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Family Shows To Watch in Half Term

Written by Amelia Bascombe in collaboration with London Box Office.

The school holidays can be tricky to plan for everyone, but if you’re looking for a fun London day out, I’ve got you covered. Below are some of the best shows the West End has to offer right now and why they are suitable for all ages. Whether you’re looking for some Disney magic, girl power, or truly side-splitting laughs, this piece can point you in the right direction.

Disney's The Lion King

First things first, Disney is always a good idea. And if you base anything on statistics, surely the seventh longest-running show in London of all time, has to be at least a little bit good. Disney’s The Lion King has been dazzling audiences at the Lyceum Theatre since October 1999, which actually makes it older than me! This is the show that all kids will love, with animals coming through the audience and hearing all those iconic songs live on stage. This is also a great way to introduce children to the theatre, as it’s a story they know and can identify easily. It’s best to snap up these tickets quickly, as they often sell fast over the school holidays. Furthermore, if you’ve seen The Lion King, and loved it, be sure to look out for Disney’s Hercules coming to Theatre Royal Drury Lane this summer!

Following the release of the smash hit 2017 musical film directed by Michael Gracey, The Greatest Showman quickly became one of the most marketable pieces of media. As fans, we have long awaited the release of practically anything else related to the film and its iconic soundtrack. While we still have the Broadway musical version to look forward to, right now in London is an experience that intertwines circus with theatre, creating a production inspired by the film. Come Alive – The Greatest Showman Circus Spectacular includes all the best songs, such as This Is Me, Rewrite the Stars, and The Greatest Show, and features incredible cirque and musical theatre performers. Taking place at Empress Museum in Earl’s Court, this means you and your family can escape the hullabaloo of central London and enjoy a more peaceful commute to the theatre.

Come Alive - The Greatest Showman Circus Spectacular.

For over 13 years, Matilda the Musical has been wowing audiences at the Cambridge Theatre and cementing itself as a staple production in the West End. From the mind of Roald Dahl and with original songs by Tim Minchin, Matilda explores the life of an incredibly imaginative little girl, who must stand up for what is right and discover her own powers in the process. With a mixed cast of both children and adults, this show is jam-packed with talent and charisma, with songs you’ll be singing the whole way home. The Cambridge Theatre is close to Covent Garden and Oxford Street, with loads of shops and restaurants nearby if you want to make a day of it.

Another movie musical for the whole family to enjoy is Back To The Future. Playing at the Adelphi Theatre on The Strand, this production of the well-loved film franchise is bursting with amazing special effects, brilliant vocals, and one super-fast DeLorean. 
Back to the Future is hilariously funny and caters to all the family with a heartfelt story at its core. In addition, American actor Caden Brauch, who has just finished performing in the US tour of Back to the Future, will join the London company as Marty McFly, from 10 February 2025, so don’t miss your chance to see his London debut!

Back To The Future The Musical

Celebrating its 19th year on the West End, there has never been a better time to see Wicked. Following the release of the first film adaptation, with part two to follow this November, Wicked is everywhere you go at the moment, and solidifying why it has been running for so long. Telling the untold story of the Witches of Oz, Wicked is based on the Gregory Maguire novel which delves into how the witches met and became who they are in the Wizard of Oz. If you managed to catch the film and loved it, there’s no reason why you won’t adore the show. I must admit, there’s nothing quite like hearing Defying Gravity sung live for the first time.

Andrew Lloyd Webber has created some masterpieces in his time, and perhaps the most fun and energetic of those, is the newly revived Starlight Express. First premiering in 1984, it tells the story of a young but obsolete steam engine, Rusty, who races in a championship against modern locomotives of diesel and electric engines in the hope of impressing a first-class observation car, Pearl. The show takes place at the Troubadour Wembley Park Theatre which is situated just 5 minutes from Wembley Park station. It’s always nice to explore a new part of London if you haven’t been here before, and there’s plenty to do nearby. The theatre has been transformed into the Starlight Auditorium, so that the actors, who perform the whole show on roller skates, can skate around audiences. This immersive experience is unlike any other on the West End right now and makes for a magical day out with the family.

Starlight Express

Hailed as one of the greatest shows of this generation, Six the Musical continues to take the world by storm every single day. With current productions running in London, New York, Australia, Japan and a UK and international tour, it’s no secret that Six has the formula to bring in global success for years to come. Written as a pop concert, we meet Henry VIII’s six ex-wives, as they try to determine who suffered the most from their shared husband but ultimately seek to reclaim their individual identities and rewrite their stories. Hysterical, gripping and emotional all within an hour and 15 minutes, this piece may be good for those with a shorter attention span who struggle with the usual 2-and-a-half-hour format. The premise to the show is absolute genius and a great way to introduce little ones to an important part of history.

Finally, a must see before it closes its doors in April, is Mrs Doubtfire the Musical. Based on the beloved film starring Robin Williams, this show is fun for everyone and delivers a sincere narrative about being with your family. Featuring all the amusing moments you love from the movie, plus tremendous new songs and dance numbers. Book now, dears, before it’s too late!

You can find tickets for all the shows listed by visiting London Box Office's website - https://www.londonboxoffice.co.uk/

Mrs Doubtfire The Musical.

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