With the summer holidays just around the corner, the stage adaptation of the Julia Donaldson and Lydia Monks’ picture book What the Ladybird Heard has just flown into the West End for a summer stint ahead of a UK tour.
Mates blogger: The Family Stage
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The Family Stage is a blog following the lives of two musical mad mums who are attempting to sustain their theatregoing habit after adopting two little girls. Born out of Mummy’s indecision over whether to become a theatre blogger or mummy blogger, it attempts to straddle the boundary between the two worlds. But with family life revolving around extracurricular activities of the performing arts variety, and weekends filled with family theatre, Mummy finds that her musings remain distinctly stagey. When the munchkins are in bed, Mummy and Mrs Mummy take it in turns to go to grown-up shows, ensuring that they have something to talk about besides children.
The latest from The Family Stage on MyTheatreMates
‘Funny, moving & thought-provoking’: YOU ARE HERE – Southwark Playhouse
After five long months, theatre buildings are finally back in business for in-person performances, meaning our calendar and credit card statement(!) are starting to look […]
‘Fun & engaging’: DINOSAURS & ALL THAT RUBBISH – Roustabout Theatre (Online review)
Just like Michael Foreman’s classic book Dinosaurs and All That Rubbish, this makes for a piece of work with enduring appeal, rather than a stop-gap solution to not being able to go to the theatre in person.
‘A masterclass in storytelling’: AN ELEPHANT IN THE GARDEN – Barn Theatre (Online review)
An Elephant in the Garden is a poignant production that will unite and delight generations of families as they are drawn into Lizzie’s tale of triumph over adversity.
‘The script is jam-packed with jokes’: CINDERELLA LIVE – THE EASTER PANTO (Online review)
Packed with new jokes and songs, Cinderella Live brings an immersive and interactive home experience through a live-stream performance.
‘A masterclass in storytelling’: Grimm Tales for Fragile Times & Broken People – Creation Theatre (Online review)
With the gimmicks stripped away, what’s left in Creation Theatre’s Grimm Tales for Fragile Times & Broken People is a masterclass in storytelling which, while not exactly heartwarming, does manage to leave the audience with a reminder that even in the darkest of times, we are not alone.
’An innovative take on the now commonplace online concert’: THE SECRET SOCIETY OF LEADING LADIES – Barn Theatre (Online review)
The Secret Society of Leading Ladies is the brainchild of Ryan Carter and puts the viewer in control of a concert which sees five selected leading ladies brought together (digitally) under mysterious circumstances.
Theatre tips & treats for families looking for online half term entertainment
After a gruelling half term of home learning, families across the country are gearing up for another half term holiday with nowhere to go. But staying at home doesn’t have to mean having nothing to do, with a wide range of online activities available to entertain children of all ages.
’It’s 18 minutes of pure joy’: A CHRISTMAS CAROL – Polka Theatre
Polka Theatre’s A Christmas Carol is a brilliant take on a traditional tale which feels more relevant than ever this year.
‘A fun, festive frolic for the whole family’: THE LEGEND OF MOBY DICK WHITTINGTON – Sleeping Trees (Online review)
The Legend of Moby Dick Whittington is a fun, festive frolic for the whole family. So grab yourself a mince pie and kick off panto season in true 2020 style from the comfort of your sofa.
Roustabout Theatre’s founders reflect on a challenging but creative year
The founders of Roustabout Theatre privilege have turned the challenges of 2020 into creative ideas and continue to find joy in sharing their stories and laughter with people of all ages.
‘Brilliantly adapted for digital delivery’: PLAY-ALONG PLINK & BOO – Can’t Sit Still (Online review)
Nothing can replicate the feeling of live and interactive like a production that is indeed live and interactive. Or so we thought until we watched Play-Along Plink & Boo.
‘Has the audience engaged throughout’: UP, UP, UP & AWAY! – Super Stories With City Actors (Online review)
With Up, Up, Up and Away, Super Stories With City Actors have put together a fun family adventure that successfully replicates the joy of live children’s theatre.
‘A courtroom setting gets round socially distanced difficulties’: THE WIND IN THE WILLOWS – Guildford Shakespeare Company (Online review)
Guildford Shakespeare Company first performed their adaptation of Kenneth Grahame’s classic in 2015. After a successful series of Zoom murder mystery evenings, they decided to recreate their hit family production.
‘A cautionary tale about the importance of ideas & the value of human connection’: THE MACHINE STOPS – Big Telly Theatre (Online review)
Imagine a world where social contact is limited by a raft of regulations. A world where everyone communicates via computer instead of face to face.
‘As entertaining as it is educational’: LUNA – Roustabout Theatre Company
It’s a brilliant piece of theatre which will no doubt capture the imagination of anyone interested in space, and is one of those shows which genuinely works as well (if not better) for the adults as it does for the kids.
‘The key to the show’s success is its simplicity’: The Polar Bears Go Up – Unicorn Theatre (Online review)
The Polar Bears Go Up sees the Polar Bears off on an adventure to rescue a balloon, utilising multiple inventive methods of transport to climb higher and higher until, eventually, they end up in space.
From stage to sofa: A rundown of digital theatre available for families
In this article, we’ll be rounding up everything that’s available for families to live-stream to their living room.
‘Strong ensemble piece’: MACBETH – Greenwich Theatre ★★★★
Lazarus Theatre Company’s production of Macbeth effectively mixes the old and the new, adding to this sense that Macbeth is a cautionary tale for every era.
‘It’s funny & sad all at the same time’: NETFLIX & CHILL – Drayton Arms Theatre
Netflix & Chill is a truly thought-provoking play which shines a spotlight on the taboo topic of male mental health.
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