Sally Cookson’s Olivier Award nominated production of Hetty Feather and Tall Stories’ The Gruffalo’s Child are among the theatrical treats on offer for families at the Rose Theatre Kingston in 2016.
The acclaimed take on Jacqueline Wilson’s tale about a feisty Victorian heroine, which started life at the Kingston venue before its more recent West End outings, will be back at its original home from 24 to 28 February.
The circus-inspired show, which charts Hetty’s escape from the Foundling Hospital, will follow Julia Donaldson and Axel Scheffler’s much-loved The Gruffalo sequel, The Gruffalo’s Child (16 to 21 February). Suitable for children aged three and older, the pair’s second deep dark wood-set adventure follows the title character as she ignores her father’s warning and tiptoes out into the snow.
The Rose’s family-friendly offerings will also include David Wood’s much-loved adaptation of Roald Dahl’s The Witches (29 March to 10 April), which brings its tale of the child-hating title characters to the venue following its run at Leicester’s Curve Theatre early next year.
The production, which follows one brave young boy and his grandmother as they hatch a plan to get rid of the witches for good, is suitable for children aged five and older, and promises mind-boggling illusions that will leave you flabbergasted.
Following February’s The Gruffalo’s Child, more Donaldson and Scheffler collaborations will come in the form of Tiddler. The multi-tale compilation will see many of the duo’s much-loved titles – Tiddler, Monkey Puzzle, The Smartest Giant In Town and A Squash And A Squeeze – brought to life once again on the London stage for children aged three and older.
The season is completed by Mr Popper’s Penguins (14 to 17 January), which will kick off the family-friendly line-up in the new year with its tale of a painter and decorator who’s astounded one day when a packing crate arrives on his doorstep and out waddles a penguin.
The musical adaptation of Richard and Florence Atwater’s popular book is suitable for children aged three-years-old and older, and is brought to the stage by the producers behind The Tiger Who Came To Tea and We’re Going On A Bear Hunt.
For more information about the Rose Theatre Kingston’s family-friendly productions and to book tickets, visit the venue’s website.