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? 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? This globe trotting Australian producton of the Lewis Carroll classic by Penny Farrow debuted Down Under in 2016 and took a while to reach London, having only arrived here last summer. Clearly it must have been a success, though, as it”s now embarking upon its third London season in 12 months. Directed by Nate Bertone and making heavy use of puppets, it is, by all accounts, a vivid but traditional take on Lewis Caroll’s immortal slice of Victorian whimsy. Running at just an hour, it’s aimed at ages five-plus.
Where is it? Soho Theatre Walthamstow (Riverside Studio dates TBC are supposed to be preceding it though have yet to go on sale).
What is it? The only London kids’ theatre that programmes work all the way throughout the summer holidays (weird, right?), the Little Angel celebrates the fourth year of its excellent Children’s Puppet Festival, which features an August-long mix of interesting short run shows and fun hands on workshops.
Where is it? Little Angel Theatre.
What is it? Wanting to be taken seriously, Grace encounters the wizard Merlin and embarks upon a journey back to the 6th century where she teams up with Arthur on a quest into the ancient forest to retrieve the sword Excalibur. This new kids’ play from Bucket Club (written by Marietta Kirkbride) probably doesn’t cleave that closely to Le Morte d'Arthur, but it looks like a fun sword and sorcery romp for ages six-to-12. Nell Crouch directs.
Where is it? Polka Theatre.
What is it? This anarchic long-running live science show is back once again to cause mischief across another London summer.
Where is it? Garrick Theatre.
What is it? Birmingham Stage Company’s theatrical versions of Terry Deary’s lurid history books have now been kicking around for 20 years now, and as a celebration they’ve cobbled together a new Barmy Britain show that’s a compliation of the best bits of all the many, many other Barmy Britain shows. Expect a barrage of lurid facts on everyone from Boudica to Burke and Hare. For ages five plus.
Where is it? Apollo 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? This new family drama comes from the team behind previous Globe summer shows Rough Magic and Midsummer Mechanicals, Again written by Kerry Frampton and Ben Hales, it’s the first in the series to not be a riff on a specific Shakespeare play. Rather, it follows Cass, a young boy whose childhood has been filled with adventures inspired by his grandmother’s love of Shakespeare. But he’s losing interest – can he find it again. Directed by Lucy Cuthertson, it’s aimed at ages five plus.
Where is it? Shakespeare’s Globe.
What is it? Just Audibert’s delightful long-runner based upon Anansi the trickster spider of West African myth is back for a summer stint in Regent’s Park.
Where is it? Regent’s Park Open Air Theatre.
What is it? Blippi, to the unitiated, is an American educational YouTube character whose U-rated antics have offered a gateway drug to the online world for generations of tots. What you’re pragmatically getting with this live show is a gentle curiousity-based adventure from Blippi and his pal Meekah, replete with various beloved songs from the show including ‘The Excavator Song’, ‘Monster Truck’, ‘Dino Dance’ and ‘Curious Like Me’. Many but not all performances feature Clayton Grimm, the current 'real’ Blippi.
Where is it? The Arts at Marble Arch.
What is it? Katie Mitchell's 2009 National Theatre adaptation of Dr Seuss's rhyming kids' classic The Cat in the Hat is full of wit, silliness, and arty flourishes, with ingenious designs by David Shields that bring the original's scratchy drawings to life. It's been doing the rounds in director Lillie Collier's touring production since 2015, and now it'll swing via Kingston and Walthamstow for the summer as part of a lengthy UK tour. Ages three-plus.
Where is it? Rose Theatre Kingston and Soho Theatre Walthamstow.
What is it? This Olivier-winning family hit offers big, bold dinosaur puppets and a fun storyline that’ll delight young lovers of the Cretaceous period.
Where is it? Troubadour Wembley Park.
What is it? This cute, clever, puppet-driven Roald Dalhl musical adaptation for ages three to eight is perhaps a little too cuddly considering the source material but is a delight nonetheless.
Where is it? Lyric Hammersmith.
What is it? Tall Stories’ stage adaptation of all-time kids classic picturebook The Gruffalo is only a couple of years younger than the book itself. If your tot is into Julia Donaldson and Axel Sheffler’s yard about a crafty mouse outwitting a succeesion of predators, don’t miss out.
Where is it? Shaftesbury Theatre.
What is it? If you’re suffering from extreme panto withdrawal in the middle of the summer then this might be the answer to your prayers. The Australian Shakespeare Company’s take on Jack and the Beanstalk isn’t formally billed as a panto and is liable to be considerably shorter than one, but nonetheless it sounds like a spirited and fun account of the story that finds room for Daisy the Cow et al so is presumably appropriately light-hearted. For all ages. Entry includes entry to Kew.
Where is it? Kew Gardens.
What is it? A shy little mouse wishes he could become as brave as a lion – but ends up learning that even lions aren’t always brave. Puppet-powered stage adaptation of Rachel Bright and Jim Field kids’ book from Sarah Punshon, who also directs. For ages three-plus.
Where is it? Unicorn Theatre.
What is it? Bored at home with nothing to do, Nora is forced to turn to her imagination to pep up her day – and what a gift that proves to be as she discovers dragonflies as big as her head, plants that can eat you whole, a polar bear that likes fishing, yes, a tiger… Aimed at kids aged three to seven, it’s adapted from Lizzie Stewart’s award-winning picturebook in collaboration with the author herself.
Where is it? Polka Theatre.
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