CHILDREN'S SHOWS
Below is a selection of shows for young children being shown over the next few months. We haven't listed performance times for all of them because they vary from day to day.
You can also find out all about the Unicorn Theatre for Children and Polka Children's Theatre with details of their locations, how to get there and information on disabled access.
There is also a UK tour of Roald Dahl's George's Marvellous Medicine going on until the end of the year which you can find out more about by clicking on the link. Peppa Pig's Party and The Night Before Christmas are detailed below and are coming into the West End playing for the few weeks leading up to Christmas.
Finally there is a real nostalgic treat in store with a production of The Railway Children which is playing in the old Eurostar Terminal at Waterloo Station.
If you click on the image for the production or the booking link you are interested in it will take you through to the online booking site where you can find out more about show times and book tickets.
The shows are listed below in their date order:
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Pirates
Polka Theatre, 240 The Broadway, Wimbledon, London SW19 1SB
19th June-7th August
Jim is kidnapped from his bedroom by pirates wanting their treasure back. He sets sail on the high seas for thrills and adventures, but can he escape the pirates and find a way home from the year 1718? And can he solve the mystery of the treasure chest? ever be solved? This is a ship full of fun, magic, excitement....and sharks!
Adventures for 7-11 year olds
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Skitterbang Island
Polka Theatre, 240 The Broadway, Wimbledon, London SW19 1SB
7th July-21st August
Shipwrecked in a bad storm and washed up on a bleak and craggy island in the north of the world, a brave little girl meets a strange and curious creature who has a cave full of old metal and junk washed up from the sea. He shows her his latest collection, which sounds so beautiful, but who does it really belong to?
This is a heart-warming tale of discovery and friendship which reveals a fantasy world full of music, song and harmony. Drawing on the expertise from the world of puppetry and opera, Slitterbang Island is a summer treat for younger children.
3-6 year olds
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Gruffalo Tour
The children’s show the Gruffalo is currently on tour until 18th September 2010 visiting venues all over the UK including Liverpool Empire, Plymouth Theatre Royal, Blackpool Grand, Hayes Beck Theatre, Richmond Theatre, Palace Theatre Newark, Bristol Hippodrome, Grand Opera House York, Bournemouth Pavilion, Palace Theatre Southend, Newbury Corn Exchange, Brighton Theatre Royal, Towersey Festival Oxford, St Andrews Byre Theatre, Glasgow Theatre Royal and the Sheffield Lyceum
The Gruffalo is a magical children’s show adapted from Julia Donaldson and Axel Scheffler’s popular book. With over three million copies sold worldwide it was recently voted the nation's number one bedtime story by BBC Radio 2 listeners.
Join Mouse on an adventurous journey through the deep dark wood. Meet a wheeler-dealer Fox, an eccentric old Owl, a maraca-shaking and a party-mad Snake! Mouse can scare hungry animals away with tall stories of the terrifying Gruffalo, but what happens when he comes face to face with the very creature he imagined...?
Click on the image above to book tickets for the Gruffalo.
Age: 3+
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The Go! Go! Go! Show for Kids
Leicester Square Theatre,6 Leicester Place, London WC2H 7BZ
20th July-30th August
Show Times: Tuesday - Friday 2.30pm/Saturday & Sunday: 11am & 2.30pm/Monday 30 August: 2.30pm
www.leicestersquaretheatre.com
Mike Stock was a member of the 1980’s song writing partnership Stock Aitken Waterman who produced over 100 UK top 40 hits and sold more than 40 million records. Penning number one hits for artists including Kylie Minogue, Jason Donovan, Rick Astley and Paul McCartney. He has now written Go! Go! Go! which is a family extravaganza featuring five young performers, brand new pop songs and a sock-stealing ‘Fluffalope’!
The Go! Go! Go! Show is the first production from Stock's company The Show 4 Kids, which aims to “fill a gap in the market for high quality children’s entertainment”.
The show is directed by Carole Todd (Dreamboats & Petticoats) and features music by Mike Stock and Steve Crosby, with the book by Dean Wilkinson and choreography by Paul Domaine (So You Think You Can Dance).
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Room on the Broom
Garrick Theatre, Charing Cross Road, WC2H 0H H
28th July-29th August Show times: Tuesday to Sunday at 11:00 and Sunday at 14:00
Click on the image to reserve tickets.
Room on the Broom is adapted from the best-selling book written by Julia Donaldson and illustrated by Axel Scheffler who are the creators of The Gruffalo!
The story is about a witch and her cat who are flying along on her broomstick when a gust of wind blows her hat, bow and wand away into the night.
They enlist the help of a daft dog, a beautiful bird and a friendly frog and the witch’s lost belongings are found. But her broomstick is not meant for five and it snaps in two!
Then a hungry dragon appears so who will save the poor witch? And will there ever be room on the broom for everyone?
The minimum recommended age for children seeing the show is 3 years old and the running time is 55 minutes.
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Fantastic Mr Fox
Little Angel Theatre, 14 Dagmar Passage, Cross Street, London N1 2DN
11th September-7th November
Roald Dahl’s Fantastic Mr Fox tells the story of Mr Fox and his battle against three greedy farmers, Boggis, Bunce and Bean, who will stop at nothing to get rid of him trying to shoot, starve and dig him out of his hole. But Mr Fox is cleverer than all of them and comes up with a cunning plan of his own.
Roald Dahl's classic tale of wit and determination is brought to life with ingenious puppets and enchanting music. Discover the thrill of the chase and join Mr Fox and his family underground as they battle to save themselves and the rest of the countryside from disaster.
Young puppet enthusiasts can also take part in a Saturday Puppet Club which runs for nine weeks from 25th September to 4th December. After seeing a performance of Fantastic Mr Fox at the beginning of the course, participants are charged with creating their own puppets and developing a short play for performance to family and friends at the end of the course.
