Theatre for younger audiences in 2024

Posted on Mon 29 Jan

There's certainly no shortage of kids' shows playing the Midlands in 2024. Here's a selection of highlights coming up over the next few months...

Shrek The Musical | Belgrade Theatre, Coventry from 30 January - 4 February | The Alexandra, Birmingham from 9-14 April

The popularity of this family-friendly West Ender hardly comes as a surprise. After all, Dreamworks’ animated Shrek movies - inspired by cartoonist William Steig’s 1990 book - were absolutely huge. So it was only ever going to be a matter of time before everybody’s favourite swamp-residing ogre made a big splash away from the silver screen.

Pretty much retelling the story of the first movie, the show peddles a line in humour that calls to mind both the surrealist Pythons and an evening of festive-season pantomime fare.

There are plenty of new songs to enjoy too, presented alongside cult Shrek anthem I’m A Believer, originally a chart-topping hit for The Monkees way back in the mid-1960s...

One-time Strictly Come Dancing favourite Joanne Clifton stars as Princess Fiona.

First published in 1982, Rod Campbell’s lift-the-flap book, Dear Zoo, has delighted generations of children and accumulated millions of sales worldwide.

This hugely popular stage version of the story features child-friendly puppets, music and lots of audience participation.

Bluey's Big Play | Birmingham Hippodrome from 1-4 February | Wolverhampton Grand from 27-28 July

When Dad feels like a little bit of Sunday afternoon time out, Bluey and Bingo have other plans! Join them as they pull out all of the games and cleverness at their disposal to get Dad off that bean bag.

Join the Heelers in their first live theatre show made just for you, featuring brilliantly created puppets, this is Bluey as you’ve never seen it before, brought to real life in this UK premiere.

Can Bears Ski? | The Rep, Birmingham | 9-10 February

Little Bear can’t hear Dad Bear calling, but feels the floor vibrate with heavy footsteps…

Little Bear can’t catch the funny joke at school when friends are laughing, but feels the crunch of snow on frozen pavements.

Join Little Bear and Dad Bear as they learn how there are many ways to communicate love, and to find your place in the world.

Can Bears Ski? Is based on the book by poet Raymond Antrobus, Ted Hughes Award-winner, who draws on his own experience as a deaf child in a hearing world.

Mischief & Mystery in Moominvalley | Symphony Hall | 10 February

Based on the much-loved novels by Tove Jansson, this heart-warming show tells the story of a year in Moominvalley. Moomintroll wakes up in the middle of winter with a ‘something- wrong feeling’. There’s no sign of his good friend Snufkin, or the note Snufkin left him. As winter turns to spring and Snufkin returns, the days lengthen into a lazy summer and ‘the sea brings them all the adventures they could wish for’.

Be sure to pack your imagination and join an unforgettable journey to Moominvalley where everyone is welcome, nature thrives, and adventures are plentiful.

We're Going on a Bear Hunt | Warwick Arts Centre | 10-13 February

See the smash-hit production of We’re Going on a Bear Hunt, as it returns vividly and noisily in director Sally Cookson’s fun-filled adaptation set to Benji Bower’s versatile lively score.

Join an intrepid family of adventurers and their musical dog on a quest to find a bear; as they wade through the gigantic swishy swashy grass, the splishy splashy river and the thick oozy, squelchy mud!

Expect catchy songs, interactive scenes, plenty of adventure and a few surprises along the way.

Based on the much-loved picture book by Michael Rosen and Helen Oxenbury, this mischievous celebration of play is the perfect treat for families with children aged 3 and up.

Three Little Pigs | The Old Rep | 12 February

Following the huge success of The Three Billy Goats Gruff, Lost The Plot Theatrical hit the road with another family classic. It’s time to get blown away in this brand-new musical adventure of The Three Little Pigs!

Join Poppy, Penny and Pat as they excitedly leave the family sty in search of new adventures! Will they make a pig’s ear out of it, or will they raise the roof? It’ll take brains, bravery and curly-tails to build bridges and forge friendships with each other and those they meet along the way.

