This winter, why not share some warm and fuzzy feelings with the whole family? For a deliciously defrosting treat, take your young’uns on a magical dance adventure with Matthew Bourne’s Nutcracker, playing in London and on tour. They’ll meet the yobby Gobstopper Boys, the Cheeky Marshmallow Girls and the Flamenco Licorice Allsorts, dancing their way through the Kingdom of Sweetieland, to Bourne’s remarkable choreography and Tchaikovsky’s magnificent score.
The English National Ballet’s winter touring season presents My First Ballet: Cinderella, everyone’s favourite rags- to-riches story in a beautifully adapted ballet for children aged three and up. ENB also runs children’s workshops, open rehearsals, ‘ballet buddy’ days and courses for all ages and levels.
Fans of Daddy Pig, Mummy Pig, George and Peppa won’t want to miss Peppa Pig’s Best Day Ever, Peppa Pig’s latest live show. Described as “toddlertastic colourful fun,” it’s a road trip full of porkish adventures and will be oinking its way around the UK with stops in Brighton, Cardiff, Southampton, York, Edinburgh and elsewhere.
London’s Southbank Centre will host a ton of piping hot fun for children and families at its annual Imagine Children’s Festival. This year’s event takes place over the February half-term and looks sensational. There will be 12 jam-packed days of children’s theatre, music, workshops, comedy and other activities, with themes of caring for the planet and how no one is too small to make a difference.
There’s a chance to meet charismatic children’s writer Michael Rosen, reading classic poems and introducing his new autobiographical book, The Missing; to see gorgeously yummy cabaret star Le Gateau Chocolate in his first children’s show, Duckie; or to sing along with CBeebies’ star YolanDa and her Band Jam, perfectly suited for an audience of noisy children. Kids of all ages are sure to love Erth’s Dinosaur Zoo, an interactive puppet extravaganza from Australia teeming with herbivores, carnivores and cute baby dinos. There will be live versions of the Very Hungry Caterpillar, as the beloved children’s classic celebrates its 50th anniversary, and Hans Christian Andersen’s The Ugly Duckling, reimagined for today with a message of tolerance and self-acceptance.
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Article by Judith Schrut - Email Judith: judith0777@gmail.com
Image: Peppa Pig Live: Peppa Pig Best Day Ever! Photo Credit: Dan Tsantillis