Theatre South East

This post is not necessarily for my theatre blogger pals or for regular theatre go-ers but for those who think theatre is expensive and nigh on impossible to take children to.

However I want to highlight two ways in which children can experience high class theatre for free this summer.

Next Weekend, Saturday 21^st & Sunday 22^nd June you could take the children down to West End Live, an annual event organised by Westminster City Council and the Society of West End Theatre. In it’s 10^th year the free programme of events which all take place on a huge stage in Trafalgar Square encompasses something for everyone including some great children’s shows like Matilda, Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, Mamma Mia etc. I must say that this year’s programme is exceptional. Let us hope that the sun keeps shining.

Saturday 21 June			Sunday 22 June
11.00	THE COMMITMENTS		12.00	STOMP
11.15	ONCE THE MUSICAL		12.15	DISNEY’S THE LION KING
11.30	WICKED		12.25	THE COMMITMENTS
11.50	BILLY ELLIOT THE MUSICAL		12.45	MATILDA THE MUSICAL
12.05	LES MISÉRABLES		12.55	THE PAJAMA GAME
12.20	PHANTOM OF THE OPERA		13.05	THRILLER LIVE
12.30	MISS SAIGON		13.30	BILLY ELLIOT THE MUSICAL
12.45	THE PAJAMA GAME		13.40	CAROUSEL
13.00	MATILDA THE MUSICAL		13.55	JERSEY BOYS
13.10	CHARLIE AND THE CHOCOLATE FACTORY		14.20	LET IT BE
13.20	DIRTY ROTTEN SCOUNDRELS THE MUSICAL		14.45	20TH CENTURY BOY
13.35	JERSEY BOYS		15.10	ENGLISH NATIONAL OPERA
13.55	MAMMA MIA!		15.25	WEST END KIDS
14.10	THE BODYGUARD		15.40	THE SHOWSTOPPERS
14.25	FORBIDDEN BROADWAY		16.05	WEST END MASTERCLASS
14.40	THRILLER LIVE		16.25	WEST END LIVE: 10 FROM 10
15.05	THE GERSHWIN’S PORGY AND BESS		17.35	CALAMITY JANE
15.25	LET IT BE		17.45	LORD OF THE DANCE: DANGEROUS GAMES
15.55	GROOVE ON DOWN THE ROAD		18.00	SHOW ENDS
16.05	SYLVIA YOUNG THEATRE SCHOOL
16.20	BIG DANCE
16.40	KASIA HOWLEY
16.50	THE WEST END GOSPEL CHOIR
17.05	NATHAN AMZI & CHRISTINA MARIE
17.25	STOMP
17.45	THE ROYAL OPERA HOUSE CHORUS
18.00	SHOW ENDS

If you want a more traditional theatre experience at an affordable price then booking opens for Kid’s Week on Tues 17^th June at 10am. This too is an annual event where for each adult ticket purchased a child can go free. The only change is that in recent years it now runs for the entire month of August, maybe they should change the name.

This year 35 West End shows are taking part and are split into age appropriate categories, if you are quick off the mark there are activities to sign your children up for as well, meeting casts, puppetry and dancing workshops etc.

Although the activities and the popular shows book up fast, further tickets are released throughout the booking period so keep checking the website but nevertheless there is always something to see. Why not experiment? You may be very pleasantly surprised.

You can book through their website www.kidsweek.co.uk or telephone ticketmaster from 10am Tuesday. It does save a lot of time if you create a ticketmaster account in advance but for goodness sake be patient, the process can get frustrating, have a few shows and dates in mind and keep flexible.

This will be my children’s 4^th year of attending ‘Kidsweek’ (month) and they thoroughly enjoy it. It is fantastic to let your children experience the magic of the West End. Happy theatre going.