London theatres have reopened and we’re excited. Our one stop guide to family friendly shows and theatre for summer 2021 gives you the opportunity to enjoy family friendly classics, discover something new and support a creative story-telling industry.
The Town Mouse and the Country Mouse
These two famous cousins visit each other and both experience exciting new sights and sounds. The TownMouse must face the wild countryside, while the Country Mouse watches for the house cat and learns to navigate the noisy city traffic. They end up all the wiser as a result of their exciting adventures. A delight for young and old, told with music, songs and rod puppets. Captioned performance on the 19th of June and relaxed performance on the 26th of June.
When: until 8 August 2021
Where: Puppet Barge, Little Venice
How much: £13 for adults and £9 for children. Concessions available. More info and booking here.
Zippos Circus
Zippos Circus started their Carnival, a Big Top tour with shows around London and beyond. Expect a diverse cast of thrilling artists from around the globe, magical experiences, comedy and plenty of family fun. Check out our reviews here.
When: 1 – 6 July 2021
Where: Streatham Common
How much: £8.50. Book your tickets here.
Theatre on Kew: The Wind in the Willows
A rollicking yet gentle adventure with best friends Ratty, Mole, Badger, Otter and, of course, the arrogant, vain and hilarious Toad. This critically acclaimed, outdoor theatre production set against the magical backdrop of our stunning Lake, is packed with much-loved colourful characters, music, song and laughter.
When: 24 July – 30 August 2021
Where: Kew Gardens (Victoria Gate)
How much: Adult £22.90 and children £17.90 and it includes entry to the garden more info and booking here.
Anansi the Spider
Unicorn Theatre’s acclaimed production featuring a trickster spider is coming to the Open Air Theatre in Regent’s Park – check out our review from 2019. This show is a retelling of classic West African and Caribbean folk tales and you can expect singing, dancing and plenty of audience participation in this 50 minute production aimed at ages 3 – 7.
When: 7 – 24 July 2021
Where: Regents Park Open Air Theatre
How much: all tickets are £10 more info and booking here.
The 3 Little Pigs
The Unusual Theatre Company is back with their socially distanced live theatre experience, Stiles and Drewe’s – The 3 Little Pigs! A Very Curly Musical Tale! Join Bar, Bee and Q, as they set off into the big wide world, to build their three little houses out of hay, sticks and bricks. Will they escape Big Bad Wolf?
When: 10 July 2021
Where: Stanley Halls
How much: £8 more info and bookings here.
Comedy Club 4 Kids
the best comedians from the UK and international circuit head to the Greenwich Theatre stage to do what they do best… but without the rude bits! Cracking entertainment for everyone over six years old and under 400 years old (no vampires or Highlanders).
When: 10 July 2021 at 11am
Where: Greenwich Theatre
How much: £13.50 for adults and £8.50 for kids. More info and booking here.
The Tiger Who Came To Tea
Based on Judith Kerr’s beloved picture book, The Tiger Who Came to Tea, is filled with laughter, music and dance. Have a chaotic afternoon tea with a tiger at the Haymarket Theatre and expect plenty of surprises along the way. Read our review of this 55-minute production.
When: 12 July – 5 September 2021
Where: Haymarket Theatre
How much: from £17.40 more info and booking here.
What the Ladybird Heard
From Julia Donaldson, bestselling author of The Gruffalo, and award-winning illustrator Lydia Monks, comes the stage show of the much-loved picture book What the Ladybird Heard. With live original music from a quartet of talented actors, puppetry and a whole farmyard of fun, this 55-minute family favourite is the perfect summer treat! Recommended for ages 3 and above.
When: 15 July – 29 August 2021
Where: Palace Theatre
How much: Box Office Tickets are available priced from £12.50 here.
Wonderment
Wonderment brings together some of the greatest illusionists live on stage in breath-taking displays of magic and illusion that promise to electrify, surprise and delight the whole family. Taking to the stage will the multi-award-winning mind reader and TV star, Chris Cox, and the most talked about woman in magic, Josephine Lee.
When: 16 July – 30 August 2021
Where: Palace Theatre
How much: Tickets are priced from £19.50 – £59.50 plus booking fees here. More information on the show can be found at the website www.wondermentlive.com
Terrible Thames
Horrible Histories proudly presents a brand-new brilliant tour: Horrible Histories Live Onboard – Terrible Thames! Take a dive with Horrible Histories into the stories of King Henry VIII, Anne Boleyn, Julius Caesar, the Duke of Wellington, Queen Boudicca, Jack the Ripper and Captain Kidd, in this history of the Thames with the nasty bits left in
When: 17 July – 31 October 2021
Where: Tower Bridge Quay, E1Q 1LD
How much: Adults £27 and Children £17 with under 3s going free. More info and booking here.
The Lion King
Expect pure theatrical magic that brings this iconic Disney classic to life with a 50 plus cast of singers, dancers and performers. Expect wonderful songs alongside puppetry and breath taking costumes and masks.
When: 29 July 2021
Where: The Lyceum Theatre
How much: from £20 more info and bookings here.
Billionare Boy
Billionaire Boy tells the story of Joe Spud, the richest boy in the country. He has his own sports
car, £100k a week pocket money and two crocodiles as pets. But what Joe doesn’t have is a
friend. So he decides to leave his posh school and start at the local comprehensive. But things
don’t go as planned for Joe and life becomes a rollercoaster as he tries to find what money can’t
buy. Recommended for ages 5 and above.
