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.
‘Captivating’: DUST / PARTY – Half Moon Theatre (Online review)
Half Moon Theatre in the east end of London can usually be relied on for quality product and they are just in the middle of streaming a trilogy of filmed plays so I settled down to watch a pair of these.
‘Never flags in its delivery or pace’: WHERE THE BUGABOO LIVES – Little Angel Theatre (Online review)
Where The Bugaboo Lives is the Little Angel’s first Zoom production, performed live. It joins the productions which have been available for free on their YouTube channel during theatre closure.
‘An innovative & imaginative piece’: CURSE OF THE CRACKLES – Shoreditch Town Hall (Online review)
The world premiere of “the great sonic adventure” Curse of the Crackles proves to be 45 minutes of utter fun. Find yourself a dark space or wear an eye mask, plug in your headphones, and interact when you like in this audio experience which brings all kinds of sounds to surround you in your living space.
‘A light touch & a dose of laughter’: FABLES AT THE KITCHEN TABLE – Stute Theatre (Online review)
Soph is a storyteller, sharing tales from Aesop’s Fables to a virtual audience of school groups on Zoom. Fables at the Kitchen Table is the latest show from Stute Theatre, aimed at children aged 3-7, and it is tremendous fun.
NEWS: The Off West End Awards 2021 winners are announced
The winners of the Off West End Awards 2021, encompassing the Offies, OffFest, OnComm and OneOff Awards, have been announced in an online ceremony on 21 February 2021 via Scenesaver.
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.
From online festivals to streaming platforms, here’s a digital theatre catch-up to lift your spirits
Welcome to our first 2021 round-up of digital shows available for you to watch in the next few weeks.
From large-scale musicals to Zoom experiences, student showcases to the Bard, film and comedy, children’s theatre to audio pieces, storytelling to…
‘Engaging but not without their darker side’: Paper Aeroplane / Clever Cakes / The Twits (Online review)
Three of London’s most prolific children’s theatres make the OnComm Award finalist’s list.
NEWS: Finalists announced for new online theatre award OnComm
Since the start of the Covid pandemic closures in 2020, many independent, alternative and fringe theatre venues and companies across the UK and beyond responded to the challenges of lockdowns by taking their shows online – and OffWestEnd has responded to this whole new strand of theatre by launching a new award, the OnComm, for the best of this new stream of online theatre.
‘Offers a ray of sunshine’: WHAT A SUPERHERO WANTS FOR CHRISTMAS – Tall Tails Theatre (Online review)
What A Superhero Wants For Christmas, a wonderfully accessible and reassuring piece of children’s theatre, is worth watching if your children are feeling lonely and isolated at the moment.
‘Both mocks & celebrates this most British of theatrical styles’: POTTED PANTO (Online review)
Potted Panto is a quick and jolly canter through Pantoland hosted by a couple of energetic and resourceful performers.
‘An inventive & compelling retelling of a classic’: A CHRISTMAS Carol – Polka Theatre (Online review) ★★★★
An inventive and compelling retelling of a Christmas classic, the Polka Theatre’s A Christmas Carol is a great introduction to the tale of Mr Scrooge for audience members young and old.
‘Age-old tales charmingly done’: A Christmas Carol / The Emperor’s New Clothes (Online review)
The latest account of the Dickens perennial favourite A Christmas Carol comes courtesy of the Lawrence Batley Theatre in Huddersfield.
’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.
‘Everything about this production is impressive’: PETR PAN – Barn Theatre, Cirencester (Online review) ★★★★★
After the year we’ve all had no one can be forgiven for wanting a touch of escapism this Christmas. Thankfully the Barn Theatre has come to the rescue with it latest production, Peter Pan.
NEWS: Mangled Yarn Theatre brings feel-good festive spectacular Every Time a Bell Rings to Bedford’s Place Theatre
This Christmas Mangled Yarn Theatre is presenting Every Time a Bell Rings, a festive collection of heart-warming, emotional and comical stories inspired by the diverse Bedford community. The production, a sort of prequel to It’s a Wonderful Life, runs at the The Place Theatre, Bedford from 18 to 23 December 2020.
‘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.
‘Fizzes with energy’: THE HOUSE THAT JACKSON BUILT – Half Moon Theatre (Online review)
The Half Moon Theatre has been sharing a wide variety of shows for children during theatre lockdown, and in its latest, The House That Jackson Built written and performed by Justin Coe, they retain their high standards.
NEWS: Studio 3 Arts present their festive family theatre adaptation of The Princess & the Pea with a twist
This Christmas Studio 3 Arts will present their family theatre adaptation of The Princess and the Pea performed from 10-20 December 2020 at various times throughout the day. This fully socially distanced and Covid-19 secure play will be staged at the iconic Eastbury Manor House in Barking for groups of up to six people. The famous and much-loved fairy tale …