Get those trotters tapping and those snouts a-squealin’ with new catchy songs, dancing and plenty of audience participation for piglets of all ages.

The Very Hungry Caterpillar | Lichfield Garrick | 12-14 February

In a career stretching back to the mid-1960s, the late Eric Carle illustrated more than 70 books - most of which he also wrote. None were more famous or successful, though, than his 1969 story of The Very Hungry Caterpillar, a picture book which has since been translated into more than 60 languages and sold in excess of 52 million copies.

This stage version of Carle’s much-loved tale is presented alongside three other popular children’s stories by the same author.

The show features no fewer than 75 ‘lovable puppets’.

Squirrel | mac, Birmingham | 13-18 February

Squirrel loves a good acorn. But not all acorns are good. Some are downright second rate. And Squirrel is fussy like that. Under the light of the sun, between the houses and the offices, and the rivers and the factories, Squirrel has buried their favourite acorn collection. It’s easy to remember where; it’s under the third tree from the left. Or was it the right? Oh hang on a minute…

This is a story of new growth and new beginnings with a sprinkling of magic and puppetry to charm audiences of every age! Recommended for children aged 6 months to 4 years who are actively encouraged to take part in the show.

The Sooty Show | Theatre Severn, Shrewsbury on 10 March | The Swan Theatre, Worcester on 5 April | Wolverhampton Grand Theatre on 7 April

Celebrating 75 amazing years in show business, Sooty, Sweep and Soo are planning a very special birthday party and you’re all invited. However, in true Sooty style nothing goes to plan!

The party preparations are well underway: Sooty gets messy baking the birthday cake, Soo’s trying to find the perfect party dress, and Sweep’s practising his dance moves and needs some boys and girls to join in with musical statues! Sooty is planning his biggest magic trick yet making a member of the audience float in the air! Oh, and watch out for Sooty’s new water pistol. It’s turbocharged to reach right to the back of the theatre, so don’t forget your raincoat!

Madagascar The Musical | The Alexandra, Birmingham from 14-17 March | Regent Theatre, Stoke-on-Trent from 16-19 May | Wolverhampton Grand Theatre from 30 May - 2 June

Join Alex, Marty, Melman, Gloria and those hilarious, plotting penguins as they bound onto stage in the musical adventure of a lifetime. Filled with outlandish characters, adventure galore and an upbeat score, you’ll have no choice but to “move it, move it!”

The Gruffalo’s Child | Belgrade Theatre | 16-18 February

Tall Stories’ delightful adaptation of the much-loved Julia Donaldson & Axel Scheffler book finds the Gruffalo and his youngster caught up in an exciting adventure...

Despite her dad’s warning to stay away from the deep, dark wood, the Gruffalo’s Child decides it’s time to go and explore, unworried by the legend of The Big Bad Mouse...

Spot's Birthday Party | Theatre Severn, Shrewsbury from 24-25 February | The Swan Theatre Worcester from 20-22 May | Belgrade Theatre, Coventry from 31 May - 1 June

Spot is having a very special birthday party and you’re invited! With party hats, songs, dancing and lots of interactive party games, this is going to be the best birthday party ever. Join Steve the Monkey, Tom the Crocodile and Helen the Hippo to say a big Happy Birthday Spot!

Based on the beloved Eric Hill classic Happy Birthday Spot, this brand-new adaptation brings your favourite pup and his friends to life in an interactive and accessible show suitable for ages 2 plus and their grown ups.

Following the show there will be a meet and greet with Spot!

Charlie Cook's Favourite Book | Tamworth Assembly Rooms from 12-14 March | Warwick Arts Centre, Coventry from 4-7 April | Crewe Lyceum from 17-19 May

Charlie loves reading. Especially books about pirates. But his sister hates it - it’s boring! Can Charlie convince her that reading is fun?

Perhaps if she read a book about a pirate, who is reading a book about Goldilocks, who is reading a book about a knight…

Delve into a range of books with Charlie Cook, brought to life with puppetry and enchanting songs, and perhaps you will be able to help his sister discover the wonderful world inside a book…

Based on the original book Charlie Cook’s Favourite Book - written by Julia Donaldson and illustrated by Axel Scheffler.

