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? The National Theatre’s big family Christmas show is a return for last year’s sumptuous adaptation of Noel Streatfeild’s classic 1936 children’s novel Ballet Shoes. Following a trio of orphaned sisters left to fend for themselves when their eccentric ‘uncle’ disappears, it’s slick, classy and meticulously directed by Katy Rudd.
Where is it? National Theatre, Olivier.
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? As is now traditional at Shakespeare’s Globe, its outdoor programming gets underway with a truncated pre-season ‘Playing Shakespeare’ play aimed at schoolkids, but very much open to members of the public who are up for open-air theatre in March. This year it’s Romeo and Juliet that gets the 90-minute treatment, directed by the Globe’s director of education Lucy Cuthbertson, in a return of the 2024 production that relocates the tale of the feuding Montagues and Capulets to contemporary gang culture.
Where is it? Shakespeare’s Globe.
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? The Unicorn’s half-term show comes from French circus company Le Cirque Content Pour Peu and follows the confused misadventures of a pair of very confused acrobats, whose well-oiled routine quickly collapses into disaster. For ages four to ten.
Where is it? Unicorn Theatre.
What is it? In this fun riff on the Cinderella story for kids aged five to ten, it’s some time after the events of the beloved fairytale and Cinders has established herself as a massive girlboss head of ice cream empire. But how did this come to be? Her employees Talvi and Caldwell share her story in this new musical from Little Seeds Music.
Where is it? Polka Theatre.
What is it? Musical adaptation of Maz Evans’ kids’ novel about Elliot Hooper, a young man with a sick mum, whose already difficult existance is complicated when the pantheon of Greek gods gate crash his life. Evans adapts and writes lyrics for the show herself, while music comes from Luke Bateman and it’s directed by Ria Parry. Aimed at ages eight to 13.
Where is it? Polka Theatre.
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? Running at the Polka over half-term, this cute show for ages three to seven follows Ruby, a young girl who discovers a worry and then can’t get rid of it, no matter how hard she tried. But a new friend – who also has a worry – might very well be the solution… Hannah Stone directs this adaptation of Tom Percival’s book.
Where is it? Polka Theatre.
What is it? A fussy squirrel tries to remember where it buried its prize nut collection in this cute puppet-driven show for young kids aged six months to four years. Written by Kate Cross and Tim Bell, who directs.
Where is it? Unicorn Theatre.
What is it? A show for the proper little ones here, toooB is a gentle sensory adventure for ages six months to two years that sees a performer in a giant tube wiggle and change shape as she explores the world around her. There’s 25 minutes of actual performance followed by 20 minutes of stay and play after.
Where is it? Polka Theatre.
What is it? The Little Angel Theatre’s long-running puppet-powered adaptation of Michael Rosen’s beloved picture book is back again, this time heading off to South London.
Where is it? Polka Theatre.
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