Kids Week in the West End, the annual initiative offering free children’s tickets to West End shows, launched today with a special performance of We’re Going On A Bear Hunt at the Duchess theatre.
The launch, which was attended by stars including singer Jamelia and actress Lisa Faulkner, also featured previews of London Christmas productions The Tiger Who Came To Tea and The Gruffalo, giving the assembled audience a taste of what children’s theatre in the West End has to offer.
Speaking after the Kids Week launch Jamelia, who enjoyed the show with her two daughters Teja and Tiani, said: “I just think it’s such a brilliant idea because so many people think you can’t take children to the theatre because they have to be quiet, but there are productions like this that are on where they can be as loud as they want.
“The first time I went to the theatre was to watch Chicago, so I was probably 20-something. I just want it to be another experience for my children; for them I’d like it to be a normal thing. I used to think only posh people go to the theatre, but if I’m here, that’s definitely not the case.”
Kids Week, which runs from 14 to 28 August, offers children the chance to experience the excitement of live theatre absolutely free when accompanied by a full paying adult. Two extra children’s tickets can also be purchased at half price. Since booking opened at 10:00 this morning (14 July) more than 15,500 tickets have already been sold.
But there is more to Kids Week – which is now in its 12th successful year – than just incredible deals to see some of the West End’s most popular shows. It also offers children the chance to get involved, with many workshops and activities linked to and run by hit London productions offering them a chance to sing, dance, chat and peak backstage with West End stars.
Speaking about the promotion, David Wood, the children’s playwright who compèred the day’s events, added: “Kids Week puts the focus, just for two weeks, on the idea of children and young people going to the theatre. What is impressive this year is the fact that they’ve gone for this very young age range to launch it. Obviously there are other shows [taking part], but to show recognition for shows for under fives when, in fact, shows for under fives almost didn’t exist 10, 15, 20 years ago, it’s an extraordinary development, and the fact that that is respected and the fact that a West End theatre allows small children to come into it to have a show of their own, I think is a major step forward and very exciting.”
Full information about Kids Week and the shows taking part can be found at www.kidsweek.co.uk, along with meal, transport and hotel deals.
MA