Kids

Under-sevens | Pantomimes | Older kids | Try these | Adults only

Under-sevens
Brilliant Nov 21-Dec 27In this luminous Fevered Sleep production, as sleep evades a restless child, she discovers a world of light behind the curtains and a series of illuminated episodes that pierce the darkness ensue. Age 3+.
Lyric Hammersmith (Studio), W6 (0870 050 0511/www.lyric.co.uk). £8, children £6, family ticket £25.

CBeebies Live! Treasure Hunt Dec 20, 21New Christmas show for pre-school telly addicts, featuring Stephanie from Lazytown, Squiglet, Underground Ernie and a host of other CBeebies characters. Babes-in-arms under one year welcome.
Wembley Arena (0844 815 0815/www.wembley.co.uk). £15.50-£22.50; children £12.50-£19; family ticket £52-£77. Feature continues

The Giraffe and the Pelly and Me Nov 22-Feb 1 2009Under-twos go free at baby-friendly performances (Dec 13, 20, Jan 10, 31). A musical puppet spectacular adapted from a story by Roald Dahl about a small boy who joins forces with a giraffe, a pelican and a monkey to start a ladderless window-cleaning company. Directed by Peter O’Rourke. Age 3+. Baby-friendly performances available.
Little Angel Theatre, N1 (020 7226 1787/www.littleangeltheatre.com). £12.50, children and concs £10, family ticket £40, £5 Fri 5pm.

The Gruffalo Nov 26-Jan 4 2009Tall Stories have adapted Julia Donaldson and Axel Scheffler’s picture book about a mouse’s woodland adventures and embellished the story by fleshing out the characters of the predators who would like to turn the mouse into dinner. The result is an exuberant, funny show with catchy tunes. Age 3+.
Duchess Theatre, WC2 (0870 890 1103/www.duchesstheatre.co.uk). £11.50-£14.50.

Handa’s Surprise Dec 16-28This half-hour show incorporating Swahili rhythms captures the gentle wit of Eileen Browne’s popular picture book and ends with the offer of tangerine segments from a little basket. Age 2+.
Stratford Circus, E15 (020 8279 1015/www.stratford-circus.com). £5.

How Long Is a Piece of String? Dec 6-Jan 4 2009Oily Cart’s interactive promenade performance, featuring arresting visuals and live music, exploring the wonders of string. By Joe Coehlo, co-written and directed by Tim Webb. Age 2-6.
Unicorn Theatre, SE1 (020 7645 0560/www.unicorntheatre.com). £9.50, concs £6.50, family ticket £28.

How to Catch a Star Nov 26-Feb 28 2009Based on a picture book by Oliver Jeffers, this show is accessible to non-hearing audiences and those who don’t have English as a first language. Age 2-5, with a specially adapted 30-minute version for children aged 6 months to two years.
Polka Theatre, SW19 (020 8543 4888/www.polkatheatre.com). £8, children £7, concs £6.

The Night Before Christmas Dec 13-Jan 4The story of a young girl on Christmas Eve – a new festive show from Big Wooden Horse, the company behind ‘Don’t Let the Pigeon Drive the Bus’ – featuring audience participation and singalongs. Age 3-7.
Artsdepot, N12 (020 8369 5454/www.artsdepot.co.uk). £10, children and concs £8, family ticket £32.

Petrushka Dec 20 Join a mysterious and magical travelling showman as he visits an old Russian fair and his puppets come to life. This performance features British Sign Language. Age 3+.
Half Moon Young People’s Theatre, E1 (020 7709 8900/www.halfmoon.org.uk). £5. 11am and 2pm.

Seven Cinderellas Dec 3-21Theatre Peckham presents a production that uncovers the behind-the-scenes drama that accompanies the staging of a school panto. Age 3+.
Theatre Peckham, SE5 (020 7708 5401/www.theatrepeckham.co.uk). £7, children £4.50.

The Snowman Dec 3-Jan 11This dance show from Birmingham Rep, based on the wordless picture book by Raymond Briggs, is a Christmas perennial featuring a snowman built by a lonely boy who comes to life. The delicious choreography is by Robert North. Age 2+.
Peacock Theatre, WC2 (0844 412 4322/www.peacocktheatre.com). £12-£30, family ticket £90.