Jurassic Musical Adventure | Theatre Severn from 24-26 March | The Halls Wolverhampton from 24-26 May

The Jurassic Musical Adventure brings the biggest and best dinosaurs in the UK with the biggest variety of dinosaurs in any show. Featuring the world's only flying Pterosaur and the world's only Mosasaur.

Using state-of-the-art visual and practical effects you will not believe your eyes as you join the adventure of a lifetime that is made for the whole family.

With singing, dancing, comedy and audience participation throughout the show.

Northern Ballet: The Tortoise And The Hare | Regent Theatre, Stoke-on-Trent on 26 February | Crewe Lyceum 24 March

Leeds-based Northern Ballet has developed a reputation for producing work which focuses not only on dancing but also on storytelling - a fact very much in evidence in its latest production for little ones.

The Tortoise And The Hare has been specially designed to provide an enjoyable and absorbing experience for young children who are sampling live ballet, music and theatre for the very first time.

Zog and the Flying Doctors | Belgrade Theatre, Coventry | 26-28 March

Zog, super keen student turned air-ambulance, still lands with a bang-crash-thump. Together with his Flying Doctor crew, Princess Pearl and Sir Gadabout, they tend to a sunburnt mermaid, a unicorn with one too many horns and a lion with the flu. However, Pearl’s uncle, the King, has other ideas about whether princesses should be doctors, and she’s soon locked up in the castle back in a crown and a silly frilly dress!

With a bit of help from some friends and half a pound of cheese, can Pearl make her uncle better and prove princesses can be doctors too?

Based on Julia Donaldson and Axel Scheffler’s bestselling sequel, Freckle Productions are back, with music and lyrics by Joe Stilgoe, for this truly modern take on the classic fairy tale.

There's a Monster in Your Show | Birmingham Town Hall from 6-7 April | The Swan Theatre, Worcester from 30 April - 1 May | Tamworth Assembly Rooms from 3-11 May

Children’s author Tom Fletcher’s interactive adventures here leap from page to stage, as his critically acclaimed Who’s In Your Book? series makes its debut as a brand-new musical.

The show sees Little Monster being joined by friends Dragon, Alien and Unicorn for 50 minutes of comedy, chaos and high-energy fun, during which the pals will be learning all about the joy of friendship and books.

Peppa Pig's Fun Day Out | Wolverhampton Grand Theatre from 25-26 May | The Alexandra, Birmingham from 31 July - 1 August | Belgrade Theatre, Coventry from 27-29 August | Regent Theatre, Stoke-on-Trent from 18-19 September | Palace Theatre, Redditch from 25-26 September | Malvern Theatres from 16-17 October

Join Peppa, along with her family and friends as they go to the zoo and also the beach for a special party- it’s going to be an exciting and fun packed day.

Prepare to sing and dance with colourful scarecrows, feed the penguins, build big sandcastles, and even swim in the sea!

Packed full of songs, dance and muddy puddles, Peppa’s Fun Day Out guarantees giggles and snorts for all Peppa fans, and a perfect introduction to theatre.

The Tiger Who Came To Tea | Lichfield Garrick | 28-30 May | The Albany Theatre, Coventry from 31 May - 2 June

A tea-guzzling tiger drops in on Sophie and her mum just as they’re settling down for an afternoon cuppa...

Adapted by David Wood from the late Judith Kerr’s 1968 book, this Olivier Award-nominated 55-minute show comes without an interval, features singalong songs aplenty and boasts oodles of magic - not to mention a big stripy tiger, of course!

101 Dalmatians: The Musical | The Alexandra, Birmingham from 2-6 July | Wolverhampton Grand Theatre from 20-24 August

If you’re dotty about dogs, you’d be barking mad not to catch this new show when it stops off in the Midlands during the summer.

Telling the story of fashionista Cruella de Vil’s attempts to swipe all the Dalmatian puppies in town to create her fabulous new fur coat, the production visits the region direct from the London West End.