Top ten half term kids shows
©ALASTAIR MUIR
10) Peter Pan Goes Wrong
21 October 2016 to 29 January 2017, Apollo Theatre
Following a stint at the Apollo last year, which WhatsOnStage gave five stars, Mischief Theatre's slipshod take on the children's fairytale returns for a limited run.
Catch it before it hits your TV screens this Christmas as part of BBC One's seasonal schedule. Suitable for ages eight-plus.
© Lewis Wileman
9) Mavis Sparkle
27 to 29 October, Birmingham Rep
Mavis has a magician for a dad and a stargazer for a mum and M6 Theatre Company should tell her story with lots of charm and humour.
Mavis' journey north to see an amazing natural spectacle should inspire the whole family to reach for the stars. Suitable for all ages.
© Marc Brenner/Jamie Hendry Productions
8) The Wind in the Willows
Until 22 October, Theatre Royal Plymouth
25 October to 6 November, The Lowry, Salford
10 to 20 November, Mayflower Theatre, Southampton
After opening at the Theatre Royal Plymouth, Julian Fellowes, George Stiles and Anthony Drewe take their show to Salford before it opens in Southampton and the West End.
Comedian Rufus Hound stars as village squire Mr Toad alongside Fra Fee and Neil McDermott. Suitable for all ages.
7) My Mother Medea
17 October to 26 November, Unicorn Theatre
Austrian playwright Holger Schober brings a completely new take on the Greek myth of Jason and Medea.
Justin Audibert directs the story about teenagers Eriopis and Polyxenos who feel alienated after having to leave Europe and are fed up of being the foreign kids. Suitable for ages 13-plus.
6) Alice's Adventures in Wonderland
24 to 29 October, Lyric Hammersmith
Box Tale Soup bring their version of Lewis Carroll's fairytale to Hammersmith, featuring a dozen colourful handmade puppets.
Alice stumbles through Wonderland as she tries to make it home safely. Suitable for children four and up.
5) Around the World in 80 Days
Until 30 October, Polka Theatre
Explorer Phileas Fogg has just 80 days to get home through four continents using five trains and six ships.
The cast of actors and musicians will accompany him on his adventure which sees him visit the likes of Cairo, Hong Kong and San Francisco.
(© Dan Wooller, 2015)
4) Charlie and the Chocolate Factory
Until 7 January, Theatre Royal Dury Lane
This is one of the last school holidays you get to see Charlie and the Chocolate Factory before it closes in the new year, so we'd suggest getting in line for a ticket.
David Greig's bright, colourful adaptation of Roald Dahl's fabulous book is directed by Sam Mendes and is a treat for the kids and the big kids alike.
3) Let's Fly
Until 20 November, Little Angel Theatre
North London's fabulous Little Angel Theatre is one of the best places to head to with the kids over half-term.
This co-production between the theatre and Goblin follows Emily who can fly and wants to take you on an adventure through the sky over cities and mountaintops. Suitable for ages 2 to 6.
2) Monstersaurus!
25 to 28 October, artsdepot
Based on the 2011 book by Claire Freedman, this new production follows inventor Monty who creates all sorts of weird and wonderful objects and monsters. But now he's made them all, he has no idea what to do with them.
The show is presented by Big Wooden Horse, the company who created the show Aliens Love Underpants. Suitable for all ages.
(© Tall Stories)
1) The Gruffalo
Until 8 January, Lyric Theatre
Tall Stories' winning adaptation of Julia Donaldson and Axel Scheffler's children's book is back in the West End and a great one to delight the younger members of your clan with.
It follows the tail of a cunning mouse who heads into the woods and scares off a fox, an owl and a snake with stories of a terrible Gruffalo. Ages three-plus.
