If you have a toddler the chances are you have a Julia Donaldson classic on your bookshelf. The Children’s Laureate’s percussive prose coupled with Axel Scheffler’s instantly recognisable characters ooze charm and provide rich fodder for theatre adaptation. If you are looking to bring your child’s favourite characters to life, London currently has quite the selection of Julia Donaldson theatre shows. Here are the best Julia Donaldson theatre shows London in 2023 and beyond.
Room on the Broom (Now Closed)
Where: The Rose Theatre, Kingston
Dates: 14th -19th February 2023 (Half Term)
Iggety Ziggety Zaggety Zoom !
Get prepared to be swept into a frenzy by Tall stories’ fun-filled adaptation of ‘Room on the Broom’. Following its hugely successful run at The Lyric Theatre in London’s West End in 2022, box office hit ROTB returns to London’s Rose Theatre for a limited run this half term as part of its UK tour. Join the lovably hopeless witch and a whole host of colourful characters on this magical journey. Directed by Olivia Jacobs and with songs joyfully composed by Jon Fiber and Andy Shaw, this show is the perfect intro to the magic of theatre. This perfect hour-long adventure makes for a great half term treat. Click Here for The Daily Mumtra Review.
- Suitable for ages – 3+
- Buggy Park available – can be left in foyer at own risk
- Booster Seats – limited, first come first served
- Babes in arms? – Yes, up to 18 months
The Flying Bath (Now Closed)
Where: Little Angel Studios
Tube: Highbury and Islington
Dates: 15th March -23rd April
‘When everyone has left the house in the morning, the bath toys spring into action and head off on exciting adventures in their magical flying bath!‘
Little Angel Theatre Sprinkle their magic once again in this stage adaptation of Julia Donaldson’s lesser known tale ‘The Flying Bath’. Expect lots of puppetry and bath bubbles galore.
- Suitable for ages – 2-5 yrs
- Buggy Park Available – Yes
- Booster Seats – Yes
- Babes in arms – under 12 months
The Singing Mermaid (Now closed)
Where: The Polka Theatre
Tube: Wimbledon
Dates: 31st March -8th April 2023
South West London’s audiences will be delighted at the chance to catch a glimpse of ‘The Singing Mermaid’ following her stint earlier in the year at North London’s Arts Depot. The Polka Theatre, Wimbledon is a joy and this is one show not to be missed.
- Suitable for ages – 3-8yrs
- Buggy Park Available – Yes
- Booster Seats – Not available
- Babes in Arms? £1 charge for babies up to 12 months
The Snail on the Whale (Now Closed)
Where: Arts Depot
Tube: West Finchley
Dates: 27th May -1st June 2023 (May half Term)
“The Sea is deep and the world is wide!
How I long to Sail!”
Even the tiniest creature can make the world of difference. Re-imagined by a young girl and her seafaring father, we travel with snail on the adventure of a lifetime, exploring the world and defying limitations. all on the tail of a humpback whale.
Bought to life through story telling and song, Julia Donaldson’s heartwarming tale of finding your inner hero is a compelling theatrical treat.
- Suitable for ages – 4+
- Buggy Park Available – Yes
- Booster Seats – Inflatable ones can be bought for £3
- Babes in Arms? Yes, Up to 18 months
The Everywhere Bear (Now Closed)
Where: The Polka Theatre
Tube: Wimbledon
Dates: 27th May – 13th August
Class One love their Bear and taking turns to take him home with them. But what happens to the Everywhere Bear on that fateful day when he falls out of a backpack and down a drain that leads to the ocean? Will he ever make it back to the school?
A collaboration between the Polka Theatre and Little Angel Theatre that will delight toddlers and young children.
- Suitable for ages: 3-7 yrs old
- Buggy Park available? – Yes
- Booster Seats? – No
- Babes in arms under 12 months – £1
The Gruffalo (Now Closed)
Where: Southbank
Tube: Waterloo
Dates: 1st -4th June
This half term Tall Stories invites us to step into the shady shadows of the deep dark wood as we join mouse in tentative pursuit of the the legendary Gruffalo. All is not as it seems as the little mouse takes on the likes of the cunning fox, eccentric old owl and high-spirited snake in this daring adventure. But there’s no such thing as a Gruffalo? ….Is there? We are set to find out in this magical musical adaptation of the classic picture book by Julia Donaldson and Axel Scheffler.
A much-loved classic that simply can’t be missed!
