The Theatre
London is bursting with theatrical entertainment options. It is never too early to introduce children to the magic of theatre. Taking your little one the the theatre for the first time is a special experience both them and you. There are an abundance of shows in the city suitable for the consumption of children, young and old! A lot of theatre shows aimed at children are based on popular children books whilst other provide an immersive experience to captivate the viewer. We have put together a few tips to make your trip the theatre run as smooth as possible!
Theatre Survival Guide
Before booking tickets, check the suitability of the show for your child. How long is the run time? Will the story be scary for them? Are they old enough to comprehend the story? Note that some Westend performances such as Frozen have a minimum age requirement of 4-years-old. Always check the shows age policy before booking tickets to avoid being turned away at the door.
Check the show times. A lot of shows aimed at children are in the morning to accommodate nap times and school pick up for older children. However, a lot of Westend performances will follow the usual matinee and evening performance times.
BOOK TICKETS! London shows are extremely popular no matter what you are watching. Always plan ahead and book tickets to avoid disappointment.
Check the buildings accessibility. A lot of London’s shows are held in historic buildings meaning their construction predates modern accessibility requirements. Before going check how the theatre caters to this, especially if you have a buggy with you.
Carefully consider which seats you book. If you are taking young children it can be best to sit on the seats closest to the isle for a quick escape for bathroom breaks or the inevitable meltdowns. It is however very important to consider the view you will have of the stage from your seat. The last thing you want is an obstructed view or risking the chance of your child not being able to see if someone is sat in front of you. With children, seats in the circle are usually a preferred choice as the seating is tiered so their view is usually not obstructed if someone is sat in front.
A lot of theatres providing performances aimed at children will have booster cushions available for use during the show. These are however given out on a first come first serve basis so it’s important to plan ahead and get there early to secure a cushion. If this is something you require it is recommended you check with the theatre before arriving. If the theatre does not harbour these facilities, you can always bring your own cushion!
During the school holidays there is always a bigger variety of shows available to see. A favourite theatre of ours is the Unicorn theatre, the Uk’s leading theatre for young audiences. During the holidays they usually have a few different shows on aimed at different ages. If you have older children that are interested in history, check out the Horrible histories: Terrible thames river tour performance. Keep an eye on the ‘What’s on’ page of the Southbank Centre as they often have performances of the popular children’s books written by the famous Julia Donaldson. We know that the theatre can get expensive. An excellent way to save money is by booking tickets through Todaytix. This website is an easy way to browse the Westend shows and book tickets, often at a discounted price, especially if booked last minute!
If your child has a special interest in performing arts, The drama organisation PERFORM is an excellent programme to enrol your child into. PERFORM provide weekly drama classes for children aged 4-12 across the country. The classes incorporate drama, singing and dancing to build your child’s confidence, enhance their concentration and boost their co-ordination.
During the summer break, PERFORM has introduced London’s first festival of children’s theatre, PERFORM in the park, putting on performances of childhood classics and modern tales. Visit the PERFORM website for more details surrounding their upcoming performances.
