Here at Official London Theatre, we’re getting rather eggs-cited about Easter and all of the cracking productions that are playing in London.
We know there’s nothing better than a good hunt when an edible egg-shaped treat awaits you at the end, but when it comes to finding out what’s happening in Theatreland this Easter, a long search is the last thing you want.
That’s why we’ve put together a helpful list of the theatrical treats that London has to offer during the Easter period. Eggs-pect wizards, tigers and cheese-eating inventors.
1. Potted Potter – The Unauthorised Harry Experience / Garrick theatre / Now playing to 21 Apr
Armed with chocolate frogs, horcruxes and plenty of Hogwarts magic, Daniel Clarkson and Jefferson Turner are wowing London audiences once again with their hilarious 70-minute sprint through all seven Harry Potter books. If you missed them last time they were in town, why not spend an evening this Easter in the company of the two-time Olivier Award nominated double act?
2. Rapunzel / Sadler’s Wells / 29 to 30 Mar
Carol Ann Duffy’s new version of the Brothers Grimm fairy tale exposes the darker beauty of Rapunzel, the girl with long flowing locks who is confined to a tower until her Prince Charming comes to her rescue. Playing as part of Sadler’s Wells’ annual Family Weekend, this is just one of the many exciting shows and activities taking place at the Islington venue over the Easter weekend.
3. Tiddler And Other Terrific Tales / Wyndham’s theatre / 20, 27 Apr, 4 May
If you loved Stick Man – Live On Stage!, you’ll love number three on our list. Adapted from the best-selling books by Julia Donaldson and Axel Scheffler, the writer/illustrator duo behind children’s favourite The Gruffalo, Tiddler And Other Terrific Tales will take you under the sea, over land, down to the farm and into the jungle with songs, laughs, puppets and loads of likeable characters.
4. Doctor Brown Brown Brown Brown Brown And His Singing Tiger / Soho theatre / 29 to 30 Mar
The Soho theatre may not have any egg-delivering bunnies this Easter, but it does have a singing tiger who, along with Doctor Brown, will take young audiences on a madcap adventure from breakfast to bedtime with a ski race, tennis match and slightly spectacular BMX finale.
5. English National Ballet 2 – My First Cinderella / Peacock theatre / 27 Mar to 7 Apr
Everyone’s favourite rags to riches story, My First Cinderella gives children aged three and above their first taste of ballet, combining the magical tale of Prince Charmings, Fairy Godmothers and evil stepsisters with captivating music and beautiful dance.
6. Wallace And Gromit’s Musical Marvels / Hammersmith Apollo / 31 Mar to 1 Apr
Join the man who prefers cheese to chocolate as he prepares for his musical masterpiece with the help of his loveable four-legged companion. Featuring new specially filmed animations as well as live orchestral accompaniment, you’d be crackers to miss it, so head to the Hammersmith Apollo, where there will also be a screening of the multi award-winning Wallace & Gromit film A Matter Of Loaf And Death with the soundtrack performed by the orchestra live on stage.
7. Mister Holgado / Unicorn theatre / 30 Mar to 28 Apr
While we’re tucking into our Easter eggs, the star of this show is chomping on Champagne truffles. He’s a tiger and he lives on top of Conrad’s wardrobe. Conrad’s parents don’t believe him, but it doesn’t matter because the stranger they let into their house seems more of a threat than a tiger could ever be.
8. The Gingerbread Man / Little Angel theatre / 30 Mar to 17 Apr
If your tummies are bulging with too much chocolate, why not try gingerbread for a change. Suitable for children aged three and above, The Gingerbread Man uses puppetry, live cooking and a sprinkle of imagination to bring the confectionary man to life.
9. Egg / Polka theatre / 3 to 13 Apr
No Easter would be complete without an Egg, which at Polka theatre comes with magic, live music and plenty of action, so join this group of madcap birds on an adventure of a lifetime as they grapple with growing up and giving in to their natural instincts to take flight.
10. West End long-runners
Many of your favourite West End shows are offering extra performances this Easter. Disney’s much-loved musical tale The Lion King has an extra matinee on 4 April, while percussion sensation Stomp has added extra Wednesday performances for both weeks of the Easter holidays.