Top 10 kids theatre shows to see this half term
Suffrajitsu
No half term is complete without a trip to the delightful Little Angel Theatre in Islington and this half term there's two enticing propositions. The first is this co-production with Horse and Bamboo Theatre that tells the story of young mill lass Annie and the suffragettes who used Jiu Jitsu to protect themselves from arrest and police brutality. All told with puppets, of course.
Little Angel Theatre, 23 May to 13 July 2019. Ages 7 to 11.
The Slightly Annoying Elephant
The second show at the Little Angel worth an afternoon of your holidays is this stage adaptation of David Walliams' book. If you haven't already read it, it's about a boy who adopts an elephant at a zoo only to find it (spoiler alert) turn up on his doorstep. It's fair to say that after Gangsta Granny and Billionaire Boy, we love a Walliams' adaptation and we expect this to be no different.
Little Angel Theatre, 10 May to 4 August 2019. Ages 3 to 8.
The Worst Witch
Jill Murphy's The Worst Witch stories have sold more than five million copies worldwide and now all of her beloved characters come to the stage in this new adaptation featuring original songs.
Liverpool Playhouse, 28 May to 1 June 2019. Ages 7 and up.
Monski Mouse's Baby Disco Dance Hall
If you're a parent, chances are you often hark back to the good old days when you could decide, at the drop of a hat, to get your glad rags on and go for a boogie.
Well that doesn't have to stop now, Monski Mouse's Baby Disco Dance Hall invites children aged five and under (and their parents) to get on down to an eclectic selection of retro classics, thumping nursery rhymes and funky tunes. We'll see you on the dance floor.
Underbelly Festival Southbank, 26 May to 28 July 2019. Ages 5 and under.
Trash Test Dummies
Do you find yourself constantly cleaning up after your darling offspring? Then this award-winning show could be just what you needed to teach them a thing or two about cleaning up after themselves. A trio of highly skilled circus performers present a slapstick comedy routine that takes the household wheelie bin to new heights.
Underbelly Festival Southbank, 29 May to 2 June 2019. Ages 3 and up.
We're Going On a Bear Hunt
Direct from the West End, Sally Cookson's adaptation of the much-loved picture book by Michael Rosen and Helen Oxenbury, with music by Benji Bower. Get ready for some swishing and swashing, stumbling and tripping.
NST Campus, 28 May to 2 June 2019. Ages 3 and up.
Dido
Perhaps the best children's theatre in London, if not the world, teams up with one of the world's leading opera companies – the ENO – to present this reimagining of Purcell's Dido and Aeneas, for teenagers and adults. Sung in English with an on-stage seven-piece orchestra, this is a great introduction to opera for your youngsters.
Unicorn Theatre, 11 May to 2 June 2019. Ages 11 and up.
Horrible Histories: Dreadful Deaf
The equally brilliant Deafinitely Theatre and Birmingham Stage Company combine to present this bilingual production – in spoken English and British Sign Language. Horrible Histories: Dreadful Deaf delves into the dreadful, dangerous and deluded stories of the deaf. From groovy Greeks to gorgeous Georgians, ruthless Romans to vile Victorians.
Bristol Old Vic, 29 May to 1 June 2019. Ages 5 and up.
Emilia
© Helen Murray
If you're looking for something with a bit more umph and a side of empowerment, then look no further than Morgan Lloyd Malcolm's superlative new play, Emilia. It tells the untold story of Emilia Bassano, the oft speculated 'dark lady' of Shakespeare's sonnets, in a truly unique way. It also features a diverse all female cast and the odd dab here and there, so it's win/win in our books.
Vaudeville Theatre, until 1 June 2019. Ages 11 and up.
Matilda
But if it's a West End blockbuster you're after then you can never go wrong with the RSC's stage adaptation of Roald Dahl's Matilda. Now in it's ninth year in the West End, it's a wonderful musical featuring songs by funnyman Tim Minchin.
Cambridge Theatre, ongoing. Ages 6 and up.
