Every year, we offer you the opportunity to take your child to a show for free in August with Kids Week. We have dozens of shows available, from long-standing West End favourites to brand-new productions.
This year, we’ve not just brought you the staples you’ve been eagerly anticipating all year. We’ve also included 18 brand new shows. From shows for under 5s, to musicals teenagers will love, there’s literally something for everyone in this year’s Kids Week.
To help you stay informed and to encourage you to try something a bit different, here are this year’s new shows.
Shows for under 5s:
Aliens Love Underpants at Underbelly
The zany and hilarious tale is based on the best-selling children’s book by Claire Freedman and Ben Cort. Mischievous extra-terrestrials impart on a madcap adventure to steal humans’ underpants…
For more information or to book for Kids Week, click here.
Shows for Age 5+
The King And I at the London Palladium
This charming production of Rodgers and Hammerstein’s The King And I won four Tony Awards during its run on Broadway. Now, it’s your turn to see the enchanting and timeless tale. Treat your child to a proper night at the theatre with this classic musical which has been wowing audiences since it was first staged in 1951.
For more information or to book for Kids Week, click here.
The Star Seekers at the National Theatre
In The Star Seekers, families take the steering wheel, shaping the story around which the actors improvise. You’ll be able to discover strange worlds, create solar system soundscapes, encounter extra-terrestrial beings, and even fire asteroids through the dark void of space!
For more information or to book for Kids Week, click here.
Shows for Age 8+
Brief Encounter at Empire Cinema Haymarket
Based on the Noël Coward film of the same name, this multimedia show retells what is often referred to as the most haunting love story ever told. A mixture of film and stage play, with additional musical elements, Brief Encounter has toured all over the world and is now in London at the restored Empire Cinema Haymarket.
For more information or to book for Kids Week, click here.
Broken Wings at Theatre Royal Haymarket
The brand-new musical based on Lebanese-born poet Kahlil Gibran’s iconic 1912 masterpiece of the same name is making its world debut at Theatre Royal Haymarket for five performances only. Set in New York City in 1923, an ageing Gibran narrates his story using poetry and music. He transports the audience back 20 years and across continents to turn-of-the-century Beirut where his tragic love story is told.
For more information or to book for Kids Week, click here.
The Importance Of Being Earnest at the Vaudeville Theatre
Often considered to be the funniest play in English, The Importance Of Being Earnest is essential watching for any theatre-lover. Throwing love, logic and language into the air, this much-loved comedy is fun for all the family.
For more information or to book for Kids Week, click here.
Double Act at the Polka Theatre
Vicky Ireland’s funny and gripping stage adaptation of Double Act, based on Jacqueline Wilson’s multi-award-winning book, was an instant hit when it premiered at Polka Theatre in 2003 and loved by thousands of children during a UK tour. Now it’s your chance to see this beloved story live on stage.
For more information or to book for Kids Week, click here.
A Monster Calls at The Old Vic
See Patrick Ness’ piercing novel come to life in this unique stage adaptation by Siobhan Dowd. The moving story centres on 13-year-old Connor who must deal with his mother’s sickness. To help him, a monster comes walking to share his tales in exchange for Connor’s.
For more information or to book for Kids Week, click here.
Sounds And Sorcery Celebrating Disney Fantasia at The Vaults
Dive into the depths of The Vaults and discover a world inspired by Disney Fantasia. The new immersive music concert will take you on an emotional journey through some of classical music’s greatest work. You’ll dance with a funky hippo, walk in a prehistoric wasteland, seek out the fairies in a magical forest and, if you dare, sneak into the Sorcerer’s lair.
For more information or to book for Kids Week, click here.
Witness For The Prosecution at London County Hall 
Based in a unique courtroom setting inside London’s County Hall, Agatha Christie’s Witness For The Prosecution is a landmark production of a gripping story of justice, passion and betrayal. The audience is placed in the action as Leonard Vole is accused of murdering a widow. With shocking witness testimony from where he least expected them, will he be able to convince the jury he’s innocent? Can he escape the ultimate fate: the hangman’s noose?
