It’s showtime, kids!
It’s a long old summer holiday with plenty of time to fill while they are off school, so why not get the kids sitting still for an hour or two by taking them to the theatre. From The Gruffalo’s Child to Annie Jr to Aliens Love Underpants, we’ve put togeth
1 The Hunting of the Snark
Enter into the imaginative world of Lewis Carroll (author of Alice in Wonderland) in this adaptation of his beloved classic poem, The Hunting of the Snark.
It’s a musical comedy adventure featuring puppetry, lashings of silliness and an original soundtrack that will delight, excite and entertain in this new summer family production by the Sherman.
There is a riotous ragtag band of bold adventurers including the Banker, the Boy, the Butcher, the Baker, Mr Bellman, the Bandersnatch, the Boojum and the knitting Beaver, as they set off on an epic quest to catch the elusive Snark. Where: Sherman Theatre, Cardiff When: Tuesday, July 19 to Saturday, July 30. Tickets: 029 2064 6900.
2 Bert’s Magical Musical Kitchen
Bert is having a party for his friend Daphne’s birthday. There’s lots to do; he has to make some food, invite the guests and plan party games. Luckily Cherry is there to help and his musician friends will bring their music. What could go wrong?
Bert’s Magical Musical Kitchen is an accessible, interactive concert for the under 5s. It’s an opportunity for children and the adults with them to enjoy live music. Where: St David’s Hall, Cardiff. When: Monday July 18 until Saturday, July 23 (Tuesday is sold out). Tickets: 029 2087 8444.
3 The Gruffalo’s Child
Following hot on the heels of The Gruffalo’s monstrous success comes The Gruffalo’s Child – with attitude! Just how brave is she? One wild and windy night the Gruffalo’s child ignores her father’s warning and tiptoes out into the snow. After all, the Big Bad Mouse doesn’t really exist... does he?
Tall Stories Theatre Company returns, bringing Julia Donaldson and Axel Scheffler’s award-winning sequel to life in this magical, musical stage adaptation. Where: New Theatre, Cardiff. When: Friday, July 22 until Sunday, July 24. Tickets: 029 2087 8889.
4 Danny the Champion of the World
Illyria, now one of the country’s foremost theatrical interpreters of Roald Dahl’s work, perform the story of Danny and his devoted father who live in a caravan and operate the village’s local petrol station and garage.
When Danny turns nine, he is devastated to find out about his father’s secret passion for pheasant-poaching in the estate of the nasty, greedy Victor Hazell, the local wealthy landowner. Watch this outdoor performance and see if Danny can help his father outwit the nasty and greedy landowner Victor Hazell. When: Saturday, July 23 at Chepstow Castle (01291 625981) Thursday, August 4 (2pm-4pm) at Oystermouth Castle, Swansea (go to www.enjoyswanseabay.com ) and Monday, August 29 on the top lawn of St Donat’s (01446 799100) More info: It will go ahead outdoors even in the event of rain, so wear appropriate clothing (umbrellas are not permitted to be used during performance) and you are also required to provide your own blankets and cushions to sit on (and if you bring chairs you may be required to sit at the back to avoid blocking the view of the audience)
5 Lazytown Live on Stage
Enjoy a non-stop, highly-interactive and energetic treat, jam-packed with singing, dancing, spectacular acrobatics, music and fun. Currently on Channel 5, Milkshake, Cartoon Network and Boomerang, LazyTown is a hit all over again with a brand-new generation of boys and girls.
And, in this brand-new stage show adventure, Robbie is at his rottenest worst while Sportacus has to be at his athletic, super-active best – running, jumping and flipping to save the day as he joins Stephanie in coaxing Ziggy to enjoy a more active lifestyle. Where: Swansea Grand Theatre.
When: Monday, July 25 (1.30pm/ 4pm). Tickets: 01792 475715.
6 James and The Giant Peach
Sell a Door Theatre present Roald Dahl’s classic tale which follows the adventurous, young James and his friends – Miss Spider, Old-GreenGrasshopper, Centipede, Ladybird and Earthworm.
Beginning at the end of the story, like all great tales do, James and his friends are living in the giant peach stone in Central Park, New York, but the real story lies in how they got there, all the way from the White Cliffs of Dover. Where: Aberystwyth Arts Centre. When: Tuesday, July 26 to Sunday, July 31. Tickets: 01970 623232.
The Half Pints present BAD GUYS
Join Comedy Club 4 Kids & CBeebies “Spot Bots” stars the Three Half Pints as they trip and stumble their way through a brand new comic misadventure, packed with songs, slapstick, silliness and accidental derring do!
Perfect for families with children aged 5-11 years, it follows Derek, Ernie and Dick who are really bored at being good and think it must be far more fun being a baddie. Where: Torch Theatre, Mildford Haven. When: Saturday, July 31. Tickets: 01646 695267.
Chitty Chitty Bang Bang
The most fantasmagorical musical ever lands in Wales this summer. Starring Casualty’s Lee Mead as Caractacus Potts, Hairspray and Tell Me On A Sunday star Claire Sweeney as Baroness Bomburst, EastEnder’s Shaun Williamson as Lord Scrumptious/Baron Bomburst and Carrie Hope Fletcher from Les Miserables as Truly Scrumptious.
It will have the audience flying high with its mixture of madness, intrigue and exuberance as wacky inventor Potts, along with his two kids and Truly Scrumptious try to outwit Baron Bomburst.
Having broken all box office records in the West End, this funfilled production promises favourite songs including Chitty Chitty Bang Bang and Hushabye Mountain. Where: Wales Millennium Centre, Cardiff. When: Wednesday, August 3 until Sunday, August 21. Tickets: 029 2063 6464.
9 Forge Drama’s Annie Jr
With a glass half full attitude, little orphan Annie charms everyone’s hearts despite a next-to-nothing start in 1930s New York City. She is determined to find her parents, who abandoned her years ago on the doorstep of a New York City Orphanage run by the cruel, paddle-wielding Miss Hannigan.
Annie escapes the orphanage to the wondrous New York City where her fun-filled adventure really begins.
Directed by experienced professional Osian Rhys, and performed by Carmarthenshire’s brightest young actors, Annie Jr is certain to charm its audiences. Where: St Peter’s Civic Hall, Carmarthen. When: Thursday, August 4 and Friday, August 5. Tickets: 07983 978986.
10 How Time Flies
HandMade Theatre presents a brand-new show inspired by the wonderful and intriguing world of archeology.
You can join the eccentric team of archeologists in their interactive field tent, as they lead the audience through an exciting dig to find longlost artefacts.
It’s a show packed full of puppets, music, stories, facts and fun, suitable for the whole family to enjoy. Where: Aberystwyth Arts Centre. When: Wednesday, August 17. Tickets: 01970 623232.
11 The Sound of Music
One of the greatest musicals of all time returns to the stage in a new production to enchant the young and the young at heart.
This lavish new staging tells the true story of the world-famous singing family the von Trapps, from their romantic beginnings and search for happiness, to their thrilling escape to freedom at the start of WWll. Where: Swansea Grand Theatre. When: Tuesday, August 23 until Saturday, August 27. Tickets: 01792 475715 (and don’t forget to ask about the half-price child offer.)
12 Aliens Love Underpants
This zany and hilarious tale based on the best-selling children’s book is brought to life on stage for the very first time.
With stunning effects, madcap action, original music (and lots of aliens of course!) this fresh and funny production will delight the whole family. In fact, you’ll laugh your pants off! Where: Swansea Grand Theatre. When: Wednesday, August 31 12.30pm and 3pm). Tickets: 01792 475715.