The 10 Best West End Shows For All The Family 2021
Image Credit: Kilyan Sockalingum
Do you want to go to the theatre in London’s iconic West End, with your kids, but don’t know which shows are suitable for them to see?
Fear not, for here is our guide to what’s on in the West End that is suitable for families with children. These musicals and plays are the ones that all the family will enjoy. From Disney spectaculars to rip-roaring comedies, here is the best of the West End for all the family.
A couple of things that you will need to note: Most West End theatre shows will not allow children under 5 years old into the performances, and as a general rule children under 16 must be accompanied by an adult who must sit next to them in the auditorium. I recommend that you check the theatre’s admission policy before booking.
Let’s dim the lights, switch our mobiles to silent and get on with the show….
Frozen the Musical
Possibly the biggest news for the West End for 2020 is the arrival of Frozen the Musical in the Autumn of 2020. The magical world of Arendelle comes to life with all of your favourite characters and songs to tell a story of love, hope and knowing yourself.
Booked to appear at the Theatre Royal Drury Lane, tickets will be onsale just as soon as dates are confirmed.
Are Frozen Tickets Available Yet?
The Snowman
The Snowman has been performed every Christmas at the Peacock Theatre since 1997 and has become something of a London Christmas institution. Based on Raymond Briggs iconic book it tells the tale of a boy and the magical night he spends when he is transported around the world with the snowman that he built, which comes to life one snowy Christmas night.
A truly magical experience for children of all ages, you will come out of the theatre “Walking in the Air”!
Mary Poppins
Mary Poppins is practically perfect! Everyone's original favourite nanny arrives at the Banks household just in time to set things straight with wisdom, a bit of magic, and a song or two. Join Mary, Jane and Michael as they feed the birds and fly kites.
You'll hear many of your favourite songs from the 1964 film, including 'Chim Chim Cher-ee’, ‘A Spoonful of Sugar’, fan-favourite ‘Supercalifragilisticexpialidocious’, and ‘Let’s Go Fly a Kite'.
Matilda
Fans of Roald Dahl will have Matilda at the top of their must-see list. Tim Minchin’s inspired musical version of the story of the girl who loves books has been described as a musical masterpiece. Created by the Royal Shakespeare Company it is a show that that revels in the anarchy of childhood, the power of imagination and the inspiring story of a girl who dares to change her destiny.
Matilda has played to packed houses and been given standing ovations since it opened, and has multiple awards around the world.
The Lion King
The Lion King has been running in the West End for nearly 20 years and is still massively popular with audiences. The show is not just a musical telling the story of Simba the lion cub; it is an experience which uses the whole of the theatre with music, dance, puppets and uniquely inventive props.
Of course it includes all the songs that your kids will know and love from the film, including I Just Can't Wait to Be King and The Circle of Life and includes comedy, tragedy and is everything that great theatre should be.
School of Rock
One the new kids on the block, School of Rock is based on the 2003 film which starred Jack Black.
With a rocking new score from Andrew Lloyd Webber, School of Rock follows slacker Dewey Finn as he turns a class of straight - A students into an ear-popping, riff-scorching, all-conquering rock band! Dewey prepares this bunch of uptight private school students for the Battle of the Bands, but can he make them embrace the empowering message of rock?
The show has an amazingly talented cast of kids who actually play the instruments on stage, so your little ones will love seeing kids just like them – and maybe they will be inspire to pick up a guitar too!
The Prince of Egypt
The Prince of Egypt, a new stage musical based on the 1998 DreamWorks Animation film , will begin performances at the West End's Dominion Theatre on 5th February 2020 for an initial 32-week run ending on 12th September 2020.
The musical tells the saga of Moses and his brother Rames who would become Pharaoh. The tale of a brother exiled, finally returning to his home and fighting to free his people from the bonds of slavery and lead them to the Promised Land.
Wicked
Wicked has almost now become a classic musical. Written as a prequel to The Wizard of Oz it tells the story of how Glinda The Good and Elpheba, the Wicked Witch of the West first met.
Already one of the longest running shows in London theatre history, this spectacular show includes the hit song “Defying Gravity” and has won over 100 theatre awards.
The Play That Goes Wrong
You can’t beat a bit of classic slapstick comedy, and The Play That Goes Wrong will have you breathless with laughter from start to finish
The Cornley Polytechnic Drama Society are putting on a 1920s murder mystery, but everything that can go wrong... does! Will the accident-prone actors battle against all odds to make it through to their final curtain call? You’ll have to find out!
Thriller Live
Thriller Live is a spectacular concert show with music, dance and a stunning light show featuring the songs of the iconic Michael Jackson, all performed live on stage.
A loving tribute to the King of Pop it includes non-stop hits from the whole of Jackson’s career from his early hits “ABC” and “Can You Feel It” to tracks from the “Thriller” album and beyond.
Mamma Mia
If you have seen the 2008 film or its recent sequel, you will know that Mamma Mia, with its string of ABBA hits is another of the West End’s most popular and long-running musicals. You probably know the plot; Sophie is about to get married, and wants to discover the father she’s never known. To find the answer she brings her mother face to face with three men from her distant romantic past on the eve of a wedding they’ll never forget!
With more ABBA songs than you can shake a stick at, this is an evening of fun and magical 70’s music that will leave everyone with a smile on their face and a tear in their eye.
About eParenting: eParenting was started by Jacqui O'Brien in 2004. At the time her kids were 1 and 4 and kept her nice and busy. Now they are teenagers and still keeping her pretty busy!