For more information or to book for Kids Week, click here.
Strictly Ballroom The Musical at the Piccadilly Theatre
See the incredible Baz Luhrmann film performed live before your very eyes with Strictly Ballroom The Musical. Telling the story of a young rebel who wants to rock the world of ballroom dancing and his unlikely partner who changes his world forever. Jam-packed with bright and colourful costumes, more high-kicks than the Moulin Rouge, and a playlist of hit 90s songs sung by Will Young, it’s a fun-filled night unlike anything else on the West End.
For more information or to book for Kids Week, click here.
PG shows
Bat Out Of Hell at the Dominion Theatre
Inspired by Meatloaf’s record-breaking albums Bat Out Of Hell and Bat Out Of Hell II, this adrenaline-charged musical takes you on an adventure to a post-apocalyptic world where love overcomes huge obstacles. Based on the classic JM Barrie tale, Peter Pan, you’ll experience the much-loved story in a completely new way.
For more information or to book for Kids Week, click here.
Chicago at Phoenix Theatre
Set in prohibition Chicago, this seductive and sassy show tells the story of two rival performers who are locked up in the same County Jail for murder. It satirises the corruption found in the criminal justice system at the time, all with razzle-dazzle and sequins. Filled with lies, glamour and some of musical theatre’s best-known songs, can you turn down all that jazz?
For more information or to book for Kids Week, click here.
Everybody’s Talking About Jamie at the Apollo Theatre
Everybody’s Talking About Jamie is a brand-new musical about Jamie New: a 16-year-old on the edge of possibility, who doesn’t quite fit in on his council estate in Sheffield and has big aspirations. Supported by his brilliant, loving mum and surrounded by his friends, Jamie overcomes prejudice, beats the bullies, and steps out of the darkness into the spotlight to become a sensation. It’s an uplifting show that spreads love, acceptance and inspiration.
For more information or to book for Kids Week, click here.
Knights Of The Rose at the Arts Theatre
Telling the tale of the noble Knights Of The Rose, this brand new musical is filled with betrayal, love, bloodshed and redemption. Set to a playlist of classic rock songs – including five Bon Jovi mega-hits, two Bonnie Tyler power ballads, and many other rocking hits – with rich literature from the likes of Marlowe, Shakespeare and Chaucer.
For more information or to book for Kids Week, click here.
Young Frankenstein at the Garrick Theatre
Based on the Oscar-nominated comedy, Mel Brooks’ Young Frankenstein reimagines Mary Shelley’s seminal novel with hilarious results. It centres on Dr Frederick Frankenstein (pronounced ‘Fronk-en-steen’) – the grandson of the infamous Victor Frankenstein – who must accept his family’s past and fulfil the destiny his grandfather laid out for him. With tongue-in-cheek songs, some saucy dance numbers and laughs that’ll make your belly hurt, it’s an education in classic comedy.
For more information or to book for Kids Week, click here.
Pressure at the Ambassador’s Theatre
Based on a remarkable true story, David Haig’s brilliant drama tells the tale of the D-Day landings from a completely new perspective. Set in the British war rooms, it shows the meticulous planning that went into the fateful invasion which eventually led to the Allied victory on the Western Front. Focusing on Scottish meteorologist, James Stagg, it gives an insight on the planning of Operation Overlord. But with a rival meteorologist providing conflicting data, the lives of 350,000 troops rest on his shoulders.
For more information or to book for Kids Week, click here.
Six at the Arts Theatre
From Tudor queens to pop princesses, Six is the story of Henry VIII’s six wives from their perspective. This celebration of sisterly sass-itude will tell the her-story of these significant women from a whole new point of view.
For more information or to book for Kids Week, click here.
There are over 30 shows offering free child tickets during August. To book yours, visit the Kids Week page.