Review: Oliver!
You’re not going to see anything this special in most (if any) revivals, however luxury-cast. In stripping-back, then regrowing a complete ensemble with even lesser songs, this is the most complete Oliver! we’re likely to see.
Genre: Children's Theatre
Review: Tiny Tim’s Christmas Carol
Tiny Tim’s Christmas Carol triumphs as easily the best junior take on this classic I’ve ever seen.
Review: Tom’s Midnight Garden
An absolutely first-rate ensemble and they tell the story with all the wide-eyed wonder of a real enchantment, beyond Christmas, beyond, perhaps time. A gem.
Review: Refilwe
At just 45 minutes, a delightfully adapted fairy-tale, adapted in its turn. Bisola Aalbi’s rewrite is a lively, timely take on a silent culture war to make people of all ages think again.
Review: Taiwan Season: The Way Back
Interesting well-performed physical theatre with object puppetry
Review: Pinocchio! The Panto
A pantomimic romp through Carlo Gollodi’s masterpiece that is very, very punny.
Review: Plague, Poo n Punishment
A brilliantly gruesome encounter that runs through the worst but the best of Edinburgh’s history.
Review: Family Portrait
A fascinating and beautifully imagined film showing us the value of family, no matter what form.
Review: Taiwan Season: World in a Word
An enchanting introduction to Chinese culture for the younger audience.
Review: Bumble’s Big Adventure
A worthy attempt at addressing the environmental impact around us and trying to teach the youngest about the natural world.
Review: Chevalier – Hobbyhorse Circus
A very sweet and well-executed homage to the circus horse, ideal for families with small children or those still young at heart.
Review: La Petite Gerda
Imaginative retelling of Snow Queen story with beautifully sung songs, excellent acting and creative storytelling.
Review: Wee Seals and Selkies
A beautiful wee family show that manages to combine gentility with the warmth of good stories really well told.
Review: The Lost Lending Library
Theatrical storytelling, fascinating, engaging and creatively designed!
Review: Too Close to the Sun
A perfectly pitched environmental tale for those of an age when it truly matters.
Review: James and the Giant Peach
With memorable music and ensemble singing added to a first-rate BLT production, there’s no better Christmas show in town.
Review: Fruit Flies Like a Banana
No banana could fly as fast as these three virtuoso performers in this must see show as they combine virtuoso musicianship with acrobatics and dance
Review: Will Tell and the Big Bad Baron
A great family show: energetic, pacey with plenty of opportunity to join in and let off steam.
Review: Around the World with Nellie Bly
An intrepid 19th century traveller in the hands of a first class 20th century story teller. A perfect reminder than adventures aren’t just for boys!
Review: A Very Old Man With Enormous Wings
Imaginative production of a magical realism story with intrigue, drama and subtle humour that people of all ages can enjoy together.
Review: Mary, Chris, Mars
Imaginative - and will appeal to families with an interest in space, astronauts and object/shadow puppetry.
Review: Now That’s What I Call A Lot Of Songs About Science
John Hinton performs hilarious songs of science from a very extensive repertoire
Review: The Fable of the Squirrel
A universal story without words for children about a squirrel who looks after a baby hedgehog.
Review: The Adventures of Sleepyhead
A charming theatrical performance of someone who thinks that by becoming a grown up, they lose their dreams.
Review: Granny Smith’s
A lovely entrée to the bilingualism of French and English delivered in mask by a woman who knows and who entertains.
Review: The Big Birthday Show with Magic Gareth
A superior children’s show delivered with verve and vitality and with a lot of skill and with a dollop of kids.
Review: The Twits
A summer must-see to charge you up for the autumn, and taking on the real twits ahead.
Review: Planet of the Grapes – Live from NYC
60 minutes of unique, inventive adventure with adorable toy-like characters that will thoroughly engage you and make you smile
Review: The Official Dick Whittington – A Pantomime for 2020
It’s a joyous confection out of thin lockdown.
Review: The Donkey and the Rooster
An online story for young people that has all the elements of a classic experience that delights, informs and entertains in equal measure.
Review: Magic Gareth
A wonderful children’s half hour of magic and a big personality that is a delightfully child friendly experience
Review: Beauty and the Beast
Nothing so convincing has been done with this legend. It deserves many revivals.
Review: Treasure Island
First-rate theatre. In Joshua James’ Ben Gunn and above all Pasy Ferran’s Jim, we see stars rising quicker than Arthur Darvill’s superb Silver can point them out.
Review: Chitty Chitty Bang Bang
It couldn’t be done any better and puts several touring shows to shame.
Review: Doodle Pop
Magical visual storytelling with music, humor, mime, movement and innovative creativity
Review: Celeste’s Circus
A quant and lovely trip to the circus for little ones that take big ones along for the ride
Review: I’ll take you to Mrs Cole
A wonderful family show, adapted from the book of the same name, and I guarantee you will be singing the theme song under your breath for days.
Review: The New and Improved I Hate Children, Children’s Show
An exceptionally polished children’s show that turns rainy days and having to drag your kids around with you into an art form of joy.
Review: The Terrible Tail of Adelaide Worthing
A wonderfully charming children’s story the explores the idea of being different.
Review: Moonbird
A sweet gentle show about encouraging difference for Deaf and hearing children, and older family members too
Review: The Isle of Brimsker
Enchanting experience for those with multiple challenges which uses the full range of sensory experiences to great effect.
Review: Oskar’s Amazing Adventures
Where is Oskar? A fun- filled children’s play at the Brighton Komedia.
Review: Wolfgang’s Magical Musical Circus
The performing brio is phenomenal, of a standard you’d be happy to see anywhere in the world. So would any child.
Review: Grimm’s Tales
An exuberant Christmas production, and a miracle of compression, blocking, set-design and ensemble acting skills.
Review: Madagascar The Musical
Highly Recommended for monkeys and lemurs of all ages – quite apart from lions, zebras, hippos and giraffes.
Review: Penguinpig
Charming, attractive, well thought out puppetry show set to lovely music, that will appeal to young children and accompanying grown ups!
Review: A Cockroach and Furry Blurry Fluffy Things
Delightful show, positive, creative and imaginative!
Review: Chores
The theatre turns into a messy children's room, toilet papers and toys scattered everywhere!
Review: The Adventures of Robin Hood
A Plethora of Swashbuckling Heroes and Lovable Rogues in this endearing rendition of Robin Hood
Review: Arr We There Yet?
A Madcap Mashup of Circus and Storytelling with a Little Tango for Extra Spice
Review: Oskar’s Amazing Adventure
Oskar's a lovable puppy, living out life in Switzerland with a myriad of other creatures and, of course, a grandmother.
Review: Bear North
Do come if you want charm, unpredictable choruses and weather. And where else can you see a dancing bear not even brushed backwards in the making of this show?
Review: The Boy, the Piano and the Beach
A good experiment that the Slot Machine Theatre hasn't quite managed to pull off… yet.
Review: Random Selfies
This is sweet, fleet story-telling with just the right amount of pitch and yaw for anyone to take, without it becoming too dark or didactic. Ten-year-old Lola’s engaging, and in Natalia Hinds’ hands utterly believable, energetically inhabited with a sense of fun clearly relished by this revelatory actor.
Review: The Voyage of the Dawn Treader
Any first-time play-goer should have this etched as a memory forever. It can’t be anything other than outstanding. Enjoy as an early Christmas gift to yourselves.
Review: Rocket Post
Children’s theatre, brought to the young with inventiveness, colour and panache.
Review: AnimAlphabet the Musical
Musical for 3-11-year-olds with excellent songs, strong performers and some eyebrow-raising choices
