Hello – I'm Time Out’s theatre editor and also a parent, something that has a lot of overlap in London, a city with three dedicated kids theatres and where pretty much every other theatre might stage a child-friendly show.
This round up focusses on the flagship shows at London’s kids theatres – that’s the Little Angel, the Unicorn and Polka – plus other major shows aimed at or suitable for youngsters.
On the whole, pre-school and primary children are the age groups best served specifically, because secondary school aged teenagers can generally see adult theatre perfectly well (and will indeed often be made to do so!). So while the odd teen focussed show will make it in here, if you’re looking for something to do with teens why not consult our reviews page or what to book list.
Our London kids’ theatre page normally contains information for all the main children’s shows running in London theatres this month and next month, and is broken down into three categories.
Theatre for all the family is suitable for any age, including adults without children.
Theatre for older children is specifically aimed at school-age children and teenagers.
Theatre for babies, pre-schoolers and younger children does what the title suggests, and also includes shows suitable for younger primary school children.
See also:
50 things to do in London with kids.
The best child-friendly restaurants in London.
The top 9 museums in London for kids.
What is it? This RSC-produced indie musical is a stage adaptation of Chiwetel Ejiofor’s 2019 film about a Malawian boy who uses his technological ingenuity to save his drout-stricken village. Transferring down from Stratford-upon-Avon, the Lynette Linton-directed show is based on the memoir by William Kamkwamba and Bryan Mealer, with a book and lyrics by Richy Hughes and music and lyrics by Tim Sutton. The show is suitable for ages 11-plus.
Where is it? @sohoplace.
What is it? Disney’s big new West End musical is an enjoyable, undemanding adpatation of its beloved 1997 Greek mythology-rooted cartoon film.
Where is it? Theatre Royal Drury Lane.
What is it? It’s the lavish new stage adaptation of the first of Suzanne Collins’s blockbuster YA dystopias. To be absolutely clear they’re YA novels with quite a lot of violence and the age advice for the stage show is a loose 12-plus – but it’s a rare ‘proper’ teen show on the London stage.
Where is it? Troubadour Canary Wharf Theatre.
What is it? Nothing prepares you for the sheer impact of The Lion King's opening sequence: the absurdly successful Disney musical may have been around for decades, but there’s a good reason why the film adapation has become the most successful musical of all time.
Where is it? Lyceum Theatre.
What is it? Matthew Warchus's RSC production of Dennis Kelly and Tim Minchin’s Roald Dahl adaptation remains a treat – the best new British West End musical of the twenty-first century.
Where is it? Cambridge Theatre.
What is it? This is fun: the Unicorn Theatre joins forces with the RSC for a 90 minute version of Shakespeare’s beloved comedy, aimed at ages seven plus. To what extent it’ll feel different to a ‘regular’ production is TBC: you still get a good chunk of Bard in 90 minutes,and the plot synopsis suggests the faeries, lovers and Mechanicals are all present and correct. But certainly it should be a great place to get the wee ones started on our national poet.
Where is it? Unicorn Theatre.
What is it? While super-producer Cameron Mackistosh still has breath in his body we’ll never be too far from the next revival of Lionel Bart’s all-singing Dickens adaptation Oliver!. Fifteen years after the last, it’s back in new guise in a Matthew Bourne directed production that premiered at Chichester Festival Theatre back in the summer to reviews that praised it as comfortingly nostalgic rather than doing anything particularly bold.
Where is it? Gielgud Theatre.
What is it? The Paddington supremacy continues, as the polite Peruvian bear bags himself a big splashy West End musical. West End super-producer Sonia Friedman has done the honours, assembling a crack team headed by playwright Jessica Swale doing the book and kids’ author and McFly member Tom Fletcher on songs, all directed by Luke Sheppard, who did such a good job with the smash revival of Starlight Express.
Where is it? Savoy Theatre.
What is it? This short musical romp through the (after)lives of Henry VIII’s six wives is perfect for adults and secondary school kids alike.
Where is it? Vaudeville Theatre.
What is it? Quite possibly the most aggressively ‘80s artefact in existence, Andrew Lloyd Webber’s ‘Starlight Express’ is a musical about anthropomorphic roller skating trains that often feels like being forced to watch ten consecutive episodes of some trashy Saturday morning action cartoon…
Where is it? Troubadour Wembley Park.
What is it? Playwright Asif Khan and director Sameena Hussain bring Zanib Mian’s beloved book series to the stage for the first time. Planet Omar follows an eight-year-old boy – naturally called Omar – who uses his prodigious imagination to help him surmount various challenges as he moved to a daunting new neighbourhood. For ages seven-plus.
Where is it? Unicorn Theatre.
What it it? Don’t be fooled by that jaunty name, or that Toto Kerblammo! is a kids’ show about a dog: avant-garde theatre maker Tim Crouch’s latest is unsettling and existential and I would be pretty serious about enforcing the nine-plus suggested age rating. It’s also brave, moving, inventive and steadfastly emotionally truthful, an exploration of both unconditional love and the inability to accept love, told via the story of one girl and her faithful hound.
Where is it? Unicorn Theatre.
What is it? There are billions of celebrity kids’ books out there, but not many get adapted into a show at the Little Angel – we choose to believe this means that Dermot O’Leary’s Toto the Ninja cat series are a cut above. This stage debut follows the adventures of an almost blind cat with astonishing ninja skills. For ages five-plus.
Where is it? Little Angel Theatre Studios.
What is it? After delighting kids (and making grown-ups cry) with wistful kids' show The Paper Dolls, Peter Glanville is adapting another Julia Donaldson picture book. This time, it's the turn of The Everywhere Bear, which follows the titular teddy on his adventures using rhyme, puppets and new songs. Ages three-to-six.
Where is it? Little Angel Theatre.
What is it? This splendid 2D cardboard puppet adpatation of Jon Klassen’s droll trilogy of children’s books about animals battling it out over discarded headgear is a pure delight and it’s wonderful to have it back.
Where is it? Little Angel Theatre Studios.
What is it? Music-loving Princess Shiloh can’t sing – but she discovers anpther way she can express herself to music vocally in this new stage adaptation of Hannah Lee and Allen Fatimaharan’s kids’ books. For ages three to six.
Where is it? Polka Theatre.
What is it? A new kids’ theatre spin on the classic Aesops’ fable about the improbable – but highly allegorically satisfying – race between a speedy hare and a slow tortoise. Aimed at ages three to seven, it’s a collaboration between Polka Theatre, Derby Theatre and Hiccup Theatre and comes from the team behind its recent Chicken Licken.
Where is it? Polka Theatre.
What is it? This musical adaptation of Julia Donaldson and Axel Scheffler’s much-loved picturebook about an accident-prone dragon come from Freckle Productions, whose adaptation of the duo’s Stick Man is a festive West End fixture. Aimed at ages three-plus.
Where is it? Rose Theatre Kingston.
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