- Suitable for ages – 3+
- Buggy Park available – Yes
- Booster seats? – Yes
- Babes in arms? – Up to 12 months
Zog (Now Closed)
Where: The Rose Theatre, Kingston
Dates: 12-16th July 2023
Flying in from the North, Zog will be taking a short residency in Kingston this summer. Another chance to watch Madam Dragon whip her class of dragons into shape. Click Here for The Daily Mumtra’s Review
- Suitable for ages – 3+
- Buggy Parking available – can be left in foyer at own risk
- Booster Seats – Limited, first come first served
- Babes in Arms? Yes, up to 18 months
The Smeds and The Smoos (Now Closed)
Where: Lyric Theatre, Shaftesbury Avenue
Tube: Shaftesbury Avenue
Dates: 20th July – 3rd September
Following the huge popularity of this tale following the hit BBC Christmas TV adaptation, Tall stories have added a further London venue to their tour of ‘The Smeds and the Smoos’. And its a big one…. The show is coming to the West End this Summer! A fabulous opportunity for little ones to experience the wonderful setting of The Lyric Theatre, Shaftesbury Avenue. Book early this will be a sell out.
Read Here for the full review.
- Suitable for ages – 3+
- Buggy park Available- Yes
- Booster Seats – yes, available
- Babes in arms – up to 18 months
Tales From Acorn Wood (Now Closed)
Where: Lyric Theatre
Tube: Hammersmith
Dates: 8-20th August 2023
Poor old Fox has lost his socks!
Join Fox, Rabbit, Pig and Bear in this sweet adaptation of the popular lift the flap books. See Axel Scheffler’s furry friends bought to life with human sized puppets and toe tapping song, bought to you by the creative team behind ‘Dear Zoo’ and ‘Dear Santa’.
- Suitable for ages – 1-6 yrs
- Buggy Park Available? – Yes
- Booster seats available? – Yes
- Babes in arms? – Up to 18 months
Stick Man Live
Leicester Square Theatre
Tube: Leicester Square
21st October – 2nd March 2024
Freckle Productions’ delightful adaptation of Julia Donaldson and Axel Scheffler’s Stick Man makes a return to London’s west end this autumn.
What better way to start the slow build in anticipation to Christmas than with a festive theatrical treat? Journey with Stick man on this tale of triumph over adversity as we will him home after a series of misadventures threaten Christmas at the Family Tree.
Complete with live music, puppetry and dance, this award-winning production, from the team behind Zog, Zog and the Flying Doctors, Tiddler and other Terrific Tales, and Tabby McTat is set to delight family audiences.
What could be better than the gift of Julia Donaldson this Christmas 2023? Click here for a family review.
- Suitable for ages- 3+
- Buggy Parking available? Yes although limited and down a flight of stairs
- Booster Seats? Yes
- Babes In Arms? Up to 18 months
Charlie Cook’s Favourite Book
Where: Little Angel studios
Tube: Highbury and Islington
Dates: 18th Nov – 4th Feb 2024
Charlie Cook loves to read but his sister does not. Can he persuade her with a book about a pirate who is reading a book about Goldilocks who is reading a book about a knight..and so on?
A celebration of the joy of reading and the power of imagination. Packed with puppetry and song, this show will transport children to a world of endless possibilities.
- Suitable for ages – 3-8yrs
- Buggy Park – Yes
- Booster Seats Available – Yes
- Babes in arms – Free under 12 months
The Gruffalo’s Child
Where: Garrick Theatre
Tube: Leicester Square
Dates: 1st Dec – 7th Jan
Joining the line up of Julia Donaldson Theatre shows this Christmas is Tall Stories’ ‘The Gruffalo’s Child’. Snuggle up in this West End Theatre and follow the snowy adventures of the young Gruffalo in tentative pursuit of the infamous mouse. All is not as it seems in this charming sequel to Julia Donaldson’s bestselling classic.
- Suitable for ages – 3+
- Buggy Park – Yes
- Booster Seats Available – Yes
- Babes in Arms – Yes
The Smartest Giant in town
Where: St. Martins Theatre
Tube: Leicester Square
Dates: 2nd Dec – 7th Jan
When it comes to heart-warming, feel good Children’s theatre, Little Angel Theatre are a ‘dab hand’.
The Smartest Giant in town sees George the woeful scruffiest Giant endeavouring to smarten himself up when a new shop with giant-sized clothes opens up in town. Feeling dapper in his new look – smart trousers, smart shirt, shiny shoes and stripy tie, George quickly realises what is really important to him when he encounters some animals who need his help. The ultimate ‘Good Samaritan’ story about helping others in need is bought to life in this charming adaptation. A lovely way to indulge Julia Donaldson fans this Christmas 2023. Click Here for The Daily Mumtra Review
- Suitable for ages – 3+
- Buggy Parking available? limited, collapsable buggies only
- Booster Seats? TBC
- Babes in arms? Yes under 12 months
