Kids Week returns to Theatreland from Friday 13 to Friday 27 August, giving under 16s the chance to see some of the capital’s top shows for free when accompanied by a paying adult, as well as attend workshops and backstage tours.
Here are some of our favourite productions and details of their special Kids Week events. Call us to book tickets or arrange reservations at family-friendly restaurants after the show, or for a full schedule of performances and workshops during the event.
Under 5s
Room on the Broom
Garrick Theatre, 2 Charing Cross Road, London WC2H 0HH
A witch meets a host of friendly animals while looking for her hat on a moonlit night, but the passengers prove too heavy for her poor broom to handle. Acclaimed theatre company Tall Stories has turned Gruffalo author Julia Donaldson’s tale into a spellbinding production full of magic and music.
Special event: meet the cast in a question and answer session after the show.
Over 5s
Les Misérables
Queen's Theatre, 51 Shaftesbury Avenue, London W1D 6BA
Les Mis is celebrating its 25th anniversary in the West End this year, making it the world's longest-running musical. This epic tale of redemption is set during the turbulent years following the French Revolution and features classic songs, including I Dreamed a Dream and On My Own.
Special event: rehearsal techniques workshop.
The Railway Children
Waterloo Station, London SE1 8SW
Bobbie, Peter and Phyllis move to a new home by the railway tracks after their father is arrested for espionage. But as they make friends and embark on a series of adventures, they ultimately find a way to prove his innocence. The abandoned Eurostar terminal at Waterloo station has been transformed into a theatre for this production of E. Nesbit’s children’s classic, featuring a 60-tonne steam locomotive.
Special event: theatre tour with close-up look at the steam train itself.
Sister Act
London Palladium, Argyll Street London W1F 7TF
Whoopi Goldberg, star of the Sister Act movie, dons the habit and joins the West End cast for a limited run this summer. When a disco diva witnesses a Mob-land murder the police hide her in a convent for her own protection. But her inspirational singing soon thrusts the choir into the spotlight – and blows her cover.
Special event: dress up and perform one of the show’s songs with help from the Sister Act dance and music team.
Over 12s
Into the Woods
Regent’s Park Open Air Theatre, London NW1 4NP
Regent’s Park is the backdrop for this darkly humorous Stephen Sondheim musical, which offers twisted retellings of Little Red Riding Hood, Jack and the Beanstalk and other stories by the Brothers Grimm.
Special event: backstage insight into producing theatre in the open air.
War Horse
National Theatre, South Bank, London SE1 9PX
It's the First World War. Young Albert's beloved horse, Joey, has been sold to the cavalry and sent to France, where, after heavy fighting, he's abandoned in no man's land. But Albert won't forget him: he joins the army and embarks on an epic voyage through Europe to save his steed.
Special event: behind-the-scenes puppet workshop.
Over 15s
Avenue Q
Wyndham’s Theatre, Charing Cross Road, London WC2H 0DA
Be warned: you'll never look at a Muppet the same way again after Avenue Q. Profane, lurid and featuring liberal doses of full-frontal puppet nudity, this slacker Sesame Street is a musical about what it’s like to follow your dreams and fail.
Special event: Avenue Q puppet masterclass.
