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 2024.
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The Singing Mermaid
In this much loved adaptation of Julia Donaldson and Lydia Monk’s Story, we learn that glitter is not always gold. When the Singing Mermaid is tempted away to join a travelling circus with promises of fame and fortune, her friends smell a rat. Indeed their fears are realised when the mermaid finds herself enslaved and exploited by the no good circus master. But how will she escaped with no legs to carry her? And who will help her?
With beautiful puppets mastered by a cast of three and stand out songs and music by Barb Jungr ( The Pixie and The Pudding, We’re going on a bear hunt).
- Suitable for Ages – 3+
- Buggy Parking – Yes
- Booster Seats? – Yes, charged at £3 each
- Babes in Arms? – Yes up to 18 months
The Gruffalo
Dates: 17th July – 8th September
The most iconic of all Julia Donaldson Stories, the big bad Gruffalo will be stomping into London’s West End for a seven week stint this summer to celebrate the classic character’s 25th Birthday.
Presented by Tall Stories, children will love journeying through the deep dark wood with little mouse dodging unwanted attention from the owl, fox and snake and outwitting the mighty Gruffalo.
- Suitable for ages: 3-8 yrs
- Buggy Park – Yes
- Booster Seats Available – Yes
- Babes in Arms? – TBC
The Gruffalo, The Witch and The Warthog
Dates: 27th-29th July
A cast of five including Julia Donaldson herself and her guitar playing Husband bring six classic tales to life through music and puppetry. A unique opportunity – this show sold out at the Edinburgh Fringe and features Room on the Broom, The Gruffalo, Superworm, The Magic Paintbrush, The Ugly Five and The Cook and The King.
Don’t forget your chance to meet Julia Donaldson who will be signing books after the show.
- Suitable for ages: 3-11
- Buggy Park – Yes
- Booster Seats – No
- Babes in arms? – Yes up to 18 months
Zog and The Flying Doctors
Join everyone’s favourite dragon as he swoops into the limelight in this enchanting sequel to the smash-hit Zog Live! With his trusty companions, Princess Pearl and Sir Gandabout, Zog takes to the skies to save a sun-kissed mermaid and a feverish lion. But when Pearl is trapped by her grumpy uncle who thinks princesses should only wear frilly dresses and sew, Zog finds himself on a mission to save his friend.
This Summer Zog and friends take up a sizzling month long residency at London’s Cadogan Hall – a Summer holiday treat for all the family.
- Suitable for Ages – 3+
- Buggy Parking? – Yes
- Booster Seats? – Yes
- Babes In Arms – Yes, Up to 18 months
The Gruffalo
Dates: 26th – 31st October
He’s Big , he’s bad ..but is he any match for the clever little mouse? If you missed The Gruffalo’s Summer stint in the West End, here is another chance to join the fun.
- Suitable for ages: 3+
- Buggy Parking? – Yes
- Booster Seats? – Yes
- Babes in Arms? – Yes
The Baddies
Dates: 29th October – 3rd November 2024
Fresh from their world debut at Edinburgh’s Lyceum Theatre , ‘The Baddies ‘ (a Freckle Production original) are set to take London by storm. This is one show to mark in your diaries and get booked asap.
- Suitable for ages – 3+
- Buggy Parking? – Can be left in Foyer at Own risk
- Booster seats? – Limited
- Babes in Arms? – Yes, Up to 18 months
The Gruffalo’s Child
Where: Arts Depot
Tube: West Finchley
Dates: 3rd Dec – 5th Jan 2025
Joining the line up of Julia Donaldson Theatre shows this festive season is Tall Stories’ ‘The Gruffalo’s Child’. Snuggle up and follow the snowy tracks of the young Gruffalo in tentative pursuit of the infamous big bad mouse. All is not as it seems in this charming sequel to Julia Donaldson’s best-selling picture book. An hour-long feast of storytelling.
- 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: 21st Nov – 5th Jan 2025
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 a whole host of colourful characters who need his help. The ultimate ‘Good Samaritan’ story about helping others in need is bought to life in this charming adaptation with catchy songs and clever puppetry. A lovely way to indulge Julia Donaldson fans this Christmas 2023.
- Suitable for ages – 3+
- Buggy Parking available? limited, collapsable buggies only
- Booster Seats? TBC
- Babes in arms? Yes under 12 months
Room on The Broom
Dates: 22nd Nov – 5th Jan 2025
Iggety Ziggety Zaggety Zoom!
Get ready for a ride of a lifetime with the hapless Witch and her friends as they dodge a fearsome dragon and prove that friendship and kindness conquers all. A truly exhilerating adventure not to be missed!
- Suitable for ages 3+
- Buggy Parking Available: Yes
- Booster Seats: Yes
Stick Man Live
Bloomsbury Theatre
Tube: Euston Square
4th Dec – 5th Jan 2025
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 his morning jog spirals into a series of misadventures which 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. A perfect hour-long adventure that will have its young audience up on its feet.
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? TBC
- Booster Seats? TBC
- Babes In Arms? Up to 18 months
Charlie Cook’s Favourite Book
Dates: 5th Dec – 5th Jan 2025
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+
- Buggy Park – Yes but Buggies must be collapsed
- Booster Seats Available – TBC
- Babes in arms – Free under 12 months
