Children and young people's theatre

A Monster Calls at The Lowry

The UK tour of A Monster Calls comes to The Lowry in Salford.

National Connections for Keswick

Keswick’s Theatre by the Lake is a partner venue for 2020’s National Theatre Connections festival.

Taking Flight launches Wales’ first youth theatre company for deaf performers

The official launch of the first youth theatre company catering for “D/deaf and hard of hearing performers” in Wales, under the aegis of renowned inclusive theatre company Taking Flight, took place at the Wales Millennium Centre.

Customs House selected for national programme

South Shields’ Customs House has been chosen to take part in the Future Arts Centres Here and Now project.

Customs House Takeover play director announced

South Shields’ Customs House has announced who is to direct this year’s play from the Takeover Young Writer in Residence.

Lost Happy Endings in Darlington starts tour

balletLORENT begins a national tour of The Lost Happy Endings at Darlington Hippodrome.

A Ripper yarn for youth performers

Liverpool’s Royal Court youth theatre and North West End acting school have combined to present a brand new play set in 19th century Liverpool: The Unlikely Candidate.

Monster of a writing challenge

A creative writing challenge has been launched alongside the UK tour of A Monster Calls.

Children’s arts festival to be staged in Leicester

The “largest children’s arts festival in England and Wales”, the Spark Festival in Leicester will present “unforgettable” arts experiences for young people aged from birth to 13 over seven days in February.

Epic poem takes to the roads

Murray Lachlan Young tours his family theatre show and virtual reality experience The Mystery of the Raddlesham Mumps this spring.

NE playwrights under 25: an opportunity

The Customs House in South Shields is looking for a NE-based playwright under 25 to become its third Young Writer in Residence.

The Little Prince lands in Manchester

The Little Prince lands in Manchester when Z-arts host this new show from Fuel Theatre.

From January to May at The Hullabaloo

Darlington’s Hullabaloo has announced its programme of play installations, workshops and performances for young children during the spring.

Just So much for Cheshire fest

Just So Festival has unveiled the first wave of programming for this year’s festival at Rode Hall Estate, Cheshire.

Young theatregoers benefit from appeal

Theatre by the Lake in Keswick has been making strides with its Christmas Appeal.

Dennis steps up as Elfluent steps down

The replacement for Santa’s Naughty Elf at the Customs House is announced.

£43,000 ACE grant for Mortal Fools YT project

Arts Council England has given £43,000 over two years to Prudhoe-based Mortal Fools for its Youth Theatre Exchange Project.

A Beasty Baby in Liverpool

Unity Theatre in Liverpool currently hosts Beasty Baby.

Ducklings afloat in Exchange Studio

The Herd Theatre float their show for youngsters Ducklings in Manchester Royal Exchange Studio.

Oldham Theatre Workshop has a Secret

Oldham Theatre Workshop is back with another family Christmas musical: The Secret of Christmas Eve.

Family holiday time at Z-arts

The holiday season at Z-arts in Manchester is aimed at the whole family.

Scamp wedded to Z Arts

Scamp Theatre’s The Scarecrows’ Wedding comes to Z-arts in Manchester.

Christmas dance for kids

balletLORENT presents a Christmas creative dance course for children in Newcastle.

Gramophones record funding for new aerial theatre show

Nottingham-based all-female theatre company the Gramophones has received almost £60,000 from Arts Council England and other sources to mount a new aerial theatre show for families.

Pick up a Penguin for Christmas

The Broadway and West End production of Mr Popper’s Penguins comes to Greater Manchester.

New commission announced for Midlands theatre makers

A Midlands creative development programme is to commission a new piece of work from mid-career theatre makers for 2020.

Two helpings from Kitchen Zoo this Christmas

This Christmas children’s theatre company Kitchen Zoo will be appearing at two different venues with two different shows.

Northampton reveals cast for Pippi Longstocking première

Northampton’s Royal and Derngate has announced the cast for the world première of Pippi Longstocking, one of its 2019 Christmas shows.

Derby Theatre casts Little Red Riding Hood

Derby Theatre and Hiccup Theatre have revealed the cast of their Christmas 2019 production Little Red Riding Hood.

