The half-term holidays: a source of great joy (and, in their eyes, freedom!) to youngsters, and a potential headache to parents, who somehow have to come up with a whole week’s worth of entertainment.
And that’s where London theatre comes in. With a whole host of London shows laying on extra performances – the list below is by no means exhaustive, so do check with box offices if another show takes your fancy – there’s never a better time to witness the wonders of London’s West End.
We’ve picked out a few potential highlights of the holiday, so you don’t have to. What’s more, all of the below are laying on extra matinee performances, so there’s plenty of chances to catch them this week.
Please remember to note each show’s Age & Content Guide (including age recommendation and advisory content) before booking.
9 To 5 The Musical
Caroline Sheen (Violet Newstead), Natalie McQueen (Doralee Rhodes) and Amber Davies (Judy Bernly) in 9 To 5 The Musical (Photo: Pamela Raith)
What a way to make a livin’! Dolly Parton’s country-fuelled musical is packing plenty of star power over at the Savoy Theatre, with the likes of Natalie McQueen, Amber Davies, Brian Conley and more teaching us all how to take care of business – by taking on the man.
Extra Half-term Matinee: Thursday 21 February, 2.30pm
The Curious Incident Of The Dog In The Night-Time
Joshua Jenkins in The Curious Incident Of The Dog In The Night-Time (Photo: Brinkhoff/Mogenburg)
Back in London to tell its extraordinary tale once more, the National Theatre production of The Curious Incident Of The Dog In The Night-Time – recipient of more awards than you can shake a stick at – plays at the Piccadilly Theatre. The show follows 15-year-old Christopher, who sets out to solve the mysterious case of a murdered dog.
Extra Half-term Matinee: Tuesday 19 February, 2.30pm
Disney’s Aladdin
Disney’s Aladdin at the Prince Edward Theatre (Photo: Johan Persson)
Disney’s Aladdin, already a hit musical on Broadway, takes London theatre audiences into a world filled with beauty, comedy and breath-taking spectacle. It tells the well-known story of a savvy street urchin who finds himself caught up in the nefarious plans of an evil magician, falls for a stunning princess and befriends a wonderfully funny lamp-dwelling magical being.
Extra Half-term Matinee: Tuesday 19 February, 2.30pm
Disney’s The Lion King
Disney’s The Lion King at the Lyceum Theatre (Photo: Dewynters Photography)
Julie Taymor’s spectacular adaptation of Disney’s award-winning film uses masks and puppetry to create pure theatrical magical. When the young lion prince Simba is born, his evil uncle Scar is pushed back to second in line to the throne. Unimpressed with his future prospects, Scar plots to kill both Simba and his father, the Lion King Mufasa, becoming king in the process.
Extra Half-term Matinee: Thursday 21 February, 2.30pm
Mamma Mia!
The London cast of Mamma Mia!
The hit ABBA musical that still has West End audiences taking a chance on it more than a decade and a half after it first premiered, Mamma Mia! continues to deliver the feel-good factor to London in spades. The musical features some of ABBA’s most famous songs, including Does Your Mother Know, Dancing Queen, Money Money Money, Take A Chance On Me, Super Trouper, The Winner Takes It All and, of course, the title song Mamma Mia!.
Extra Half-term Matinee: Tuesday 19 February, 3pm
Matilda The Musical
Matilda The Musical at Cambridge Theatre (Photo: Manuel Harlan)
With book by Dennis Kelly, and music & lyrics by Tim Minchin, inspired by the twisted genius of Roald Dahl, Matilda is the record-breaking musical masterpiece from the RSC. Matilda The Musical is the story of Matilda Wormwood, a child with an incredible talent for learning. Despite being hampered by unscrupulous, uncaring parents who care neither for their daughter or for education, she excels intellectually and even discovers a rather unique talent.
Extra Half-term Matinee: Wednesday 21 February, 2pm
Les Misérables
Les Misérables at Queen’s Theatre
Seen by more than 70 million people worldwide in 45 countries and in 22 languages, this spectacular musical adaptation of Victor Hugo’s masterpiece continues to thrill audiences night after night at the Queen’s Theatre. Set amidst the social and political struggles of 19th century France, West End favourite Les Misérables tells the story of former prisoner Jean Valjean, who is pursued for decades by his policeman nemesis, Javert.
Extra Half-term Matinee: Tuesday 19 February, 2.30pm
Nine Night
The cast of Nine Night (Photo: Helen Murray)
This glorious play from debut playwright Natasha Gordon explores the world of families and the rituals they undertake. The show explores what happens when three generations are brought together to commemorate the seriously ill Gloria’s passing with a traditional Jamaican Nine Night Wake – and the resulting story is heart-wrenching and powerful.
Extra Half-term Matinee: Wednesday 20 February, 2.30pm
School Of Rock The Musical
The cast of School Of Rock The Musical
A guitar-thrashing, drum-rolling, rip-roaring celebration of the power of rock, School Of Rock – The Musical tells the story of Dewey Finn, a down-on-his-luck wannabe rock star struggling to make ends meet. Posing as a substitute teacher at a prestigious prep school, Finn discovers his students’ musical talents, and opts to enlist his fifth-graders in a quest to conquer The Battle Of The Bands.
Extra Half-term Matinee: Wednesday 20 February, 2.30pm
Six The Musical
Six The Musical (Photo: Idil Sukan)
You’ve learned all about them in History class – but have you ever learned about Her-story? Divorced. Beheaded. Live in concert! From Tudor Queens to Pop Princesses, the Six wives of Henry VIII take to the mic to rewrite their tales, in this smash-hit pop concert musical, critically acclaimed across the UK.
Extra Half-term Matinee: Wednesday 20 February, 4pm
Wicked
Alice Fearn (Elphaba) and Sophie Evans (Glinda) in Wicked at the Apollo Victoria Theatre (Photo: Matt Crockett)
A spellbinding favourite in the West End, this magical musical tells the incredible untold story of the Witches of Oz. Their extraordinary adventures in Oz will ultimately see them fulfil their destinies as Glinda the Good and the Wicked Witch of the West.
Extra Half-term Matinee: Thursday 21 February, 2.30pm
There are plenty of shows to treat the whole family and the list above is by no means exhaustive, so do check with box offices if another show takes your fancy.