tortoise, a production by Pied Piper Theatre Company, will hit Lyric Hammersmith and tell the well-known story about the speedy hare and the slow tortoise who do a race. The show, recommended for ages 3 to 7, is a funny and colourful adaptation filled with music and movement. It is playing from 13 to 17 February and the running time is 50 minutes.
Tiddler and Other Terrific Tales at Richmond Theatre
On 12 and 13 February Tiddler and Other Terrific Tales will be playing at Richmond Theatre, and the Scamp Theatre production sees popular Julia Donaldson and Axel Scheffler titles brought to life. The show, recommended for ages 3 and over, weaves together stories from Tiddler, Monkey Puzzle, The Smartest Giant in Town and A Squash and a Squeeze, featuring live music, puppetry and colourful characters. Toddler and Other Terrific Tales was playing at Leicester Square Theatre in the summer, and you can read my review HERE. (Picture from Tiddler and Other Terrific Tales Courtesy of Steve Ullathorne).
Me and My Bee at Royal Festival Hall
ln February, Southbank Centre is hosting its Imagination Children’s Festival, which includes an array of family-friendly workshops, talks and shows. One of these is Me and My Bee–a production by theatre company ThisEgg. The one-hour comedy, recommended for children aged 7 and over, invites audiences to save the world one bee at a time–plant the seed for change and join the Bee Party. It will be playing at Royal Festival Hall from 10 to 12 February.
My Brother, My Sister and Me at Polka Theatre
The new Sarah Argent production My Brother, My Sister and Me explores sibling relationships and is playing in the Adventure Theatre at Wimbledon’s Polka Theatre until 11 February. The 45-minute show, recommended for ages 2 to 5, 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. Read my review HERE.
The Snow Queen at Polka Theatre
The Christmas season saw the arrival of The Snow Queen at Polka Theatre, a stage adaptation of the classic wintery Hans Christian Andersen fairy tale. The show, adapted by Mike Kenny, tells the story about best friends Kai and Gerda and Gerda’s journey to save Kai after he’s taken by the Snow Queen. The show lasts approximately 1 hour 45 minutes, including interval, and it is recommended for ages 5 to 11. It is playing until 4 February.
Pinocchio at National Theatre
The National Theatre’s production of Pinocchio, recommended for ages 8 and over, opened on 1 December and is booking until spring. The production by Dennis Kelly features music and songs from the Walt Disney film, including I’ve Got No Strings, Give a Little Whistle and When You Wish upon a Star in new arrangements.
Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde at Rose Theatre
For adults or older children Rose Theatre will present an adaptation of Robert Louis Stevenson’s classic thriller Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde from 9 to 17 February. The Rose Theatre Kingston and Touring Consortium Theatre Company co-production will star actor Phil Daniels as Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde.
A stage adaptation of Roald Dahl’s George’s Magical Medicine is coming to Rose Theatre on 28 March and the one and a half hour show is recommended for ages 5 and over.
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