The Spring Bank Holiday is on the horizon and with it comes the half term holidays. With a whole week off school, how are you going to keep the kids busy? Here are the highlights of what’s on in London this May Half Term.
New shows
The Boy Who Harnessed The Wind is a new musical which just opened in April and comes from the Royal Shakespeare Company. It’s a hopeful story of a young boy who believes he can build a windmill to help turn around the fortunes of his family’s drought-ridden farm. Based on William Kamkwamba’s memoir and the 2019 film, this is a show to uplift and inspire at London’s newest theatre – @sohoplace. Recommended for kids 11+.
Polka Theatre, Wimbledon’s theatre that’s dedicated to productions for children, brings The Rapping Princess to stage this half term. It follows Shiloh, a little princess who loves music but can’t sing. Join Shiloh on her musical journey of self-discovery as she finds her own voice. Aimed at kids aged 3-6 years old, this show is 50 minutes long and is on at 10.30am and 1.30pm so it’s a great way to start a day out in London.
Wild imaginations
If your child has an active imagination and believes in magic, they’ll love My Neighbour Totoro – and chances are you will too. Based on an iconic Japanese animated film, two daughters are left to their own devices in a new village when their father has to look after their ill mother. Among their adventures, they come across Totoro, Cat Bus and other amazing creatures of the forest, brought to life with incredible puppetry. There’s something for the whole family to enjoy in this full length show that’s recommended for ages 6+.
Magic is also abounds in Matilda The Musical. There’s a reason Roald Dahl’s books have been loved for generations and this story of a smart young girl determined to do the right thing reminds us why. Filled with lots of stage magic, an incredible cast of school kids and witty songs by comedian Tim Minchin, it celebrates 15 years on stage this year. Be part of the birthday party. Recommended for ages 6+.
The Magic Kingdom
For the Disney kids out there, there are two stage versions of beloved animations currently in the West End. Disney’s The Lion King is now in its 27th year and it’s easy to see why audiences all over the world flock to this big budget theatrical feast. The Serengeti Plains are brought to London with inventive dance and puppetry that compliment the classic story and memorable music. Recommended for ages 6+.
Who put the ‘glad’ in gladiator? Hercules! This wise-cracking, column-shaking, underworld-rocking adventure follows Hercules – caught between being a God and being a mortal – on his trials to save the world from Hades. Recommended for ages 6+, this show must end in September so don’t miss out.
For the book lovers
Arguably the biggest British musical in the world, Oliver! has returned to its rightful place in the West End in a new production directed by Matthew Bourne. It’s bursting with familiar songs like Food, Glorious Food, Pick a Pocket or Two, Who Will Buy? to name a few. It’s guaranteed to have you asking for more. In keeping with Charles Dickens’ original novel, this show has challenging themes so do check our Important Info section for guidance.
Currently celebrating 9¾ years on the West End, Harry Potter and the Cursed Child is the eighth book in the Harry Potter saga. Picking up exactly where the books left off, expect stage magic galore as you step back into Hogwarts. This is your last chance to see the show in its two-part form; from October the show will evolve into the reimagined one-part version. Suitable for ages 8+.
Long-running favourites
If the popularity of the hit two-part film has your kids Defying Gravity at home, take them on a journey to Oz where it first began – live and in person on stage! Winner of more than 100 global awards, Wicked takes a sideways look at The Wonderful Wizard of Oz and follows the unlikely but profound friendship between two women destined to be witches. Suitable for ages 7+.
13 is unlucky for some and that’s how many years The Play That Goes Wrong has been in the West End. What else could go wrong for them? There’s only one way to find out. Come the hilariously accident-prone Cornley Drama Society as they try to stage a traditional murdery mystery play where everything that can go wrong does. Suitable for ages 8+.