Stumble! The Clumsy Reindeer Dec 14-16A touring production from Pandora’s Box that provides a happy ending for one exceptionally ungainly reindeer. Songs, puppets, special effects and plenty of opportunities to participate. Age 3-8.
Pleasance Theatre, N7 (020 7609 1800/www.pleasance.co.uk). £7, concs £5, family ticket £20.

The Very Ugly Duckling Dec 20 Jactito Theatre combine classical and African music in an arresting retelling of the fairy tale. Age 3-8.
Lauderdale House, N6 (020 8348 8716/www.lauderdalehouse.co.uk). £4.50, concs £3. 10am and 11.30am.

William’s Monster Dec 1-29 Tall Stories, the theatre company behind the hugely successful ‘Gruffalo’ series, bring more songs, stories and vibrant visuals to the Chelsea Theatre with ‘William’s Monster’. Age up to seven.
Chelsea Theatre, SW10 (020 7352 1967/www.chelseatheatre.org.uk). £7.

Under-sevens | Pantomimes | Older kids | Try these | Adults only

Pantomimes
Cinderella Nov 27-Jan 4 2009Local panto starring ‘On the Buses’ and ‘EastEnders’ star Anna Karen. Age 3+.
Millfield Theatre, N18 (020 8807 6680/www.millfieldtheatre.co.uk). £9-£16.

Cinderella Dec 5-Jan 18 2009Gareth Gates, Joanna Page and Alistair McGowan star in a new panto production of ‘Cinderella’. Suitable for all ages. Babes-in-arms under 18 months welcome.
New Wimbledon Theatre, SW19 (0870 060 6646/www.theambassadors.com/newwimbledon). £15-£27.

Hansel & Gretel Nov 29-Jan 17 2009Hope Massiah and director Dawn Reid offer a contemporary take on a fairy-tale classic, with music from bhangra star Kuljit Bhamra and hip hop DJ Excalibah. Suitable for all ages.
Theatre Royal Stratford East, E15 (020 8534 0310/www.stratfordeast.com). £10-£19, children £6-£12.

Jack and the Beanstalk Dec 2-Jan 4 2009An all-singing, all-dancing musical comedy. Age 4+.
Greenwich Theatre, SE10 (020 8858 7755/www.greenwichtheatre.org.uk). £16-£22, concs £14-£20, all children’s tickets half price, family ticket £55.

Mother Goose Nov 29-Jan 10 2009Following the success of ‘Dick Whittington’ last year, the irrepressible Susie McKenna and dame extraordinaire Clive Rowe return with what promises to be another excellent Hackney Empire panto. Suitable for all ages (over-threes need their own seat).
Hackney Empire, E8 (020 8985 2424/www.hackneyempire.co.uk). £9-£21.50.

Peter Pan Dec 6-Jan 4 2009Brian Blessed stars as deliciously dastardly Captain Hook. Age 4-12.
Ashcroft Theatre, Croydon (020 8688 9291/www.fairfield.co.uk). £16-£22.50, seniors and children £16-£20.

Peter Pan Dec 5-Jan 11 2009Simon Callow and Bonnie Langford star as Captain Hook and the eponymous hero in this classic panto favourite. Suitable for all ages. Children over one must have their own ticket.
Richmond Theatre (0870 060 6651/www.theambassadors.com/richmond). £20-£27, family ticket £63.

Sleeping Beauty Dec 4-Jan 3 2009A new panto production of the fairy-tale favourite. Suitable for all ages.
The Broadway, Barking (020 8507 5607/www.thebroadwaybarking.com). £12.50, under-16s and over-60s £9.50.

Under-sevens | Pantomimes | Older kids | Try these | Adults only

Older kids
Amazônia Nov 27-Jan 24 2009Celebrate Christmas in Brazilian style. The Young Vic’s exuberant festival of music and dance, set in an enchanting Amazonian forest, is written by Colin Teevan and Paul Heritage (AfroReggae), who also directs. The set is by Cirque du Soleil designer Gringo Cardia. Ages 7+.
Young Vic, SE1 (020 7922 2922/www.youngvic.org). £22.50, under-26s £10, schools £8.

