Saturday, September 18

Children’s Christmas Shows

There is a great selection of shows for children over the Christmas period.

The Polka Theatre for Children in Wimbledon is presenting Lost and Found which is about a little boy who finds a lost penguin and decides to take it home by rowing to the South Pole.  There are two versions: one for babies and toddlers (aged 1-2 years) and another for children aged 3-5 years.

Also at the Polka is the Snow Queen which is suitable for 6-11 year olds and tells the story of two little girls who were inseparable and did everything together until one very cold night when one of them falls under the spell of the evil Snow Queen and is whisked away on her sleigh to her icy palace far away.

The Royal Shakespeare Company in Stratford is presenting Matilda a Musical which is Roald Dahl’s story about a little girl with extra special powers.

The Gruffalo is a magical show for children age 3+ adapted from Julia Donaldson and Axel Scheffler’s popular book.  Join Mouse on a 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...? Showing at the Garrick Theatre.

My Dad's a Birdman is for 5-8 year olds and is showing at the Young Vic Theatre in Waterloo. Pet Shop Boys Neil Tennant and Chris Lowe have written the songs for the show which is about a young girl and her father who enter a human flying bird competition.  But Auntie Doreen disapproves and is out to bring some order back to No.2 Lark Rise! Will the father and daughter duo get a chance to fly, or will something get in their way?

You can join Peppa Pig’s Party at the Criterion Theatre and get involved in 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. Peppa Pig's Party is about a special day which she spends with all her friends including Suzy Sheep, Danny Dog and Emily Elephant.

The Snowman is the stage version of Raymond Briggs' much-loved book returns to the Peacock Theatre this Christmas. When a young boy's snowman comes to life on Christmas Eve, the two set off looking for adventure and meet dancing penguins, reindeer and Father Christmas on their travels. The Snowman flies through the night sky above you, before escaping the clutches of the evil Jack Frost to return home for Christmas morning. Age 2+

The Night Before Christmas at the Ambassadors Theatre tells the story of a lovable but naughty elf that 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. Children at the show will receive a special gift and be able to put their wish-lists into Santa’s post-box. Age: 2+

Bagpuss is paying at the Soho Theatre in Dean Street. It  will featuring all the much-loved characters Emily, the mice, Gabriel the toad, Madeleine the rag doll, the wooden woodpecker and Professor Yaffle. It focuses on young shop owner Emily who restores lost objects to their owners with the help of Bagpuss and friends. Jon Lloyd’s new stage production brings the characters to life by puppetry and song. Age: 7 and under.

A new production of Beauty And The Beast is being staged in the Cottesloe at the National Theatre this Christmas. It will be the second children’s Christmas show to be directed there by Katie Mitchell, with her Dr Seuss’s The Cat In The Hat playing there during the last festive season.  It runs until 5th January. Age 8+
 

You can see Get Santa at the Jerwood Theatre Downstairs from 1st  December-22nd January.

It’s Christmas Eve but Holly isn’t happy as all she’s ever wanted is to meet her real Dad and Santa has failed to deliver, bringing lots of useless presents instead. Holly’s had enough and this year she is  going to wait up for Santa and get the only present she’s ever wanted.

This is the beginning of an adventure which includes a very dim elf called Bumblehole, a machine that changes families and a teddy bear with an evil master plan  Get Santa! is written by Anthony Neilson with music by Nick Powell. Suitable for children aged 7+

The streets of Hammersmith are paved with gold this Christmas as Dick Whittington and his Cat are joined by a cake loving Bollywood Prince, the feisty Alice and of course the delightfully delectable Sarah the Cook.
Dick Whittington and –his Cat plays at the Lyric Theatre in Hammersmith from 27th November,8th January.  It has been written by Joel Horwood & Morgan Lloyd Malcolm. Conceived & Directed by Steve Marmion  Age: 6+

Snow Play at the Lyric Theatre Hammersmith invites children into a magical winter wonderland. Winter has arrived early and is sitting in Patrick's house. Snow Play is about Patrick's hilarious attempts to get rid of Mr Winter (and lots and lots of snow) from inside his home.

Children are invited to throw snowballs and decorate a Christmas tree. After the show everyone will be invited to stay and make a treat to take home as a Christmas decoration: uniquely combining performance and play. Snow Play is on from 2nd December- 2nd January.  It is suitable for ages 2- 7 with a running time of 60 minutes

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.

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