What's On Children’s Theatre
Artsdepot, N12
020 8369 5454
www.artsdepot.co.uk
Sat 25–Wed 29 May
Spot’s Birthday Party
Spot is having a very special birthday party and you’re invited! With party hats, songs, dancing and lots of interactive party games, this is going to be the best birthday party ever! Join Steve the monkey, Tom the Crocodile and Helen the Hippo to say a big HAPPY BIRTHDAY SPOT! Ages 2–5.
Sun 2 Jun
The Little Prince
‘Has a sheep on a star eaten a rose?’ If that sounds silly then you might be like the King and the Business-Man on their lonely asteroids, forgetting that the most important things can only be understood with the heart. Through mesmerising puppetry and beautiful songs, the boy who fell to earth teaches his friend the Aviator about love, life, and real happiness in this adaptation of one of the bestselling children’s books of all time. Ages 5+.
Sun 23 Jun
Eid Stories
A rich collection of tales of wisdom, wonder and humour from Muslim heritage for families on the occasion of Eid al-Adha featuring Rumi, Sa’adi and Hodja Nasreddin. Ages 5+.
The Beck Theatre
020 8561 8371
www.becktheatre.org.uk
Fri 24-Sat 25 May
In The Night Garden Live
Igglepiggle, Upsy Daisy, Makka Pakka and friends are back in their fun-filled live show
Igglepiggle’s Busy Day! Join Igglepiggle as he looks for his friends in the Night Garden by following their funny sounds until he finds them all!
Chickenshed, N14 020 8292 9222 www.chickenshed.org.uk
Until Fri 12 Jul
Planet Play: Summer Season
Created by the Tales from the Shed team, Planet Play has been specifically devised to encourage play and early communication development in young children. Research has shown that singing songs and rhymes on a regular basis helps to widen your child’s vocabulary and listening skills which are an essential part of learning to read, write and communicate. Ages 0 to 3.
Until Sat 13 Jul
Tales from the Shed: Summer Season
Every carefully planned show incorporates educational songs, movement and language games, which help promote brain development and early learning in young children. Every show is different, with a new theme incorporated into the show each week. Ages 0 to 6.
Fri 17–Fri 24 May
What Kind of World
When a group of children discover all the adults have gone they quickly realise they need to survive on their own. What kind of world will they build for themselves and who will lead them? By day they create the rules and begin working out what to do next; by night, they are haunted by nightmares of a mysterious beast. Forgotten by society, it isn’t long before their childhood games turn into a battle for their future. Ages 7+.
Harrow Arts Centre, HA5 0208 416 8989 www.harrowarts.com
Tue 28 May
Rabbits Out of the Hat
Vaudevillian duo Norvil & Josephine present their magical extravaganza. It’s 1905 and their world will never be the same again. They present a magic show like no other, full of theatrical escapism at its best. With jaw-dropping magic and circus feats plus showstopper songs, Magic Circle magicians Norvil & Josephine share a funny and heartwarming story about being yourself, even if that means standing out from the rest. This show is perfect for ages 7+ but younger audience members are also welcome.
Thu 30 May
The Captain Calamity Science and Bubble Show
Watch in awe as Captain Calamity and his hilarious crew present an electrifying show filled with mindblowing experiments and mesmerising bubble magic. Get ready for stretching slime, pop rockets, smoke rings, flying toilet rolls, and the UK’s best bubble show! Ages 4-12.
Little Angel Theatre, N1 020 7226 1787 www.littleangeltheatre.com
Sat 4 May–Sun 21 Jul
The Curious Rat
The Curious Rat tells the story of Lucien, a lonely city rat who watches the pigeons from his home under Waterloo Bridge and wishes he could join them in the sky. One day he spots the most amazing pigeon and takes his first brave steps to follow her into the lights of the big city… A poignant and poetic tale to inspire children and adults alike. Playfully combining puppetry and animated projection, this story encourages audiences to celebrate the things that make them unique.
Ages 3 - 8 yrs
Sat 18 May – Sat 27 Jul
Prince Charming
Holed up in his bed, Prince Charming is making a list of his worries – from being struck by lightning or getting stuck in quicksand to the problem of his unfortunate name. Somebody needs to come to the Prince’s rescue. This musical is funny, endearing and suitable for anyone who’s ever felt a bit anxious. Ages 6+
Puppet Theatre Barge, W9 020 7249 6876 www.puppetbarge.com
Until Sun 19 May PEA (Little Venice)
Tiffany is twisting and turning and her mind won’t stop whirring- she just can’t fall asleep! She knows there must be a PEA hidden underneath her bed. As Tiffany adventures down through worlds of mattresses and mysteries, she meets the restless bed folk: the bumbling Shepherd and his herd of ‘counting’ sheep, the thieving Bed-Bugs, and of course, the wise old Memory Foam... Join Tiffany on her quest to find the PEA and get a good night’s
sleep. But what is really keeping her awake? Ages 4+
Sat 4 May–Sun 2 Jun
Suitcase Circus (Little Venice)
Meet Wobulous
Discombobulous, the anarchic sock as he presents a line up of extraordinarily talented performing objects, all with their own unique and captivating storylines. Suitcase Circus features the most unlikely of performers including the world’s only acrobatic potato sack, a daredevil ski glove, an incredible dancing milkshake straw, the hypnotic tie snake Windsor Knot and the lovable yet bizarre magical Mexican hat Timrek. Ages 5+
Sat 8–Sun 16 Jun
My Shadow and Me (Little Venice)
My Shadow and Me by Drew Colby is like a cartoon created live out of nothing but darkness and light. One person (and his shadow) meet and go on an incredible, imaginative, shadowy journey where creatures emerge, engage and transform beautifully.