Beyond Our Kennel Dec 18-23Wry and engaging performance poetry from John Hegley. Age 7+.
BAC, SW11 (020 7223 2223/www.bac.org.uk). £8, concs and children £5.

A Christmas Carol Dec 11-Jan 4 2009Adrian Berry updates the Dickens classic with music, dance, puppetry and a contemporary north London setting. Age to be confirmed.
Jackson’s Lane, N6 (020 8341 4421/www.jacksonslane.org.uk). £13.50, concs £11.50, schools £9, family ticket £45.

Cinderella Nov 28-Jan 3 2009Melly Still (director of ‘Coram Boy’ and ‘Watership Down’), Norwegian ice-musician Terje Isungset and former Theatre-Rites designer Sophia Clist create a winter wonderland in this fantastical new version of an old favourite. Age 7+.
Lyric Hammersmith (Main House), W6 (0870 050 0511/www.lyric.co.uk). £10-£27, family ticket £50.

Hansel and Gretel Dec 1-Jan 4 2009The classic Grimm fairy tale is reinvented as a promenade adventure based on an original production by the National Theatre of Scotland, presented by Catherine Wheels Theatre Company. Age 8+.
Barbican Theatre, EC2 (0845 120 7550/www.barbican.org.uk). £18, concs £10.

The Jungle Book Dec 9-Jan 24 2009 Return of the Birmingham Stage Company in Rudyard Kipling’s classic story about Mowgli, a young boy raised in the jungle by a family of wolves. Age 5+.
Bloomsbury Theatre, WC1 (020 7388 8822/www.thebloomsbury.com). £17.50, children £10, concs £12, family ticket £49.50.

The Little Prince Dec 4-Jan 10 2009 The magical fable about the extraordinary power of the imagination and the bonds of friendship, first published in France in 1943, gets a musical makeover from Anthony Clarke. Age 7+.
Hampstead Theatre, NW3 (020 7722 9301/www.hampsteadtheatre.com). £15, children £10, family ticket £40.

Michael Rosen’s Pinocchio Nov 14-Feb 7 2009A fresh and funny adaptation by Children’s Laureate and Polka patron Michael Rosen. Age 6+.
Polka Theatre, SW19 (020 8543 4888/www.polkatheatre.com). £13-£15, concs and schools £10.

Oliver! From Dec 12 and booking to Sept 26 2009With a cast and orchestra of more than a hundred, including the winners of BBC reality TV show ‘I’d Do Anything’, Lionel Bart’s musical masterpiece returns to the West End stage with Rowan Atkinson as Fagin, direction from Rupert Goold and choreography by Matthew Bourne. Ages 3+.
Theatre Royal Drury Lane, WC2 (020 7494 5095/www.theatreroyaldrurylane.co.uk). £17.50-£60.

Sleeping Beauty Dec 2-Jan 24 2009A new ‘Sleeping Beauty’ full of mischief and magic, from the team behind ‘Duck!’ and ‘Journey to the River Sea’. Written by Rosy Fordham and directed by Rosamunde Hutt. Age 6+.
Unicorn Theatre, SE1 (020 7645 0560/www.unicorntheatre.com). £18, children and concs £12, family ticket £48.

The Twelve Days of Christmas Dec 3-Jan 17 2009The award-winning north London theatre company use music and dance to transform a traditional Christmas song into a brand new family production. All performances feature British Sign Language. Suitable for all ages.
Chickenshed, N14 (020 8292 9222/www.chickenshed.org.uk). £12-£18, concs available.

War Horse Until Jan 1 2009Nick Stafford’s adaptation of Michael Morpurgo’s ‘War Horse’, directed by Marianne Elliott and Tom Morris, designed by Rae Smith and Handspring Puppet Company, with music by Adrian Sutton and Olivier Award-winning choreography by Toby Sedgwick. The story of one boy and his horse amid the horrors of WWI brought to life with projected images and extraordinary life-size horse puppets. Age 12 +.
National Theatre Olivier, SE1 (020 7452 3000/www.nationaltheatre.org.uk). £8.50-£41.