When: 29 July – 28 August 2021
Where: Garrick Theatre
How much: Tickets from £19.50 more info and booking here.
Horrible Histories: Barmy Britain
Will you be conquered by William? Will you sink or swim with King Henry I? Will Thomas Becket get the chop? Go house hunting with King Henry VIII! Join the gorgeous Georgians as they take over England! Break into Buckingham Palace and hide from the Queen! Watch out for the witch of World War Two!
When: 29 July – 28 August 2021
Where: Apollo Theatre
How much: from £17.50 more info and booking here.
The Gruffalo
Join Mouse on a daring adventure through the deep, dark wood in Tall Stories’ magical, musical adaptation of the classic picture book by Julia Donaldson and Axel Scheffler. Filled with songs, laughs and monstrous fun for children aged 3 and up and their grown-ups.Will the story of the terrifying Gruffalo save Mouse from ending up as dinner for these hungry woodland creatures? After all, there’s no such thing as a Gruffalo – is there?
When: 30 July – 29 August 2021
Where: Alexandra Palace
How much: Tickets start at £14 more info and booking here.
ZOG
The smash-hit stage adaptation from Freckle Productions (the team behind Stick Man, Tiddler and Other Terrific Tales and Tabby McTat) is back and promises to be bigger, brighter and more roar-some than ever before! With lively songs from Joe Stilgoe (The Jungle Book, The Midnight Gang) and directed by Emma Kilbey, Julia Donaldson and Axel Scheffler’s much-loved Zog is a magical production for all ages.
When: 4 – 8 August 2021
Where: Rose Theatre, Kingston
How much: £15 more info and booking here.
Sarah and Duck
Told through a fantastic blend of inventive puppetry, charming storytelling and toe-tapping music, Sarah & Duck’s Big Top Birthday will take families on a magical theatrical adventure featuring all the familiar voices from the CBeebies series.
When: 6 August 2021 at 1;30 and 4pm
Where: Blackheath Halls
How much: All tickets £15 more info and booking here.
The Wolves of Willoughby Chase
This exciting, fun filled adaptation of Joan Aiken’s classic children’s novel sees cousins Bonnie and Sylvia and their friend Simon the Gooseboy encountering a host of unforgettable characters as they discover that the wolves roaming the forests and fields outside may not be as dangerous as the wolfish adults plotting inside…recommended for ages 5 and above.
When: 5 August – 5 September 2021
Where: Greenwich Theatre
How much: £20 more info and booking here.
Pinocchio
When a children’s game of hide-and-seek leads to the discovery of a talking log in the forest, Mr Cherry is quick to see the potential in the strange situation. However, when he delivers the log to Gepetto the carpenter to carve, under the watchful eye of his talking cricket, none of them can imagine the adventures that lie ahead. Recommended for children aged 6 and above.
When: 8 August – 5 September 2021
Where: Greenwich Theatre
How much: £20 more info and booking here.
Dragon and Mythical Beasts
Unveil a myriad of dark secrets and come face to face with some of the most magnificent monsters and terrifying beasts ever to walk the earth. Discover the colossal Stone Troll, the mysterious Indrik and Japanese Baku; the Tooth Fairy (not as sweet as you’d think), an adorable Unicorn and majestic Griffin. Take your place among legendary heroes, just don’t wake the Dragon…
When: 13 August – 15 September 2021
Where: Regent’s Park Open Air Theatre
How much: from £17 more info and booking here.
Zog
The smash-hit stage adaptation from Freckle Productions (the team behind Stick Man, Tiddler and Other Terrific Tales and Tabby McTat) is back and promises to be bigger, brighter and more roar-some than ever before! With lively songs from Joe Stilgoe (The Jungle Book, The Midnight Gang) and directed by Emma Kilbey, Julia Donaldson and Axel Scheffler’s much-loved Zog is a magical production for all ages.
When: 18 – 29 August 2021
Where: Cadogan Hall
How much: tickets starting at £19.50 more info and booking here.
The Jungle Book
Immersion Theatre are bringing their trademark energy to their wildest show yet, a brand-new musical adaptation of The Jungle Book to Knebworth House. Filled with original music, audience interaction, and the chance to meet the characters after the show, you are invited to join Mowgli and his friends, Baloo the bear and Bagheera the panther, on a madcap jungle adventure as they meet and attempt to outwit a slithering snake, some cheeky monkeys, and the fierce tiger, Shere Khan!
When: 25 – 26 August 2021 6pm
Where: Knebworth House
How much: Adults £14 Children £12 more info and booking here.
Frozen
For the first time in forever, the Theatre Royal Drury Lane re-opens its doors, bringing Elsa’s and Anna’s story to the stage in this heart-melting theatrical production.
When: from 26th August
Where: Theatre Royal Drury Lane
How much: from £20 more info and booking here.
Paw Patrol Live
Based on the hit animated TV series on Nickelodeon produced by Spin Master, PAW Patrol Live! ‘Race To the Rescue’ is an action-packed, high-energy, musical adventure starring Ryder alongside Chase, Marshall, Rocky, Rubble, Zuma, Skye and Everest as they once again save the day.
When: 31 August 2021
Where: SSE Wembley Arena
How much: from £30 more info and booking here.