The greatest stories should captivate, enchant and stay with you for a lifetime, so set your children off on a wonderful journey with StyleNest’s pick of children’s theatres. Where story telling is tailored for little minds with big imaginations.
Albert Einstein said that if you want your children to be intelligent make sure you tell them stories. And where better to be immersed in fantastical worlds than the theatre? It can be hard though to find a theatre in which not only are children most welcome, but where shows are created specifically with a younger audience in mind. If you do find one it will ignite in your children a love of theatre that will last a lifetime.
Here, we give you a range of wonderful, imaginative theatres and companies across the UK that aim to do exactly that.
Unicorn Theatre
Everything here is delightfully aimed at little people, from the low set sinks in the toilets to the magical play area and café bursting with scrumptious treats. A one-man version of Not Now Bernard is currently running, as well as 1001 Nights, and the Velveteen Rabbit on the horizon. There are also a series of drama workshops specifically timed for the school holiday, catering from ages from 2 – 18. Simply wonderful.
Where: 147 Tooley Street, London, SE21 2HZ
Website: www.theunicorntehatre.com
Little Angel Theatre
Known as the ‘Home of British Puppetry’, Little Angel is one of only three building-based puppet theatres in England. It not only runs puppetry courses for all ages, but is also located right next to the workshop where many of the puppets are made. They are famous for imaginative retellings of classic fairy tales. A current production of Sleeping Beauty in the Woods uses puppets, video and automata. Look out for the upcoming Skitterbag, a ‘heart-warming’ puppet opera.
Where: 14 Dagmar Passage, Islington, London, N1 2DN
Website: www.littleangeltheatre.com
The Puppet Barge
The owners of this company boast puppet storytelling that will captivate all from 3-93. This travelling barge holds daily puppet shows that are reminiscent of an age gone by. Known as one of London’s most elusive treasures, check out the website for its current location and step aboard and flat away as marionettes delight and enchant.
Where: Various waterway locations across the London.
Website: www.puppetbarge.com
Polka Theatre
Well established for over 30 years, Polka has been creating shows for children and young adults that are both engaging and accessible for decades. Now with two theatre spaces, they have a mission to make every theatre trip from the very first, both entertaining and welcoming, ensuring you return for more. Book early for tickets to Moma, a breath-taking musical fantasy based on the novel by Michael Ende, author of The Neverending Story
Where: 240 The Broadway, Wimbledon, London, SW19 1SB
Website: www.polkatheatre.com
The Egg, Theatre Royal Bath
Built from the shell of an old theatre and dedicated to children, young people and their families, The Egg has quickly grown into one of the children’s leading arts organisations in the UK. About to embark on its 10th year, it offers a wonderful range of shows and is also the home to the Theatre Royal Bath’s Young Peoples Theatre. Dinkies Story Time brings stories to life for little ones and the Shakespeare Scratch Cabaret provides a fabulous introduction to the Bard.
Where: Theatre Royal Bath, Sawclose, Bath, BA1 1ET
Website: www.theatreroyal.org.uk
Scottish Story Telling Centre
Story telling at its finest can be found here in all its forms. From live storytelling, theatre, music, family events and workshops; there are exciting tales to be told the year round. Children are sure to love the Dragon’s Nest, there’s a wonderful café and perhaps they might even be inspired by Scotland’s wonderfully rich, story heritage to start a story of their very own.
Where: 43-45 High Street, Edinburgh, EH1 1SR
Website: www.scottishstorytellingcentre.co.uk
Discover Children’s Story Centre
Discover started as a children’s museum and is now dedicated to providing a place where families and children can come together to enjoy learning, playing and creating stories together. Interactive exhibition, Secret Agent allows children to enter their very own Spy World, and the upcoming Big Write Event will bring together some of the UK’s leading children’s storytellers. They also provide a wonderfully inventive range of birthday parties, where experienced story builders make it a day to remember.
Where: 383- 387 High Street, Stratford, London, E15 4QZ
Website: www.discover.org.uk
The Lowry
The Lowry Centre was purpose built to make sure that all ages were included. Their selection of children’s shows is spectacular. From the Gruffalo to Horrible Histories, all the hit children’s show will stop by on their UK tours this year. Don’t forget though to check out some of the more unusual family shows. Lorent’s ballet of Rapunzel brings together the Poet Laureate, Carol Ann Duffy and Game Of Thrones Costume Designer, Michael Clapton for a dark and beautiful retelling of this magical tale.
Where: Pier 8, Salford Quays, M50 3AZ
Website: www.thelowry.com
Royal Shakespeare Company
Shakespeare can be daunting for those of any age, but a trip to Stratford is not only a lovely day out but can be a great introduction for young children to one of the greatest storytellers of all time. There is a range of accessible family activities this season, including Sprite Symphony, where you will be invited to follow a trail to find enchanting fairies trapped in jam jars, behind the scenes secrets tours and the Story Garden. They also provide a mass of fun educational resources over a range of media.
Where: The Royal Shakespeare Theatre, Waterside, Stratford Upon Avon, CV37 6BB.
Website: www.rsc.org.uk
