Families with school-agers will certainly want to make the most of Britain’s notably shorter summer vacations. As well as WOMAD, there are many other UK festivals ideal for family relaxation and enjoyment; our favourites include Camp Bestival, Port Eliot and the Big Feastival.
For the best in ferociously family-friendly music, magic, circus and comedy, head to London’s Southbank riverside for the summer- long Underbelly Festival. Underbelly proudly presents affordable live entertainment for all ages, with many shows priced at £10 or less, along with plenty of street food and refreshment bars. Look out for Monski Mouse’s Baby Disco Dance Hall, the Amazing Bubble Man, Comedy Club 4 Kids and “acts that don’t seem humanly possible” from Quebec’s Flip FabriQue. There’s also Children are Stinky, the award-winning Australian circus sensation featuring incredible acrobatics, lightning fast hula hoops and loads of laughs, Metta Theatre’s spectacular hip-hop Jungle Book, high energy comedy and song from Four Femmes on the Thames and evenings of hilarious nonsense and interactive madness with Margaret Thatcher’s Queen of Gameshows.
Not far away, in the cool and mysterious Vaults beneath Waterloo Station, you’ll find more kicks for kids as Les Petits Theatre Company stages an extraordinary, immersive Alice in Wonderland. Set in multiple, magical rooms, this version of the beloved classic tale is an award-winning, push-the-boundaries theatre experience for 5-10 year olds, who will follow the White Rabbit down the rabbit hole, choose between ‘eat me’ and ‘drink me’, tumble with the Tweedle Twins and take tea at the biggest unbirthday party with the maddest of Hatters. But do heed the Company’s warning: Don’t be late! Logic will fail you! Nonsense will overwhelm you!
Toddlers in tutus as well as seasoned dance lovers will be equally enchanted by My FirstBallet: Cinderella. This beautifully- staged joint production by the English National Ballet and English National Ballet School, turns everyone’s favourite rags-to-riches story into a charming show for children aged 3 and up. Based on our recent visit in the company of a transfixed two year old, this Cinderella is guaranteed to have young audiences crawling, skipping and twirling in the aisles by intermission.
For a wonderful way to introduce your youngsters to classical and other great music, take your pick from several family focussed BBC Proms this summer. Ten Pieces: Sir Henry’s Magnificent Musical Inspirations Prom will lead audiences on a splendid musical adventure, whilst the BBC Scottish Symphony Orchestra Prom offers an exciting intergalactic journey featuring the lively sounds of Holst’s The Planets. There’s a Relaxed Prom filled with colour, laughter and audience participation, suitable for everyone, but especially children and adults with mental, physical or sensory disabilities. Always utterly fabulous is the John Wilson Orchestra, with a joyful semi-staging of Oklahoma! bursting with timeless tunes like Oh, what a Beautiful Morning! and Surrey with the Fringe on Top. The Proms also hosts lots of free family workshops and Prom Extras, where you are encouraged to bring your instrument or your voices, whatever your ability.
Further information:
www.ballet.org.uk/production/my-first-ballet-cinderella
Image: The Underbelly's Festival Children are Stinky from Jen Pearce, the Underbelly
Article by Judith Schrut. Email Judith at judith0777@gmail.com