Ages 4+
The Radlett Centre, WD7 01923 859291 www.radlettcentre.co.uk
Wed 29 May
Treasure Island
Head aboard the Jolly Roger for a swashbuckling pantomime adventure like you’ve never seen before ‘Treasure Island.’ Set sail with the talented cast of performers as they take you on an action-packed journey to find the legendary buried treasure. With dazzling costumes, colourful sets and plenty of laughter for the whole family, this Spring & Summer pantomime promises to be an unforgettable experience for everyone.
Sat 1 Jun
Rapunzel
Let your hair down in a tangled adaptation of the popular fairy tale Rapunzel. Scott Ritchie Productions proudly presents this exciting and fun musical adventure. With a wicked witch, a feisty heroine, a tap dancing horse and a host of adventures, Rapunzel promises to be a vibrant take on a classic and much loved story. Ages 5+
Regent’s Park Open Air Theatre 0844 826 4242
www.openairtheatre.com
Fri 17 May–Sat 8 Jun
The Enormous Crocodile
The Enormous Crocodile is weaving his way through the jungle in search of delicious little fingers and squidgy podgy knees. Only the other jungle creatures can foil his secret plans and clever tricks, but they’re going to have to find a large amount of courage to stop this greedy brute. This new musical version of Roald Dahl’s picture book has tasty tunes, a rib-tickling book and lyrics, and features a menagerie of mischievous puppets.
Sat 15 Jun–Sat 20 Jul
The Secret Garden
Spoilt and abandoned, 10-yearold Mary Lennox is sent from India to Yorkshire, and put into the care of an Uncle she has
never met. At Misselthwaite Manor, a broken-hearted house full of secrets and strange noises, Mary discovers a garden as lost and neglected as she is. If she can learn to make friends with robins, grumpy gardeners, and a boy who speaks to animals, Mary might be able to bring more than just the garden back to life.
Watersmeet, WD3 01923 711 063
www.watersmeet.co.uk
Thu 16–Sat 18 May
Aladdin (Youth Theatre
Production)
The classic tale of Aladdin, the poor street urchin who falls in love with a beautiful Princess, gets kidnapped by the Queen’s loyal advisor and sent down a deep dark cave where he meets a Genie who can answer all his prayers. Will Aladdin finally get the girl of his dreams and will the kingdom be saved from the evil clutches of Kazeer and his interesting sidekick Botch?
Sat 25 May
Cinderella Family Panto
Get swept away by one of the most enchanting fairy tales of all time - Cinderella. Full of sidesplitting comedy, stunning sets, beautiful costumes and plenty of boos and hisses. So why not go along and enjoy a must-see magnificent adventure.
Mon 27 May
Exciting Science
This Brand New, Exciting & Educational show will amaze & astound all ages from 4 years and upwards, as we put the “Exciting” back into “Science”. (See what we did there!) With fun and fact filled experiments, watch in amazement as we recreate a volcanic eruption; turn a vacuum cleaner into a missile launcher or take aim at you with our smoke blaster!
Watford Palace Theatre, WD17 01923 225 671
Wed 15 May
Bring Your Own Baby
Bring Your Own Baby Comedy is the award-winning lunchtime comedy show for parents… and you can bring your baby! These shows feature the funniest comedians form TV and the circuit telling their grown up jokes in a totally baby-friendly environment.
Fri 31 May
Morgan & West’s Massive Magic Show For Kids
Roll up, roll up! Morgan & West are back with a massive magic show for kids (and their childish grown-ups)! Expect gawps, gasps, and guffaws in this relentlessly funny and fantastical magic filled extravaganza, guaranteed to delight those aged five and 105, and indeed everyone in between!
Ages 5+
Sat 1 Jun
Milkshake! Live on Holiday
www.watfordpalacetheatre.co.uk Magic Show
Join your favourite Milkshake! friends on Holiday with Chase and Marshall from Paw Patrol, Dora, Pip and Posy, Blue from Blues Clues and You!, Milo, Milkshake! Monkey plus two of your Milkshake! presenters for an all-new adventure! Pack your bags and jump aboard the Milkshake! train as we go on an all singing, all dancing holiday together! It’s a family show not to be missed!
Don’t forget to say you saw these listed in Families magazine!
30 May