The October half term is one of the best weeks of the year to bring the family into town. The Christmas rush has not quite started, there is a real buzz in Theatreland, and the West End is full of shows made to be enjoyed together. Whether you have little ones seeing their very first show or teenagers who think they are too cool for all this, here are our favourite picks for a family day out this half term.
The big West End musicals
If you want the full, jaw-dropping, lights-and-spectacle experience, start with the giants. The Lion King at the Lyceum remains the great family spectacular, its opening “Circle of Life” and extraordinary puppetry casting a spell over audiences of every age; it is recommended for ages six and up and is as close to a guaranteed hit as the West End gets. Just along the way, Matilda at the Cambridge brings Roald Dahl’s pint-sized heroine to life with Tim Minchin’s wickedly clever songs and a riot of “Revolting Children”, while Wicked at the Apollo Victoria tells the untold story of the witches of Oz and builds to one of the most thrilling moments in musical theatre, the soaring “Defying Gravity”. All three are long-running favourites for a reason.
Perfect for younger children
For families with smaller children, two shows stand out. Paddington The Musical at the Savoy is a brand-new, warm-hearted treat, with songs by Tom Fletcher and inventive puppetry bringing everyone’s favourite marmalade-loving bear to the stage; it is recommended for ages six and up and makes an ideal first trip to the theatre. And at the Gillian Lynne Theatre, the stage adaptation of Studio Ghibli’s My Neighbour Totoro is pure wonder, a beautifully gentle, visually magical show that enchants children and grown-ups alike, also recommended for ages six and up.
Something a little different
If your family fancies a change from a traditional musical, there is plenty on offer. High School Musical on Stage! has just opened at the Troubadour Wembley Park Theatre, marking twenty years of the hit film with an immersive staging that turns the auditorium into a basketball court, packed with the songs that a whole generation grew up singing. And for something genuinely thrilling, Cirque Berserk brings real, death-defying circus to the Garrick stage for a strictly limited run over the half term, a jaw-dropping spectacle of acrobatics, stunts and daredevil feats that is suitable for ages five and up. It plays only until the end of October, so half term is very much the week to catch it.
For older children and teenagers
If your half term party includes teenagers, Stranger Things: The First Shadow at the Phoenix Theatre is the one to book. This gripping, multi-award-winning prequel takes you back to the very beginning of the hit series with some of the most jaw-dropping stagecraft in the West End, and it is a genuinely thrilling night out. It is suitable for ages twelve and up, so it suits older children and teens rather than little ones, and it makes a brilliant alternative for families who have outgrown the puppets and princesses.
Booking tips for a family trip
A few small things make a family theatre trip run more smoothly. Matinee performances, usually in the afternoon, tend to suit younger children far better than a late evening start, so look for those when you book. Check the recommended age guidance for each show so the whole family gets the most out of it, and aim to arrive at least twenty minutes early to find your seats and settle in without a rush. Many of the theatres sit close together around Covent Garden and the Strand, so it is easy to build a show into a proper day out with lunch and a wander beforehand.
Whatever the ages in your party, there is a West End show to make this half term one to remember. Browse everything that is on and book your seats on our shows page.
