A mischievous bear, a determined little mouse and plenty of puppetry are coming to London this Christmas as There’s a Bear on My Chair returns to the Southbank Centre.
Families can step into the funny and enchanting world of Bear and Mouse when Fuel, in association with Southbank Centre, brings its celebrated stage production of Ross Collins’ much-loved children’s story to the Queen Elizabeth Hall from 9 December 2026 to 3 January 2027.
Adapted for the stage and directed by Toby Olié, the production brings Ross Collins’ much-loved books to life through inventive puppetry, visual storytelling and plenty of laughs.
There’s a bear in Mouse’s favourite chair!
Poor Mouse has a problem.
A rather large Bear has decided to settle into Mouse’s favourite chair – and there’s certainly not enough room for both of them.
Mouse tries everything he can think of to persuade Bear to move, but nothing seems to work. However, things soon take an unexpected turn when Bear finds himself with an unwanted visitor of his own.
Mouse has decided that Bear’s house looks like the perfect place to settle in.
What follows is a playful battle of wills between the two characters, filled with surprises, humour and plenty of mischief.
Bringing Bear and Mouse to life
Based on Ross Collins’ books There’s a Bear on My Chair and There’s a Mouse in My House, the stage production uses captivating puppetry to bring the two characters to life.
Director and puppeteer Toby Olié, whose credits include The BFG, Spirited Away and War Horse, creates a visually engaging show filled with character, invention and movement.
The result is a 50-minute theatrical adventure designed to entertain both children and grown-ups, making it a lovely choice for a first theatre experience or a festive family outing.
With its combination of puppetry, humour, surprises and storytelling, There’s a Bear on My Chair offers families the chance to share a theatrical experience together over the Christmas holidays.
Booking Information
There’s a Bear on My Chair
9 December 2026 – 3 January 2027
Venue: Queen Elizabeth Hall, Southbank Centre
Belvedere Road
London SE1 8XX
Age recommendation: 2–7 years and their grown-ups
Running time: 50 minutes, no interval
Performance times:
Monday–Thursday: 10.30am
Friday–Sunday: 10.30am and 1.30pm
There are no performances on 14, 21, 25 or 26 December, or 1 January.
Press performance: Friday 11 December at 1.30pm
Box Office: 0203 879 9555
