Children's Shows Dance & Physical Theatre ThisWeek In London

Threes To See over the Christmas and New Year holiday: Entertain the kids, great adaptations, shows of the more contemporary kind

By | Published on Friday 16 December 2016

And the holiday season’s ThisWeek-tipped, LDN-based events are…
Three Shows To Help You Entertain The Kids…

Extra Yarn | The Orange Tree | 16 Dec-7 Jan
I’m always attracted to anything that mentions yarn in its blurb, and look, this has it in the title. Don’t worry, though, you won’t have to knit, or anything, this is a promising adaptation of the children’s book by Mac Barnett, in which a young girl changes the world around her by creating items from every colour of yarn, beginning of course with a nice woolly jumper. Maybe a chance to give your Christmas sweaters an airing…? See this page here for more.

Adventure To Oz | Chickenshed | 23 Nov-7 Jan
This is a brand new musical, featuring characters you know (and maybe love) from ‘The Wizard Of Oz’, but also some others that you may not have heard of – Patchwork Girl and Ojo the Unlucky Munchkin, for example. At two hours (including interval) , it’s probably a bit long and involved for the younger element, and the recommended age is 5+, but should be a captivating and exciting show for families with older children. Take a look at the venue website here for details.

In A Pickle | ArtsDepot | 14 Dec-31 Dec
So, those of you feeling left out because you have under-fives need worry no longer, because here is a lovely show aimed at a younger theatre-goer, specifically 3-5 year olds, though of course their families and friends are welcomed in alongside them. Originally commissioned by the RSC, this is inspired by Shakespeare’s ‘The Winter’s Tale’ and offers a “voyage of discovery through the landscapes of Shakespeare’s imagination and the music of his language”. It looks like tickets are going rather quickly, though, so get booking.

Three Great Adaptations…

Three Sisters | Union Theatre | 4 Jan-4 Feb
This is a UK premiere for this new version of the Russian classic by acclaimed contemporary playwright Tracy Letts, which, according to the write up, “hones and focuses Chekhov’s depiction of three young Russian women, in a back-water town, whose dreams are eroded by a series of encounters with guests, lovers, family and the proletariat.” I reckon we can expect something pretty good from a Pulizter-puller. See the venue website here for details.

The Hound Of The Baskervilles | Jack Studio | 13 Dec-7 Jan
If murder mystery and Sherlock Holmes falls into the category of “stuff you are into” , then here is the Christmas treat for you. This adaptation by Steven Canny and John Nicholson promises to be a “fast, funny and furious retelling” of the famous tale – expect suspicious butlers, escaped convicts, and damsels in distress. Head this way to book your tickets.

Men From The Ministry | White Bear Theatre | 3-17 Jan
This kind of isn’t really an adaptation, except that it kind of is, in that it’s a staged version of classic BBC radio comedy ‘Men From The Ministry’, fourteen series of which aired between 1962 and 1977. Often regarded as a forerunner of ‘Yes, Minister’, it offers a funny and satirical look at the British civil service. See this page here for details.

Three shows of the more contemporary kind…

Borderline | The Cockpit | 3-9 Jan (pictured)
This is a show which is returning to The Cockpit following a sell-out run earlier in the year, and, believe it or not, this is a comedy (yes, comedy) about life in the notorious Calais Jungle. Still deeply relevant, of course, and The shows will be followed by Q&As with special guests who have engaged in arts projects with refugees. Head this way for info.

Glockenspiel | Tristan Bates Theatre | 4-14 Jan
A small US town is rocked by the death of three soldiers serving overseas in this new play by Stephen Dykes which “explores the lives of those left behind on the home front, celebrating the humour and spirit of ordinary people trapped in an extraordinary situation”. He’s achieved a lot of acclaim for previous works so I’m expecting good things from this, click this link here for more.

The Mad Hatter’s Tea Party | Roundhouse | 30 Dec-22 Jan
Now, plays are all very nice, but perhaps some of you would like a little extra movement – perhaps even dance? – with your end of year entertainment? This very colourful production is the work of acclaimed  hip hop dance theatre company, ZooNation, and it features all those whacky characters from ‘Alice’, so you know it’s going to be fantastic, plus, it’s suitable for a family audience, if you’ve exhausted all my other suggestions for the kids. See the venue website here for details.



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