Have you heard of the Official London Theatre Kids Week before?
No. Really? You need to know about this. If you are a parent who loves going to the theatre in London but finds it hard to afford to take all the family then this is the time of year to get excited because you can get your kids tickets for free!
What is Kids Week?
Yes, totally free. For each adult ticket you buy for one of the 40 eligible shows on offer this year, you can get a child ticket for free (for a child 16 years or under) and if like me you have more children than adults in your family then you can buy up to two additional child tickets for half price.
Kids Week is an amazing initiative from the Society of London Theatre (SOLT) which has been running since 1998 and has reached over 1.2 million families, it is such a great way to make the best London shows available to more families and to open children up to an amazing new cultural experience. Last year we went along to see a show called 13 The Musical which wasn't one I'd heard of before but the kids really enjoyed it and the tickets were super cheap. We had a fab time in London as a family.
Kids Week started as one week but is now so popular that it now runs from 1 - 31 August. Tickets are available subject to availability (especially at weekends)
This year I'm aiming to see one of the big shows and the ones at the top of our hit list are Disney's Aladdin, The School of Rock, Matilda the Musical or Disney’s The Lion King. These are four shows that we have been talking about as a family for a very long time. However, I have to say that I've not seen a bad show yet and any of the shows that are part of the Kids Week initiative would be amazing to see.
Take a look at this trailer and you can see for yourself the kind of shows that have tickets available for Kids Week this year.
Kids Week isn't just about watching a show though, alongside the performances, children are given the chance to get involved in a wide range of free events, workshops and activities, with participating shows offering everything from storytelling and backstage tours to cast meet-and-greets and choreography. All the full details of what is available will be on the Kids Week booking site when it goes live on Tuesday 12th June 2018 at 10am.
I didn't have any idea that Kids Week ticket holders could also take advantage of a number of ‘Kids Go Free’ deals on dining and hotels, so I'll be sure to check those deals out on the Kids Week site too
What shall we see?
My kids haven't been to many London theatre shows as yet. We all saw 13 The Musical last year and JJ has been to Charlie and the Chocolate Factory but that's it. Oh no, I can't fail to mention the amazing La Petite Soiree we all saw in December but that is more or an extravaganza than theatre show. I on the other hand have been to a few more; before we had the children my husband and I would go most months and thus I've seen many of the very long running shows but for over a decade I didn't go at all and then in recent years it has been once or twice a year as I have started to treat myself again.
There are a couple of shows from the list of those included in Kids Week that I've seen in the last couple of years and I feel I have to mention them as wonderful options for your family to see -
Wicked
I've seen Wicked twice now, it is one of those shows that you won't get bored of it. I found the Wicked story line so very clever, it isn't a prequel, nor a sequel to the Wizard of Oz, it runs alongside it and some of it does happen before the classic story that we all know, but I love the way the two stories intertwine together. It is very, very clever. The story keeps you hooked from the moment it starts right through to the end. I easily could have watched for another hour and needless to say the show ended with a standing ovation from the crowd. The performances were absolutely sublime.
In my personal opinion I think Wicked is suitable for older children, so I'd say 8 or 9 years upwards as there are a couple of potentially scary scenes in Oz, but there are also some really fabulous life messages that they would benefit from hearing. You can read my review of Wicked by clicking the link.
42nd Street
In my personal opinion I think Wicked is suitable for older children, so I'd say 8 or 9 years upwards as there are a couple of potentially scary scenes in Oz, but there are also some really fabulous life messages that they would benefit from hearing. You can read my review of Wicked by clicking the link.
42nd Street
If you are a fan of musical theatre then this is the perfect show for you. When my husband and I went to see this we had no idea what to expect but it is truly phenomenal. It is the most colourful and packed show I have ever been to it. It has a really large cast and there is superb singing and dancing and don't even get me started on the sets, they take your breath away. Don't be fooled into thinking this is more of a girls show, it really is for everyone. Check out my 42nd Street Review too.
How to Book and Get More Information
If you want to stay up to date with all the latest news from Kids Week or to ask questions of other theatre goers make sure you join the Kids Week Facebook group or follow Kids Week on Twitter and
Tickets will be available to book online at officiallondontheatre.com/kids-week from If you want to stay up to date with all the latest news from Kids Week or to ask questions of other theatre goers make sure you join the Kids Week Facebook group or follow Kids Week on Twitter and
10am Tuesday 12 June 2018.
Terms and Conditions: All Kids Week offers are subject to availability for specific performances (especially at weekends). Shows on offer may change throughout the promotion. The offer does not apply to tickets already booked and cannot be used with any other offer. Maximum eight tickets per booking.
All the best securing the show you fancy. I advise booking early!
Disclosure: We're hoping to see a show and review it this coming August. I've not been instructed what to write and I remain honest.
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