Double helping of Horrible Histories

Horrible Histories Live On Stage heads to Storyhouse in Chester.

Scaredy Bairns at Halloween

Scaredy Bairns is a family friendly Halloween experience deep in the woods in County Durham.

Melva tours to schools in 2019 and 2020

Melva, a play about children’s anxieties and worries, tours to NE schools in 2019 and 2020.

Big Imaginations sought for child-centred shows

The Dukes and Lancaster Arts are set to host five family shows in October.

Snow Queen casting announced

Northern Stage has announced the cast for its Christmas show, The Snow Queen.

Wintry outlook for Lancaster

The Dukes theatre in The Round in Lancaster will be transformed into a wintry woodland for this year’s Cinderella.

Stitching together Patchwork Wonders

Innovative theatre-makers Stitch Brothers present Patchwork Wonders for children at The Dukes in Lancaster.

Young gateway to culture

Young people can now get free membership and exclusive discounts at The Dukes in Lancaster.

TakeOff 2019 shows announced

The shows for the October 2019 Takeoff Festival of children’s theatre in Co Durham have been announced.

The Snowman flies into Peacock for 22nd year

Birmingham REP’s production of Raymond Briggs's The Snowman is to visit London’s Peacock Theatre for the 22nd consecutive year.

Young dancers and musicians Assemble in Croydon

Bassist Shri Sriram and dancer and choreographer Jose Agudo will present Assemble, a new work written and performed by young dancers and musicians aged 14–19, at Fairfield Halls, Croydon.

First Encounters with Shakespeare in the North East

The Royal Shakespeare Company’s First Encounters programme is coming to the region in October.

Award-winning short film becomes play for children

The Deaffest UK award-winning Best Artistic Short Film is to become a play for children at Northern Stage.

Baby Fever under observation

Baby Fever is at Stun Studios at Z Arts, Manchester.

Touring News – February 2020

Sandra Giorgetti looks at the tours that take to the road next month which includes more than the usual number of shows for younger audiences.

Christmas in the North West

A look at the pantos, musicals, family shows and other theatre productions that will be playing in the North West over the festive period.

Shooting Fish: shooting a bullseye for young people's creative needs

A visit to see Shooting Fish's latest production of The Murdereress prompted an inquiry into their creative process. The result is the revelation of an inspiring method of engaging with and drawing out the best in young people.

Rocket Girl

Steve Byron

Plock!

Concept by Hanne Vandersteene and Mahlu Mertens

Nest

Anna Beecher and Rachel Lincoln

Holes

Louis Sachar

Giraffes Can't Dance

Based on the book by Giles Andreae and Guy Parker-Rees, adapted by Julia Thomas

Ducklings

Sam Caseley

Red

Devised by the company

Father Christmas's Christmas Workshop

Horrible Histories Horrible Christmas

Terry Deary

All Wrapped Up

Ellie Griffiths

Roots

Suzanne Andrade

The Lost Thing

Based on the book by Shaun Tan, music and words Jules Maxwell, director and c...

The Adventures of Pinocchio

Carlo Collodi, adapted by Matt Borgatti, music and lyrics by Mary Erskine and...

The Slightly Annoying Elephant

David Walliams, adapted by Samantha Lane, music and lyrics by Tom Gray

Santa’s Sooty Christmas

Roma Tomelty

The Snow Queen

Hans Christian Andersen, adapted by Laura Lindow

The Snow Queen

Conor Mitchell after Hans Christian Andersen

Peter Pan

J M Barrie, adapted by Deborah McAndrew

Snow White

Original Brothers Grimm fairy tale developed by Mike Tweddle and Rina Vergano

Wolf!

Written and devised by Brad McCormick, Hannah Goudie-Hunter and Bob Nicholson...

The Prince and the Pauper

Mark Twain, adapted by Chinonyerem Odimba

The Canterville Ghost

Oscar Wilde, adapted by Anthony Weigh

The Boy in the Dress

Mark Ravenhill, based on the David Walliams novel

I Wish I Was A Mountain

Toby Thompson

Maggot Moon

Based on the novel by Sally Gardner adapted for the stage by Jemma Kennedy

The Boy Who Cried Wolf

Mike Kenny

Anansi the Spider

Justin Audibert