Mon. Dec 23rd, 2024
(c) Alex Brenner. No use without credit.

The Paddington Bear Experience

London County Hall

Created by The Path Entertainment Group in collaboration with The Copyrights Group (a STUDIOCANAL company) and Lionsgate, Copyrights’ agent for experiences, this unique and fun-filled multi-sensory interactive adventure featuring Paddington and the beloved Brown family, will span more than 26,000 square feet of London County Hall on the Southbank. Visitors are invited to step into Paddington’s world and embark on an exciting adventure through some of the most memorable locations from the Paddington stories – from the hustle and bustle of Paddington Station to the Browns’ charming house at No. 32 Windsor Gardens.  Once inside the famous tree adorned hallway, the Brown family will whisk guests into a whirlwind of multi-sensory activities as they help Paddington and his family prepare for The Marmalade Day Festival!  With numerous themed rooms to explore, interactive games, character interactions, and lots of surprises along the way, the adventure will culminate in a very special Windsor Garden Street party.

Little Angel Theatre:

Islington, London
As well as the brilliant productions below, there are some great Halloween and show-themed puppet workshops for all the family as well as Halloween holiday clubs. For further details see here,

21 September – 17 November, ages 6+, Little Angel Studio

Join super sleuth Danyah Miller to unravel ‘The Mystery of Little Angel Theatre’. From the award-winning creators of ‘I Believe in Unicorns’ comes this new brain-teasing interactive adventure. Combining live board game elements with a thrilling evidence hunt, you’ll become a detective faced with intriguing suspects, curious objects and a detailed theatre map. Can we crack this case together?

Navigate through secrets and surprises, watch camera footage and uncover hidden clues, every riddle bringing us closer to the truth. Expect mischief, intrigue, spontaneous stories and of course a sprinkle of magic. Get involved… get it solved!

03 Oct–16 Nov 2024, At Little Angel Theatre

A beloved family favourite based on the book by Anna Kemp and Sara Ogilvie.  Biff is not like ordinary dogs. He likes moonlight. And music. And walking on his tiptoes. You see, Biff doesn’t think he’s a dog, Biff thinks he’s a ballerina… The sublime and the ridiculous combine in this hilarious story of a small dog with a big personality and even bigger dreams, brought to life using beautiful puppets, well-loved ballet music and dazzling theatrical comedy.

London County Hall

Witness for the Prosecution
For families with slightly older children (10+), Agatha Christie’s Witness for the Prosecution makes for a perfect family treat.  Step inside the magnificent surroundings of London County Hall and experience the intensity and drama of Agatha Christie’s gripping story of justice, passion and betrayal in a unique courtroom setting.  Leonard Vole is accused of murdering a widow to inherit her wealth. The stakes are high – will Leonard survive the shocking witness testimony, will he be able to convince the jury, and you of his innocence and escape the hangman’s noose? Now in its 7th year (and more popular than ever – selling out every night!) the audience are thrillingly placed in the thick of the action in a spectacular courtroom as Christie’s enthralling tale of justice, passion and betrayal unfolds around them.

Cambridge Theatre

Matilda The Musical   

Now in its 13th year in London and continuing to play to packed houses in the West End, the Royal Shakespeare Company’s Matilda The Musical has been seen by 11 million people across more than 90 cities worldwide. Written by Dennis Kelly, with music and lyrics by Tim Minchin and developed and directed by Matthew Warchus, the production is designed by Rob Howell, with choreography by Peter Darling, orchestrations, additional music and musical supervision by Christopher Nightingale, lighting by Hugh Vanstone, sound by Simon Baker and special effects and illusions by Paul Kieve.

Southbank Centre

Duck Pond

Two weeks only 19-30 December 2024.

www.duckpond.live

Trailblazing Australian circus company Circa (Humans, Danger Club, Depart) bring their extraordinary reimagining of Swan Lake to London this Christmas. Created by circus visionary Yaron Lifschitz and the Circa Ensemble expect stunts, sequins, flippers and feathers! Duck Pond is a daring extravaganza that blends spectacular circus and world-class storytelling for audiences of all ages. Feathers will fly in this exhilarating tale of beautiful swans, a hapless prince, and a cheeky flipper-wearing duck army. It brims with eye-popping stunts, jaw-dropping aerials and rib-tickling comedy. Circa is one of the world’s leading performance companies.  Founded in 2004 Brisbane, Australia, they have extensively toured the world performing in more than 45 countries to nearly 2 million people. It continues to push the boundaries of the art form, blurring the lines between movement, dance, theatre and circus.

Lyric Theatre

Room on the Broom

22 November 2024 – 5 January 2025

Jump on board the broom with the witch and her cat in Tall Stories’ fun-filled adaptation of Room on the Broom, the best-selling picture book by Julia Donaldson and Axel Scheffler. The witch and her cat are travelling on their broomstick when they pick up some hitch-hikers – a friendly dog, a beautiful green bird and a frantic frog. But this broomstick’s not meant for five and – CRACK – it snaps in two… just as the hungry dragon appears! Will there ever be room on the broom for everyone? Find out in the magical Olivier Award-nominated show for everyone aged 3 and up.

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By Penny McCarthy

Penny McCarthy is a seasoned entrepreneur and co-founder of Parents News UK, a pioneering publication launched in 1993 to serve the needs of busy parents in Southwest London. Alongside her husband, Fergus McCarthy, Penny played a crucial role in the rapid expansion of the printed edition, which grew from a local startup to a widely circulated monthly publication with a reach of 192,000 copies across Kent, South London, and beyond. Under Penny’s leadership, Parents News quickly became a trusted resource for families, providing valuable information on education, entertainment, sports, and family-friendly events. Her vision helped the publication extend its influence with franchises in Northern Ireland and Cornwall, catering to a growing demand for accessible, family-oriented content. In 1997, recognising the importance of digital media, Penny spearheaded the launch of Parents News UK Online. The website initially mirrored the content of the printed editions and has since evolved into a comprehensive online resource for parents, achieving significant popularity with up to 700 daily hits. In 2017, the publication transitioned fully to an online platform, continuing to inform and engage families across the UK. Today, Penny remains deeply involved in the ongoing success of Parents News UK, focusing on innovative advertising opportunities and future growth plans. Her dedication to supporting families through accessible and practical content has made Parents News a cherished name in households across the country.

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