A new family production of Hercules will join much-loved favourites The Snowman, Matthew Bourne’s Sleeping Beauty and The Little Match Girl in Sadler’s Wells’ new autumn/winter season.
Children of any age can enjoy New Art Club’s take on the story of Hercules when it brings pantomime, dance, cabaret and comedy to the Peacock Theatre on 24 and 25 July. Based on the Greek hero’s 12 labours, the production promises a choreographed wrestling match, a Paso Doble bullfight, a multi-headed dancing monster and a hula-hooping queen of the Amazon.
Audiences will know exactly what to expect from the Peacock Theatre’s festive offering, as Birmingham Royal Ballet’s hugely popular production of Raymond Briggs’ The Snowman returns for an incredible 18th year from 25 November to 3 January. Suitable for all ages, the show has become synonymous with Christmas in Theatreland, bringing with it one of the Yuletide season’s most iconic tunes, Walking In The Air.
Also returning in 2015 is Bourne’s family-friendly take on Sleeping Beauty. Playing at Sadler’s Wells from 1 December to 24 January, the classic tale of good versus evil is turned upside down to create a modern supernatural love story in the acclaimed choreographer’s dazzling 2012 hit.
Another return will come in the form of Arthur Pita’s The Little Match Girl for ages five and older. Set on an icy cold Christmas Eve, the stage version of Hans Christian Anderson’s short story sees the little match seller of its title taken on a journey by her beloved late grandmother. It plays from 12 December to 3 January in the Lilian Baylis Studio.
The Lilian Baylis Studio will also treat audiences to a family adaptation of Akram Khan’s Olivier Award-winning show DESH and the London premiere of Tiger Tale this autumn.
From 30 to 31 October, the Akram Khan Company’s Chotto Desh arrives with a magical mix of dance, text, visuals and sounds. Suitable for ages seven and older, it tells a tale about a young man’s dreams and memories of Britain and Bangladesh.
The Sue Buckmaster-directed production follows Tiger Tale (23 and 24 October), a moving story about a family whose world is turned upside down when a tiger invades. The piece is suitable for children aged five and older and offers theatregoers the chance to explore the set after the show.
For full details about Sadler’s Wells’ family-friendly autumn/winter offerings and to book tickets, visit the venue’s website.