What The Ladybird Heard flies into the West End this summer
(Photo credit: Robert Day)
Join the Ladybird and her farmyard friends Live on Stage at the Palace Theatre for a strictly limited summer season from 15th July to 29th August 2021
From Julia Donaldson, bestselling author of The Gruffalo, and award-winning illustrator Lydia Monks, comes the stage show of the much-loved picture book What the Ladybird Heard. With live original music from a quartet of talented actors, puppetry and a whole farmyard of fun, this 55-minute family favourite is the perfect summer treat!
Hefty Hugh and Lanky Len have a cunning plan to steal the farmer’s fine prize cow. But they reckon without the tiniest, quietest creature of all: the Ladybird has a scheme of her own!
(Photo credit: Robert Day)
Join the woolly sheep, the hairy hog, the fat red hen and the dainty dog as they take on the villains in their quest to save the day at the Palace Theatre, London. Published by Macmillan Children’s Books and with over 4 million copies sold this adaptation is the perfect introduction to theatre for children aged 3+. Expect plenty of participation, lots of laughs and rhymes galore!
First conceived on a countryside walk with her son, Donaldson enjoyed the idea of a quiet Ladybird outwitting the bigger brawnier creatures. The animals and their noises fill this colourful adventure with real flair and, in consultation with the original illustrator, beautifully capture the magic of the story.
Producer Kenny Wax comments, I am delighted that What the Ladybird Heard is returning to the stage and I’m looking forward to welcoming family audiences back to the West End for a much needed treat this summer. It will be wonderful to see smiling faces in the glorious Palace Theatre once again.
Click here to grab your tickets to see this brilliant family friendly show now.
Tickets now on sale for Oleanna, Raymonda and Nutcracker
One of the most controversial and celebrated plays of the last thirty years makes its return to the West End, following its acclaimed, five star revival at the Theatre Royal Bath. More relevant than ever in the #Metoo and Everyone’s Invited era, Oleanna brilliantly explores the explosive consequences of a seemingly innocuous conversation on an American campus between a college professor and female student.
ENB Artistic Director Tamara Rojo
Coming to the London Coliseum in January 2022, ENB Artistic Director Tamara Rojo adapts the classic story ballet Raymonda, with a heroine in command of her own destiny.
English National Ballet’s family classic will be returning to the London Coliseum this Christmas. Over 100 dancers and musicians bring Nutcracker to life with exquisite dancing, beautiful sets and Tchaikovsky’s popular score played live. Plan ahead and treat your loved ones to some tickets to see this classic.
If you’d like to find out what other shows you can enjoy in London this year, be sure to check out our rolling list by clicking the button below. Please rest assured that you can book your tickets on Official London Theatre with confidence and exchange with ease. Buying tickets in advance also helps the industry greatly, so if you’re a theatre fan who would like to support your fave shows or the industry as a whole, please book your tickets now and give yourselves something to look forward to this year.
Donmar Warehouse announces a new award to commission playwrights
Chris Bush and Diana Nneka Atuona
The Donmar Warehouse has today announced a new award to commission playwrights, in partnership with Access Entertainment, owner of the Theatre Royal Haymarket.
The Theatre Royal Haymarket Writers’ Award will commission two new writers each year to support the development of their careers on main stages. Each writer will receive a full commission to write a play as well as access to the Donmar’s creative talent who will offer support for the research and development of the writers’ ideas, through readings and workshops with professional actors. Access Entertainment has committed to funding the award for a pilot three years, starting this year, 2021.
The 2021 recipients of the Theatre Royal Haymarket Writers’ Award are Chris Bush and Diana Nneka Atuona.
Chris Bush said: “I’ve always been a huge fan of the Donmar Warehouse, and the epic intimacy its stage offers. My play is a very important, very personal project to me, and I am delighted to receive a commission from this brilliant theatre.”
Diana Nneka Atuona added: “My project is an ambitious play about history and community. It’s a play with many parts including music and cultural diversity. Receiving the award will grant me the opportunity and time to produce a polished piece of work”
Michael Longhurst, Artistic Director, Donmar Warehouse said: “This award was created to build opportunities for talented writers with the aim of getting ambitious plays onto our stages. We’re delighted to be collaborating with Chris and Diana, who both have big and ambitious ideas for plays that moved me deeply, asking important questions about identity, and what stories occupy our spaces. It’s so exciting to be able to commission Chris and Diana who share the Donmar’s passion and commitment to “important stories, thrillingly told, widely shared”. I am very inspired by their writing and instinct for stories that are both personal and epic. I am looking forward to working alongside them both, as well as all future recipients of this award. We are grateful to be working alongside Access Entertainment to support the future work of artists during this extremely difficult period for theatre”.
Danny Cohen, President, Access Entertainment said: “We are delighted to be partnering with the Donmar on this new Award. The aim is to provide new opportunities for the UK’s most exciting talent at a time when the theatre industry and everyone working in it are facing huge challenges. Congratulations to this year’s Award winners – Chris Bush and Diana Nneka Atuona. We are greatly looking forward to seeing what they produce.”