Comedian and host Marcus Brigstocke will be among an array of talented theatre stars coming together at the Royal Festival Hall on 10 August to launch Kids Week in the West End 2011.
The star of The Railway Children will host the free event, running from 14:00 to 17:00, which will feature performances from the casts of Billy Elliot The Musical, Mamma Mia! and Million Dollar Quartet alongside magic from award-winning children’s dramatist David Wood, whose adaptation of The Tiger Who Came To Tea is currently entertaining London audiences.
That famously peckish big cat will also be at the launch event, working up a sweat with the energetic-sounding Tiger-Aerobics. Getting fit with a feline is just one of the free activities on offer during the afternoon of theatrical fun, which also includes a taster session with English National Ballet, the chance to learn a Mamma Mia! dance routine and a West End sing-along.
Kids Week, now in its 14th year of giving children the chance to experience London’s world-leading theatre for free and take a peek behind the scenes, has proved more popular than ever in 2011, with 27,880 tickets sold in just the first day.
Mark Rubinstein, President of the Society of London Theatre, which runs Kids Week, said: “I am delighted that the 14th year of Kids Week in the West End has got off to a flying start with more than 50,000 tickets snapped up already. With more than 30 shows taking part, there is something for all ages from The Tiger Who Came To Tea and Potted Potter through to Jersey Boys.”
Kids Week offers one child aged 16 or younger a free ticket to a participating show with every full paying adult. A further two children can also go at half price as part of the deal. With many of London’s hottest shows taking part, it is the perfect opportunity to try something new or treat the kids in the school holidays. Young theatre fans can get even more from the promotion by attending one of the varied free Kids Week activities also available.
More information about Kids Week, which runs from 12 August until 4 September, can be found at www.kidsweek.co.uk You can also get involved by following Kids Week on Twitter and Facebook.