Best family-friendly West End shows
The pick of theatre aimed at a younger audience, from Frozen to Mrs Doubtfire
London's Theatreland offers rich pickings for children of all ages. Here are five of the best shows to book now.
My Neighbour Totoro
Returning to the Barbican Theatre is the stage adaptation of the Studio Ghibli hit film, which on its original run was "the highest grossing show ever at the Barbican's theatre," said the London Evening Standard. The Royal Shakespeare Company production is "a triumph", said The Telegraph, and the "Gruffalo-like" lead character is "magnificently humongous with a mighty, reverberating growl, wicked smile, lumbering walk and bouncy castle of a fluffy tum". His "spectacular appearances" are " worth the price of admission alone", and rivalled only by the "hallucinogenic, 12-legged 'Cat-bus'".
Barbican Theatre, until 23 Mar. Book here
Subscribe to The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.
Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
Frozen
The messages conveyed in this West End musical "may be typically saccharine Disney ones – that it is vital to embrace your own magic and that love can thaw the coldest of hearts – but they are nevertheless true and important for the army of young Elsas and Annas out there", said The Guardian's Arifa Akbar in a five-star review.
The stage production is every bit as magical as the original animated film, packed with visual thrills and gorgeous choreography (by Rob Ashford), alongside signature ballads that gain greater power in their live incarnation. But "adults will note that it's more serious, sadder and wiser than the film", said Time Out, partly because of the "simple act of casting actual humans", which means the "whole thing has a much more adult sense of emotional trajectory".
All the same, said The Guardian's Chris Wiegand, "Frozen" was "hailed by critics as the perfect introduction to theatre for children" after first opening in summer 2021. But all good things must end, with the show's run due to end in September.
However, Wiegand added, a competition is being launched for UK secondary schools, one in each region, to stage their own "Frozen" production, and be "the first to present the full-length version of the show".
Theatre Royal Drury Lane, until 8 Sept. Book here
Mean Girls
One for tweenagers and teens, the stage adaptation of "Mean Girls" is set to open in June 2024, after delays due to the pandemic. With "screenwriter turned comic superstar" Tina Fey behind the script, said Culture Whisper, the "cult appeal of the 2004 film translates slickly to the stage".
The action is updated to take account of social media, but the audience won't miss out on "all the catchphrases and caustic comedy we know and love". The hero is Cady Heron, a 16-year-old "home-schooled student totally naive to the cliquey ways" of her new high school, said Time Out.
Savoy Theatre, 7 Jun–27 Oct. Book here
Six the Musical
This award-winning musical is about the six wives of Henry VIII, "told from their perspective through songs so catchy, clever and comical that no kid will notice that the history lesson blended within", said The Mirror. Each queen tells her story through song and dance: "the bits you know well and the bits you had no idea of until now". The ending wraps it all up "with a neat knee in the patriarchy's balls, a knowing wink, and a finale song which brings the house down".
"I expect these queens to rule the West End for years to come," said The Telegraph, which applauded the "tightly drilled sextet" that make up the cast. And, at 80 minutes, the show is "laudably concise" and not too long for children to sit through. "Many bloated shows could learn from its focus."
Vaudeville Theatre, until 3 Nov. Book here
Mrs Doubtfire
"Feelgood but not fluffy-minded", this musical features a "fleet and able cast", said The Telegraph. Gabriel Vick plays the lead role and honours "what we loved about the film without being dully emulatory". He ably carries out the "repeat feat of slipping, sometimes in plain sight, into a fake body and face mask plus tricksy grey wig, blouse, cardi, pleated skirt and spectacles".
"A thoroughly enjoyable musical that wears its heart on its sleeve, and makes up in rumbustious good humour what it lacks in originality," said WhatsOnStage. It has a "really beautiful message about the importance of finding your family, whether or not it's a conventional one". All in all, this show is the "theatrical equivalent to comfort food".
Shaftesbury Theatre, until 16 Feb 2025. Book here
Create an account with the same email registered to your subscription to unlock access.
Sign up for Today's Best Articles in your inbox
A free daily email with the biggest news stories of the day – and the best features from TheWeek.com
Adrienne Wyper has been a freelance sub-editor and writer for The Week's website and magazine since 2015. As a travel and lifestyle journalist, she has also written and edited for other titles including BBC Countryfile, British Travel Journal, Coast, Country Living, Country Walking, Good Housekeeping, The Independent, The Lady and Woman’s Own.
-
'Horror stories of women having to carry nonviable fetuses'
Instant Opinion Opinion, comment and editorials of the day
By Harold Maass, The Week US Published
-
Haiti interim council, prime minister sworn in
Speed Read Prime Minister Ariel Henry resigns amid surging gang violence
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
Today's political cartoons - April 26, 2024
Cartoons Friday's cartoons - teleprompter troubles, presidential immunity, and more
By The Week US Published
-
Palazzo Durazzo Suites in Genoa: a palatial gem in northern Italy
The Week Recommends Live your Italian dream in this astonishing and recently restored palace in the heart of the city
By Nick Hendry Published
-
Antony Gormley's Time Horizon – a 'judgmental army' of 100 cast-iron men
The Week Recommends Sculptures are 'everymen questioning the privilege of their surroundings' at the Norfolk stately home
By Adrienne Wyper, The Week UK Published
-
6 star-spangled presidential libraries to visit
The Week Recommends These institutions provide insight into American leaders
By Catherine Garcia, The Week US Published
-
5 stellar TV series based on award-winning novels
The Week Recommends Max's 'The Sympathizer' is not the only successful adaptation of prestige fiction
By David Faris Published
-
You Are Here: the new David Nicholls 'past-their-prime' romance
The Week Recommends 'Midlife disenchantment' gives way to romance for two walkers on a cross-country hike
By Adrienne Wyper, The Week UK Published
-
The best dog-friendly hotels around the UK
The Week Recommends Take a break with your four-legged friend in accommodation that offers you both a warm welcome
By Adrienne Wyper, The Week UK Published
-
5 ways to help the environment while on vacation
The Week Recommends An afternoon of planting trees could be the best part of your trip
By Catherine Garcia, The Week US Published
-
Olive oil: alternatives for the 'liquid gold'
The Week Recommends As the price of this store cupboard staple has rocketed, we look at ways to save and other oils to use for cooking
By Adrienne Wyper, The Week UK Published