Suitable for age 4+ Please note that children under this age will not be allowed into the auditorium.
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Garbage King
Unicorn Theatre, 147 Tooley Street, Southwark, London. SE1 2HZ
25th September-31st October
www.unicorntheatre.com
When Mamo’s mother dies he is abandoned in Addis Ababa where he is stolen by a child-trafficker and sold to a farmer. Escaping back to the city he meets Dani who is another runaway who is very different to himself being rich, educated and fleeing his tyrannical father. Together they join a gang of homeless street boys who survive by mutual bonds of trust and total dependence on each other.
This first ever stage adaptation of Elizabeth Laird’s acclaimed novel features live music and a stunning design by Jean Chan for The Linbury Prize Award.
Children age 10+
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Mission to Mars
Polka Theatre, 240 The Broadway, Wimbledon, London SW19 1SB
1st October-6th November
It's 2035, and we're ready to send the first human beings to Mars. Gail and Stephan have been selected from thousands, and are ready to launch. Their four friends and colleagues are following close behind. We want you to come with them.
Fun, fast-paced and packed with emotion, Unlimited Theatre's new show is based on the real science of planned Mars missions. Join Gail and Stephan as they defy gravity and go further through the solar system than we've ever been before. Ever wondered if you have what it takes? Come and experience all the excitement, danger and discovery of the next giant leap into space...
Suitable for children aged 7-11 years
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Lost and Found
Polka Theatre, 240 The Broadway, Wimbledon, London SW19 1SB
12th October-12th February 2011
Suitable for children aged 3-5 years
Once there was a little boy who found a penguin at his door but he didn't know where it came from or who it belonged to. The penguin looked sad and the boy thought it must be lost, so he decided to help it find its way home. Even if that meant rowing all the way to the South Pole.
This simple and touching tale of friendship is an adaptation of an Oliver Jeffers' picture books of friendship and is the perfect festive treat for a younger audience.
Lost & Found Toddler Version
26th October-10th February,2011
Suitable for children aged 1-2 years
Enjoy a special version of Lost and Found as described above, but presented as a tailor-made version for children aged 1 - 2 years and running for just 30 minutes in length.
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Matilda
Royal Shakespeare Company, The Courtyard Theatre, Southern Lane
Stratford-upon-Avon,CV37 6BB
9th November-30th January 2011
The story of Matilda is a dark tale about a remarkable little girl who is mistreated and underappreciated at home. She takes sanctuary in the local Library where she reads all the children’s books and then moves on to the adult ones, much to the amazement of the librarian, who helps her develop her growing passion for reading and learning
When Matilda realises she has special powers she embarks on a mission to get back at her parents.
Matilda eventually goes to school, where she meets her class teacher Miss Honey. They get along wonderfully and Miss Honey allows Matilda to further develop her growing intellect and over the course of her first term at school they have a profound effect on each other’s lives.
Matilda, A Musical is being directed by Matthew Warchus. The book is by Dennis Kelly and music and lyrics by Australian comedian Tim Minchin.
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The Snow Queen
Polka Theatre, 240 The Broadway, Wimbledon, London SW19 1SB
19th November-5th February, 2011
Kai and Gerda were two friends who were inseparable and did everything together. Until one very cold night when Kai falls under the spell of the evil Snow Queen and is whisked away on her sleigh to her icy palace far away.
Gerda sets out to try and save Kai from the Snow Queen and remove the splinter of glass in his heart undertaking an epic journey across rivers, forests and snow to reach him.
The snow Queen is an enchanting tale of friendship and discovery based on Hans Christian Andersen’s classic fairytale.
Suitable for children aged 6-11 years
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Peppa Pig's Party
Criterion Theatre, 218-223 Piccadilly, Piccadilly Circus, London, W1
29th November - 19th December
Click on the image to book tickets
Peppa Pig's Party will take the daytime slot at the Criterion running in tandem with the The 39 Steps.
Peppa’s show features new Peppa Pig songs, train rides, cake baking and plenty of games for everyone to take part in. The story is all about the little pig Peppa who lives with her brother George, Mummy Pig and Daddy Pig. Everyday activities include playing games, making new friends and jumping up and down in muddy puddles.
But Peppa Pig's Party is about a special day which is Peppa Pig's birthday which she spends with all her friends including Suzy Sheep, Danny Dog and Emily Elephant.
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The Night Before Christmas
Ambassadors Theatre, West Street, WC2H 9ND
7th to 24th December
Click on the image to book tickets
The Night before Christmas children’s show will run at the Ambassadors Theatre for 33 day time performances on the lead up to Christman. The dance spectacular Stomp will still be performing at the Ambassadors Theatre in the evening.
The Night Before Christmas tells the story of a lovable but naughty elf who is busy in Father Christmas’ workshop wrapping all the presents for delivery. But what is he hiding and is he secretly keeping some toys for himself.
With a little help from the audience Father Christmas explains the real meaning of Christmas is a show of songs, poems and stories.
Children will also “receive a special gift” and be able to put their wish-lists into Santa’s post-box.
Age: 2+
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The Machine Gunners
Polka Theatre, 240 The Broadway, Wimbledon, London SW19 1SB
11th February-9th April 2011
It's 1940 and Britain is at war. Chas McGill has the second best collection of war souvenirs in town but wants it to be the best so amidst the bombs and air raids, Chas and his friends plan their own war effort in their newly built bunker. Friendships are forged and loyalties tested in the adventure of a lifetime...
The Machine Gunners won the Carnegie Medal and was recently voted one of the 10 most important children’s novels of the past 70 years. This moving and touching story vividly recreates life in Britain during World War II.
Suitable for children aged 9-13 years
