London Theater: Not Just for Grownups

Imagine giant 15-foot puppets dancing across the stage and the glint of gold lamé costumes in 1001 Nights. Picture Romeo swooping through the air to catch Juliet’s hands off the trapeze in a Shakespearean circus. These are just a few scenes from plays I’ve seen with children at London’s Young Vic theater, one of the city’s best spots for children to experience the joys of the stage.

If your family is visiting London and wants to join in the fun, check out our insider’s guide to the best theaters for different ages (rough guidelines only), along with advice and tips from local parents.

Theater for Kids Aged 0-3 

Need to know:

• Keep it short and simple. Running times will make or break you: 30 minutes is best, 45 is doable. If the story line sounds vague, and the words “imaginative” or “magical world” are used too often, consider yourself warned.

 

• Aside from putting on their own productions, Polka Theatre also offers workshops so children of all ages can be involved.

Courtesy of Polka Theatre

• Keep it small. Large spaces can be intimidating for this age—aim for the size of a large living room with mats or carpets.

• Interactive is a must. Nothing bores a toddler more than not being able to move. While sitting down/standing up/waving props may be a bit tedious, think of it as one less visit to the gym.

Best venue: Polka Adventure Theatre in Wimbledon Polka’s Adventure Theatre, a small studio that puts on short works like a 35-minute ecologically-minded puppet show of Three Billy Goats Gruff, ticks all the boxes above. Estelle Guy, who has taken her sons (now 4 and 3 years old) to the theater an average of 10 times a year, found the Polka an ideal training ground. “The children are very close to the actors, which helps in capturing and holding their attention. But at the same time, they are learning that they have to sit and listen and watch—rather than run around like nutters. My sons both understand the theater environment now, and I can relax knowing they won’t act up.” 

Theater for Kids Aged 3-7

Need to know:

 

• Polka Theatre was the United Kingdom’s first theater dedicated exclusively to childen.

Simon Jay Price

• Familiarity is good. Children this age enjoy story lines they know through books or television. They also seem to enjoy new twists on an old tale.

• Timing. You know your child’s high and low energy cycles. Many theaters offer more than one show a day—aim for that magic time between mania and slumping.

Best venue: Little Angel Theatre, Islington. This beautiful, atmospheric puppet theatre venue seats just 100 and puts on a wide range of shows for children—fairy tales, adaptations of children's books, Shakespeare and original work. And the puppets are just as wide-ranging, from table-top and shadow puppetry to marionettes and body puppets.

London mom Lynne Melbourne attended many shows at the Angel with her daughter from the ages of 3 to 6. “It’s an utterly charming place, and she loved every single show she saw. There’s such a variety on offer, you’re sure to find something that suits your child.” The theater also runs puppet making workshops.