The Lyric theatre in Hammersmith is launching an explosion of family shows from January to March, packed with imaginative entertainment for little ones.
Interactive music and crafts, animation, puppetry and classic storytelling will create magic for all the family during the Little Lyric 2024 spring season.
With shows for children and their grown-ups at 11am and 1pm every Saturday from 13 January to 16 March, plus extra performances during February half term, the studio theatre in Hammersmith’s Lyric Square will be buzzing.
The season kicks off on Saturday 13 January with performances of jazz and funk-fuelled family adventure Groove into the Woods for children aged three to seven. Music from the Groove Baby Organ Trio leads an animated and live-action adventure following three friends into a fairytale forest where they learn important lessons about friendship, trust and trolls.
The shows continue on Saturday 20 January with a performance focused on the story of one of history’s most inspiring women, specially created for little ones aged from three.
The play Florence Nightingale and the Light of Life follows the nurse and her owl Athena as live actors and puppetry bring her incredible true story to life.
Next up is a story of a bad-tempered witch who finds an egg in her nest and has no idea what to do with it.
The Witch and the Egg on Saturday 27 January is aimed at youngsters up to the age of nine and sees a performer and a flock of shadow puppets tell a heart-warming story about friendship, laughter and flying the nest.
A week later and spooky tale In the Dead of the Night is on stage on Saturday 3 February, adapted from the popular children’s book by Arthur McBain and featuring original songs and puppetry.
Suitable for children from three, the story follows Lily, a young girl whose wild imagination conjures up fantastical monsters from the strange noises she hears in the middle of the night.
A musical adventure among the library shelves is up next on Saturday 10 February, as the Lyric hosts the hour-long Luna Loves Library Day for little bookworms aged from three.
Based on the critically acclaimed book by Waterstones Children’s Laureate Joseph Coelho and illustrator Fiona Lumbers, join Luna and Dad as they discover magic and mystery, laughter and sadness.
Half term holidays
During half term from Tuesday 13 February to Saturday 17 February, Can Bears Ski? will take over the Lyric’s studio theatre with performances suitable for both deaf and hearing audiences using a mix of British Sign Language and spoken English.
Based on the book by Raymond Antrobus, who draws on his own experience as a deaf child in a hearing world, the show follows Little Bear and Dad Bear as they learn how to find your place in the world.
The classic tale of The Three Bears is up next on the bill on Saturday 24 February and features original live music and puppets to tell the story of Goldilocks, mummy, daddy and baby bear in a show for children up to the age of six.
Meanwhile, another well-loved story follows a week later as Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland will be on stage on Saturday 2 March. Drawing on the wealth of strange episodes from author Lewis Carroll’s Adventures in Wonderland and Through the Looking Glass, the show will take audiences down the rabbit hole into a timeless world of fantasy.
For those who love getting their hands dirty, head to Claytime at the Lyric’s studio on Saturday 9 March. Combining an interactive theatre show with a live clay-making workshop for everyone to get involved, each unique 75-minute session creates its own world, characters and stories drawn directly from its young audience.
The season closes on Saturday 16 March with a hilarious performance of Dogs Don’t Do Ballet, aimed at little ones aged two to six. Showcasing the amazing story of a small dog with a big personality and dreams, the performance is brought to life using beautiful puppets, ballet music and comedy.
To book tickets (priced from £8) to any of the Little Lyric 2024 spring season shows, visit the Lyric theatre's website or call the box office on 020 8741 6850.