Under-sevens | Pantomimes | Older kids | Try these | Adults only

Or try these…
Angelmoth Dec 18-Jan 3 2009A collaboration between choreographer Liv Lorent, couture designer Paul Shriek, set designer Phil Eddolls, writer and narrator Ben Crompton, composer Andy Ross and lighting designer Malcolm Rippeth. The production incorporates dance, music and narration, woven around the bittersweet tale of librarian Pippanouska and the dispossessed characters who seek refuge in the library. Age 4+.
Lilian Baylis, EC1 (0844 412 4300/www.sadlerswells.com). £15, family ticket £45.

Cirque du Soleil: Quidam Jan 4-Feb 7 2009Lavish costumes and staging, spectacular acts, a (usually baffling) narrative thread and eye-watering ticket prices. There will be an audio-described matinee of ‘Quidam’ on January 31 at 3pm.
Royal Albert Hall, SW7 (020 7838 3110/www.royalalberthall.com). £18-£69.50.

Edward Scissorhands Dec 2-Jan 18 2009Revival of Matthew Bourne’s popular touring dance production of the gothic fairy tale of the boy with scissors for hands. Age 5+.
Sadler's Wells, EC1 (0844 412 4300/www.sadlerswells.com). £10-£50.

Hansel und Gretel Dec 9-Jan 1 2009There’s a family performance of Engelbert Humperdinck’s darkly delicious opera on December 14 at 2pm. Age 12+.
Royal Opera House, WC2 (020 7304 4000/www.roh.org.uk). £5-£110.

Lost and Found Orchestra Dec 19-Jan 11 2009The creators of Stomp go symphonic with their biggest, most energetic and entertaining production yet, transforming everyday junk and clutter into an irresistible theatrical event. Directed by Luke Cresswell and Steve McNicholas. Suitable for all ages.
Royal Festival Hall, SE1 (0871 663 2584/www.southbankcentre.co.uk). £12-£45 (until Dec 20), £14-£55 (from Dec 21).

The Nutcracker Dec 15-Jan 10 2009Peter Wright’s evergreen staging of the classic seasonal ballet, combining Tchaikovsky’s score and the late Julia Trevelyan Oman’s nostalgic designs. Age 5+.
Royal Opera House, WC2 (020 7304 4000/www.roh.org.uk). £6-£97, matinees £5-£70.

Under-sevens | Pantomimes | Older kids | Try these | Adults only

Strictly for adults
August: Osage Country Nov 21-Jan 21 2009Acclaimed Chicago theatre group Steppenwolf brings its scorching production of Tracy Letts’ American drama to the National. As family dysfunction goes, this should be a lot classier than goings-on in Albert Square.
National Theatre Lyttelton, SE1 (020 7452 3000/www.nationaltheatre.org.uk). £10-£41.

La Clique Oct 2-Feb 1 2009It was a hit at the Edinburgh Fringe, but can this cult variety show draw audiences into the Hippodrome as easily as their rubber-man Captain Frodo slides his dislocated body through two tennis rackets? Christmastime will tell.
London Hippodrome, WC2 (020 7907 7097/www.thelondonhippodrome.com). £15-£55.

Twelfth Night Dec 5-Mar 7 2009Derek Jacobi fulfils a long-held ambition when he dons yellow tights (cross-gartered) and plays Malvolio. Shakespeare’s comedy was first performed for Twelfth Night at Middle Temple Hall: it now follows ‘Ivanov’ in the Donmar West End season.
Wyndham’s Theatre, WC2 (0870 040 0046/www.delfontmackintosh.co.uk). £10-£32.50.

Wig Out! Nov 3-Jan 10 2009The Royal Court gets its nipple tassels on this Christmas with young American Tarell Alvin McCraney’s play, an all-singing, all-prancing catwalk-showdown between rival drag houses. With post-show acts and a £45 meal deal, the Royal Court bar will join in the cabaret.
Royal Court Theatre, SW1 (020 7565 5000/www.royalcourttheatre.com). £10-£25, meal deal £45.

Under-sevens | Pantomimes | Older kids | Try these | Adults only