West End cinemas & chains

Brtitsh Film Institute (BFI) & Imax 

The BFI National Film Theatre has lots running that will be of interest to children, recent seasons have included Anime and a Roald Dahl retrospective. Established in 1933, the British Film Institute promotes understanding and appreciation of Britain's rich film and television heritage and culture and runs a range of activities and services. It also boasts a massive IMAX screen, one of only two in London, that offers a great cinematic experience that includes 3D films! 

Imax (Science Museum)

Huge screen often showing 3D films. Now I'm no smaltz man, but I was blown away by the Polar Express in 3D here. However, other 3D documentaries do lose there appeal after a while though, particularly for younger kids.

Odeon, Camden Town Parkway

Fantastic old Cinema in the heart of Camden Town. You can combine a trip to the Cinema with a Trip to London Zoo, Regent's Park or even a canal boat trip.
Tube: Camden Town, BR:Camden Road, Buses - 253/29/31/168/134/88/C11/C4
Address:  14 Parkway, Camden, LONDON, NW1 7AA
Tel:  08712244007

The Artsdepot

Located at Tally Ho Corner in North Finchley, artsdepot is unique venue to North London. Its programme of activities range from theatre, to live music, comedy, dance, art exhibitions, spoken word and regular children's shows. The centre consists of a main theatre and a smaller studio theatre, an art gallery, café, bars, and education studios all in a contemporary setting. Well worth a visit!

Map      Journey Planner     Driving

Puppet Theatre Barge

The first performance on the barge was presented in 1982. Described as one of London's more elusive treasures, it is an established 50 seat theatre with comfortable seating and all modern facilities and is unique. Fully heated in the winter and cooled in the summer it is rich in atmosphere and provides the ideal setting for the imaginative shows produced by this company. The theatre presents marionette and rod puppet spectacles throughout the year, spending the winter in Little Venice, central London and the summer on the River Thames from July to October giving  performances at Henley-on-Thames, Marlow, Cliveden and Richmond-on-Thames.

Tube: Warwick Avenue (zone 2)
Address: Puppet Theatre Barge, Little Venice (opposite 35-40 Blomfield Rd), London, W9 2PF
Tel: (020) 7249 6876
Web: www.puppetbarge.com

The Little Angel Theatre 

Since it was founded in 1961, The Little Angel has brought pleasure to many thousands of children and adults with its own highly imaginative and groundbreaking productions, as well as hosting a broad range of visiting puppet companies.

Its lively Education department works with primary schools, out-of-school clubs, youth and community groups drawn from all over the capital.
Admission: Adult 7.50, Child £5 (Fridays ‘Pay What you Can’ scheme, call for info.)
Tube: Angel, Highbury & Islington (zone 1)
Address: Little Angel Theatre,14 Dagmar Passage, London, N1 2DN
Tel: (020) 7226  1787
Website

Half Moon Young 

Half Moon in East London offers both professional productions and participatory projects for young people ranging from 0 -17. Recently the theatre company had the opportunity to work with the Media Trust and Pink films to produce a film featuring youth theatre members.Why not join their e-mailing list to be kept up to date on all events.

Throughout the year Half Moon offers a wide range of participatory projects in schools, nurseries, Children's Centres and community groups

DLR: Limehouse( zone )
Address: Half Moon Young People’s Theatre, 43 White Horse Rd, London, E1 0ND
Tel: 08700 534 534 (Booking)
Website
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Unicorn 

Unicorn Theatre Was founded in 1947. Its mission is to create amazing shows for children which are fun, challenging and exciting – shows which rise to the challenge of a child’s imagination. It believes its shows for children should live up to the same high standards as those for adults. The company has recently moved in to a new world class theatre in the heart of London. 

Polka Theatre 

Polka Theatre is one of the few venues in the UK that is dedicated exclusively to producing and presenting high quality theatre for young audiences. Since its doors opened in 1979, this unique venue has offered children a first taste of the thrilling, challenging and inspiring world of theatre. Many of it's shows allow a young audience to interact and participate in the performance.  Shows can be half hour upwards and workshops can be over a number of daysBetween £5-£10 & £15-£85 for workshops, concesions available.

Location:  Wimbledon
Address:  Polka Theatre, 240 The Broadway, Wimbledon, London, SW19 1SB
Tel: (020) 8543 4888
Website
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Other Theatres

We have listed children's theatres, but there are lots of other theatres around that often put on performances for children (usually around school holiday time). You can also try:

The Roundhouse(Camden): a north London landmark venue presenting an international programme of high quality events for diverse audiences.At its heart is Roundhouse Studios, a series of state of the art studios, providing a creative environment and the facilities for young people to engage with artists, professionals and their peers in order to develop and realise their creative aspirations.  www.roundhouse.org.uk

The Lyric(Hammersmith): Produces great theatre at affordable prices to ensure accessibility to a wide and varied audience. Lots of work in the community with young people (11+). The main theatre is a beautiful 550 seat 19th century classical auditorium. You can download the Children's brochure from: www.lyric.co.uk 

The Soho Theatre: Based in the heart of the West of the West End this theatre offers a varied programme of entertainment. Although not obvious from the website, this theatre has put on some great children's performances in the past including the Gruffalo!  www.sohotheatre.com

The West End stage

See one of the big shows currently playing in the West End:

Billy Elliot

From an award winning film to an award winning musical with songs by Sir Elton John.

Fame

A very energetic musical based around the 1980's TV show about students at a performance arts school in New York.

Les Miserables

Set in the 19^th century, this adaptation of Victor Hugo's novel is London's longest running and most successful musical.

The Lion King

Probably one of the best-suited musicals for kids, it will be familiar to children thanks to the Disney film classic.

Mamma Mia!

Great for children if they love Abba! Tribute to the legendary Swedish band, the kids will be singing their songs for many more days after!

Mary Poppins 

Stomp 

Sensational unorthodox show of music and dancing. Known for its unconventional, but effective, use pans, dustbins, kitchen sinks, etc. as percussion instruments this bring together an extraordinary musical performance!

Wicked

This spectacular Broadway musical tells the story of the legendary witches from Frank Baum's classic, The Wonderful Wizard of Oz, before Dorothy arrived. Now Wicked brings to life the captivating, surprising tale of how a misunderstood, green girl named Elphaba became ‘wicked' but her unlikely friend, Glinda, became ‘good'. Based on Gregory Maguire's novel, the show takes audiences to a fantasyland of wizardry, witchcraft, sorcery and spells. Winner of 15 major awards in the US, this has got to be worth a visit! Best availability Mondays and Tuesdays 7.30pm and Wednesdays at 2.30pm and 7.30pm.

The Sound of Music

You voted for the new Maria now see her live!The last collaboration between Richard Rodgers and Oscar Hammerstein II, and one of the most successful Oscar-winning film musicals of all time. Based on the uplifting true story of the Von Trapp family, this much loved musical returns to the west end in a fantastic new production by Andrew Lloyd Webber.

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