We’re partial to a dark and twisty grown-up show so our interest was immediately piqued by the press release for Snowflakes, a black comedy promising a cross between Black Mirror and Inside No. 9. Exploring themes of morality, justice and revenge, Robert Boulton’s debut play offers a dystopian take on trial by social media, where the consequences of cancellation are distinctly more permanent than being hounded off Twitter.
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
‘It’s brilliant to see underrepresented voices brought to life’: ALFIE’S FIRST FIGHT – Touring
Oliver Sykes’ debut children’s novel is inspired by growing up as a keen amateur boxer in a single parent family on the breadline. Having long been a passionate advocate for underrepresented voices, Sykes brings his own personal experiences to the page in Alfie’s First Fight, which promises to be a cross between Jacqueline Wilson and Rocky Balboa.
‘Powerful & thought-provoking’: FOX – Touring
Following a run at the Edinburgh Festival Fringe in 2019, and a Covid-induced hiatus, Katie Guicciardi’s FOX is finally out on tour. Inspired by real-life events, this witty one-hander offers a candid insight into the isolation of new motherhood. Mummy joined a room full of tiny humans and their grown-ups for a baby-friendly performance of FOX at Greenwich Theatre.
‘Fantastically fun production’: THE FLYING BATH – Little Angel Theatre
Overall, The Flying Bath at Little Angel Studios is a fantastically fun production which has pretty much everything you could ask of an early years show. It’s a brilliant celebration of the joys of imaginative play and the unique dynamic of sibling relationships. It will no doubt inspire its young audiences to get creative at home, but be prepared to have a very messy bathroom afterwards.
‘Electrifying evening of fear & laughter’: CIRQUE BERSERK! – Riverside Studios
Overall, Cirque Berserk! at Riverside Studios does exactly what is says on the tin, offering up a real circus experience in a theatre setting. While it doesn’t quite have the same atmosphere as the Big Top (and some acts feel a little constrained by the comparatively small performance space), it’s every bit as thrilling as its tented counterpart.
‘A fantastic debut play’: THE BOYS ARE KISSING – Theatre 503
In a week where a petition to remove LGBTQ+ education from the primary school curriculum has reached the threshold for a parliamentary debate, you will struggle to find a more relevant piece of theatre than The Boys are Kissing, Zak Zarafshan’s debut play.
’An enjoyable trip to Neverland’: The Further Adventures of Peter Pan: The Return of Captain Hook – Fairfield Halls
Peter Pan flies into Fairfield Halls this Christmas with a brand new adventure for all the family. The Further Adventures of Peter Pan: The Return of Captain Hook features a star-studded cast led by EastEnders bad boy Ricky Champ as Neverland’s very own baddie, Captain Hook.
‘Brilliantly inventive adaptation’: SCROOGELICIOUS – Theatre Peckham
Adapted by Geoff Aymer (the writer of last year’s excellent production The Wonderful), with Theatre Peckham’s artistic director Suzann McLean once more at the helm as director, Scroogelicious re-imagines the miserly protagonist as a property developer responsible for the gentrification of Peckham.
‘Often hilarious & surprisingly moving’: AN IMPROBABLE MUSICAL – Hackney Empire
When you book tickets to a musical you would ordinarily expect to see a highly polished, carefully choreographed production where every line, step and song has been rehearsed a hundred times. Not so if you’re heading to Hackney Empire for An Improbable Musical, a show which will be improvised before your eyes.
‘Enthralling, emotional & impactful play’: APPLES IN WINTER – Playground Theatre
Apples in Winter is an enthralling, emotional and impactful play which will no doubt appeal to anyone with an interest in the criminal justice system but will resonate for so many more. A remarkable piece of theatre which offers a voice to an often-ostracised group of people and will hopefully open up important conversations about justice and forgiveness.
‘Gets the environmental message across in an entertaining way’: DINOSAURS & ALL THAT RUBBISH –Touring
This year sees the 50th anniversary of Michael Foreman’s classic story Dinosaurs and all that Rubbish, a cautionary tale about environmental destruction which remains as relevant as ever. Back in the 2021 lockdown, Roustabout Theatre adapted the popular picture book into a three part online series. They’re now back with a live stage version of the story, which is out on an autumn tour following an Edinburgh Fringe run.
Taking the family to the Edinburgh Fringe? The Family Stage is here to help
We are wading through the ‘What’s On’ directory on the Edinburgh Fringe website to help you get to grips with it all. In the first of our Edinburgh Fringe previews, we’re focusing on the shows we’ve seen before. Whether you’re taking a toddler or teenager, you will find a show with the Family Stage seal of approval in our tried and tested list below.
‘Inspiring, empowering & uplifting musical’: Fantastically Great Women Who Changed the World – Touring
Kate Pankhurst’s best-selling picture book Fantastically Great Women Who Changed the World is filled with fascinating facts about some of the amazing women who have changed the course of history. And it’s now been adapted into a musical by a creative team of wonderful women.
‘Brilliantly entertaining’: THE MINISTRY OF LESBIAN AFFAIRS – Soho Theatre
When we received the press release for Iman Qureshi’s latest play, The Ministry of Lesbian Affairs, our interest was immediately piqued just by the name. And when we read on and discovered that it was a heartwarming comedy about a lesbian choir, it was clear that this was going to be just up our street.
‘Will inspire children to find the superhero inside themselves’: AIDY THE AWESOME – Touring
The Gramophones are a female-led company making contemporary theatre that puts women and girls centre stage. They are currently on tour with Aidy the Awesome, an aerial theatre show for ages three to eight which aims to break down gender stereotypes and offer young girls funny, feisty and strong role models.
‘Brilliantly accessible experience’: THE EMPEROR’S NEW CLOTHES – Polka Theatre
Aimed at ages three to eight, The Emperor’s New Clothes at the Polka Theatre is a fun show with a moral message that remains as relevant today as it ever was.
‘A reminder of how essential it is to see diverse & authentic stories told on stage’: MOHAND & PETER – Southwark Playhouse
Mohand and Peter are good friends with a lot in common. For one thing, they’re both actors pursuing their profession far from home.
‘A powerful reminder about how important it is to feel seen & heard’: INSTRUCTIONS FOR A TEENAGE ARMAGEDDON – Southwark Playhouse
The teenage years are the hardest to navigate. Everything’s changing. You don’t know what you’re doing and everyone around you is a walking cocktail of hormones.
‘Toilet humour & good gags for the kids’: GANGSTA GRANNY – Bloomsbury Theatre
David Walliams’ style of humour also tends towards the gross side. But in between all the fart jokes is a story with real heart that will resonate with adults and children alike.
‘A fantastically fresh take on The Wizard of Oz’: THE WONDERFUL -Theatre Peckham
In Theatre Peckham’s rewriting of Frank Baum’s The Wizard of Oz, the action takes place much closer to home than Kansas, and there’s no Dorothy or Auntie Em in sight.