We're frequently asked about shows suitable for children or family groups. Depending on the children's age and experience, many West End shows may be of broad interest. Kids from about 8 years up will enjoy HARRY POTTER,  MATILDA and THE LION KING, while young teenagers will like most of the musicals, and such plays as THE MOUSETRAP and THE WOMAN IN BLACK.

Of course, the more sophisticated or theatre-experienced the youngsters are, the more adventurous you can be. We've taken pre-teens to Shakespeare with great success. If you have any specific needs, or questions about specific shows, ask us.

CHILDREN'S THEATRES
London and its suburbs have a number of theatres that cater especially to children. Here are links to some of the best:

ARTS DEPOT	POLKA THEATRE FOR CHILDREN
HALF MOON YOUNG PEOPLE'S THEATRE	PUPPET THEATRE BARGE
LITTLE ANGEL THEATRE	UNICORN THEATRE FOR CHILDREN
LYRIC HAMMERSMITH THEATRE

PANTOS AND HOLIDAY SHOWS

'Tis the season for family entertainments, from Pantos through The Nutcracker and other kid-friendly shows, and even a few strictly for the adults. Check with the theatres for performance times, which are likely to include extra matinees and even morning shows, and also for guidance on age appropriateness.

ALADDIN - Wimbledon Theatre. December 8 - January 6
ALADDIN - Hackney Empire. November 24 - January 6
ALADDIN - Prince Edward Theatre. Ongoing
ALADDIN ON ICE - Alexandra Palace. December 7-10
AWFUL AUNTIE - Bloomsbury Theatre. December 12 - January 6

BABY SHOW - Unicorn Theatre. Ongoing
THE BAND - Haymarket Theatre. December 1 - January 12
BEAUTY AND THE BEAST - Millfield Arts Centre. November 29 - January 6
THE BOX OF DELIGHTS  - Wiltons Music Hall.  November 30 - January 5
BRAT KIDS CARNIVAL - Leicester Square. To December 30

CAN'T WAIT FOR CHRISTMAS - Orange Tree Theatre December 14 - January 5
A CHRISTMAS CAROL - Old Vic Theatre. November 24 - January 19
A CHRISTMAS CAROL - Chickenshed Theatre. November 21 - January 5
A CHRISTMAS CAROL WITH SIMON CALLOW - Arts Theatre. December 8 - January 12
CHRISTMAS TALES - Chickenshed Theatre. December 5-30

CHRISTMAS TALES  - Dugdale Centre. December 6-30
CINDERELLA - Jack Studio. December 12 - January 5
CINDERELLA AND THE BEANSTALK - Theatre  502. December 5-31
CIRCUS 1903- Royal Festival Hall. December 19 - January 5
THE COMEDY ABOUT A BANK ROBBERY - Criterion Theatre. Ongoing
DALEKTICON - Park Theatre. December 6-29

DICK WHITTINGTON - Lyric Hammersmith. To January 6
DISNEY ON ICE - O2 Arena. December 26 - January 6
DON QUIXOTE - Garrick Theatre. Ongoing
FATHER CHRISTMAS - Lyric Hammersmith. To December 30
FINDING SANTA -  Little Angel Theatre. To December 24

THE GINGERBREAD MAN - Jacksons Lane. December 1-24
GRIMM TALES - Unicorn Theatre. To January 6
THE GRUFFALO'S CHILD - Arts Depot. December 4 - January 6
HANSEL AND GRETEL - Royal Opera House. December 11-29
HANSEL AND GRETEL - Rose Theatre Kingston. December 2 - January 6

HARRY POTTER - Palace Theatre. Ongoing
HORRIBLE CHRISTMAS - Alexandra Palace. December 13-30
HUDDLE - Unicorn Theatre. To January 6
IN THE WINTER WOOD - polka Theatre. November 29 - February 17
JACK AND THE BEANSTALK - Queens Theatre Hornchurch. November 28 - January 6

THE LION KING - Lyceum Theatre. Ongoing
LITTLE WOMEN - The Space. November 27 - December 15
MATILDA - Cambridge Theatre. Ongoing
THE MESSIAH - The Other Palace. December 3 - January 5
MR RABBIT MEETS BRER SANTA - Puppet Theatre Barge. December 1-31

NATIVITY! - Eventim Apollo. December 19-31
THE NIGHT BEFORE CHRISTMAS - Southwark Playhouse.November 28 - December 29
THE NUTCRACKER - Royal Opera House. December 3 - January 15
THE NUTCRACKER - Coliseum.December 13-30
THE NUTCRACKER - Royal Albert Hall. December 28-31

OPERATION OUCH - Apollo Theatre. December 6 - January 6
PEPPA PIG'S ADVENTURE -  Haymarket Theatre. December 8 - January 6
PETER PAN - Richmond Theatre. December 8 - January 6
PETER PAN - Park Theatre. December 5 - January 5
PETER PAN ON ICE - Hyde Park. November 22 - January 6

PINOCCHIO - Albany Theatre. December 2-29
PLAID TIDINGS  - Bridgehouse Theatre. November 26 - December 23
THE PLAY THAT GOES WRONG - Duchess Theatre. Ongoing
RAPUNZEL - Hoxton Hall. December 13-30
ROBINSON CRUSOE - Greenwich Theatre. November 28 - January 13

ROOM ON THE BROOM - Lyric Theatre. November 23 - January 13
RUMPLESTILTSKIN - Queen Elizabeth Hall. December 13 - January 6
SCHOOL OF ROCK -  Gillian Lynne Theatre. Ongoing
THE SELFISH GIANT - Clapham Omnibus. November 22 - December 24
SHOWSTOPPERS CHRISTMAS KIDS' SHOW - Leicester Square. Deceember 2-30
SLAVA'S SNOW SHOW - Royal Festival Hall. December 18 - January 4

SLEEPING BEAUTY - Theatre Royal Stratford East. December 1 - January 12
THE SNOWMAN - Peacock Theatre. November 22 - January 6
SNOW QUEEN - Bush Theatre. December 3-8
SNOW WHITE - Palladium. December 8 - January 13
STICKMAN - Leicester Square Theatre. To January 6

STRIKING TWELVE - Union Theatre. November 28 - December 23
SWAN LAKE - Sadlers Wells Theatre. December 4 - January 27
THRILLER - Lyric Theatre. Ongoing
WAR HORSE - National Theatre. November 8 - January 5
WICKED - Apollo Victoria Theatre. Ongoing
THE WIND IN THE WILLOWS -  Polka Theatre. To February 17


And for adults a little more naughty than nice:

A LAD IN SOHO - Sanctum. December 14-23
BRIEFS - CLOSE ENCOUNTERS - Leicester Square. To January 3
BURKE AND HARE - Jermyn Street Theatre. November 28 - December 21
THE GUILTY FEMINIST CHRISTMAS PARTY - Lyric Hammersmith. December 3-17
JACK OFF THE BEANSTALK - Studio 88. December 1 - January 6
MAGIC MIKE LIVE - Hippodrome. Ongoing
MOTHER GOOSE CRACKS ONE OUT - Above The Stag Theatre. November 27 - January 12

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