Christmas Return to Barbican for Boy Blue

Following its successful run at the Barbican in March, and at the Theatre Royal Stratford East where it originated in 2006, the hip-hop troupe Boy Blue Entertainment returns to the Barbican for a Christmas season of Pied Piper (10 Dec–3 Jan).

The 90-minute show updates the Brothers Grimm story of the Pied Piper of Hamelin to modern times, including a clever twist on the ideas of disease and cure, child kidnap, and welching on deals. Strong designs and stylish dancing ensured its popularity and won it an Olivier Award.

Boy Blue conclude the Barbican’s Sept–Dec Bite season, which includes several dance shows. There’s Cloud Gate Dance Theatre of Taiwan (6–10 Oct) and Michael Clark (28 Oct–7 Nov), both part of Dance Umbrella, plus acclaimed circus performer (and Charlie Chaplin’s grandson) James Thierree (13–24 Oct). Accompanying Boy Blue at Christmas is Cabaret Simon (16–31 Dec), one of the few cabaret shows aimed at four to ten year-olds.