Show and Stay’s top five family shows to see this Half Term
Published on Tuesday 27th September, 2.40pm, Written by Jonathan Dudley
Half Term is just around the corner and now that summer’s over it might seem like all the fun things to do with the kids have vanished along with the sunshine, but there’s plenty to do if you just know where to look.
London’s West End, for example, is packed with family-friendly shows all year round and the hotly anticipated Matilda The Musical will open at the Cambridge Theatre just in time for Half Term. A family ticket and hotel package to see one of London’s world-famous musicals is a great way to enjoy some quality time with the family during the school holidays.
With so many shows to choose from, picking the right one for you and yours can be a little challenging, so we’ve picked out our five favourite family-friendly London shows to narrow things down for you a bit.
5) The Lion King
The Lion King has been running at The Lyceum Theatre for 11 years, but the show remains as fresh and exciting as it was on opening night.
The story will be familiar to most; a young lion named Simba is betrayed by his machiavellian uncle and ousted from the kingdom he should rightfully inherit. Young Simba runs away and lives a life of bug-eating, jungle-based leisure with a wisecracking meerkat named Timon and a flatulent warthog named Pumbaa, but when a face from his past tries to eat his new friends, Simba is reminded of who he really is. Basically, it’s Hamlet with lions.
All of your favourite songs from the film version are there and the savannah animals are brought to life beautifully with some of London’s most impressive costumes.
A Half Term theatre break to see The Lion King costs from £510 for a family of four*.
4) Shrek The Musical
Everyone’s favourite foul-tempered ogre has made the leap from screen to stage and he’s taking the West End by storm.
Playing at the Theatre Royal Drury Lane, Shrek The Musical has everything a great fairytale should have. There’s a hero, a loyal chum who doubles up as a faithful steed and a princess in need of rescue. Songs you recognise from the film are complimented by brand-new ones written especially for the stage production and all of the characters you know and love are there, even Donkey.
The show’s all-star cast effortlessly brings the magical world of Duloc to life, especially Nigel Harman’s side-splitting Lord Farquaad.
A Half Term break to see Shrek The Musical costs from £496**
3) The Wizard of Oz
Andrew Lloyd Webber’s lavish production of The Wizard of Oz is a technicolour visual feast perfect for family theatre breaks.
The show is currently playing at the London Palladium and is making superb use of the iconic venue. Elements of the classic film adaptation are seamlessly blended with new songs and Dorothy is played by Danielle Hope, the jaw-droppingly talented winner of BBC’s Over The Rainbow.
With dazzling sets and beautiful costumes, The Wizard of Oz is a great choice for families with younger children so why not gather up the family, click your heels together, and wish yourself to Theatreland?
A Half Term break to see The Wizard of Oz costs from £476***
2) War Horse
For a reason that nobody at Show and Stay can quite fathom, not everybody loves musicals. However, not being a massive fan of showtunes and glitter doesn’t mean that there’s nothing in the West End for you.
War Horse is among London’s most popular plays, but it’s surprisingly accessible to a family audience. The show is an adaptation of a 1982 children’s novel by Michael Morpurgo boasting an exceptionally moving but blessedly easy-to-follow story, making it a great introduction to ‘serious’ drama.
The story sees the beloved horse of a young man named Albert sold off and shipped to serve in the cavalry during World War I. Unable to stand being apart, Albert embarks on an incredible journey to bring his friend home.
War Horse’s incredible puppetry and world-class performers brought it to the attention of a rather famous theatre-fan: Queen Elizabeth II was seen slipping quietly into the audience in late 2009.
A Half Term break to see War Horse costs from £450****
1) Matilda The Musical
Once in a while an extra-special show opens in London, and Matilda The Musical at the Cambridge Theatre is this year’s must-see.
The show is based on the well-known Roald Dahl novel and features all the dark comedy, clever storytelling and silliness that you’d expect of this beloved British writer. The story follows a young girl named Matilda who uses her newly-discovered telekinetic powers to hold her own in a world full of the most cruel, self-absorbed and mentally unstable grown-ups you’ve ever seen.
With music by Tim Minchin and a cast including Bertie Carvell and Paul Kaye, Matilda The Musical is as much of a treat for the adults as the kids.
A Half Term break to see Matilda costs from £428*****
So there we are, five shows that you and your family could enjoy together this half term. If you book with Show and Stay, not only will be be getting the best price possible, but you’ll also have the option to make the most of your time in London by adding a pre-theatre meal of visit to a top London attraction to your package.
*Price based on a package including four top tickets to see the The Lion King at the Lyceum Theatre, an overnight stay at the Holiday Inn Express Limehouse on 26 October 2011 and a continental breakfast in the morning.
**Price based on a package including four top tickets to see Shrek The Musical at the Theatre Royal Drury Lane, an overnight stay at the Holiday Inn Express London Royal Docks on 28 October 2011 and a continental breakfast in the morning.
*** Price based on a package including four top tickets to see The Wizard of Oz at The London Palladium, an overnight stay at the Holiday Inn Express London Royal Docks on 28 October 2011 and a continental breakfast in the morning.
****Price based on a package including four top tickets to see War Horse at The New London Theatre, an overnight stay at the Holiday Inn Express London Royal Docks on 26 October 2011 and a continental breakfast in the morning.
*****Price based on a package including four top tickets to see Matilda The Musical at The Cambridge Theatre, an overnight stay at the Holiday Inn Express London Royal Docks on 28 October 2011 and a continental breakfast in the morning.
