Lyric's Children Shows

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Saturday 17 September, 11am & 1pm
Dynamic New Animation
Baba Yaga - Boney Legs
Ages 5 - 11

Baba Yaga is a crazy witch who flies through the air in a pestle and mortar! Her house rampages through the woods on a pair of chicken legs and its fence is made of bones! When Lisa is captured by Baba Yaga, she has to use all her cunning to help her escape.

This adventure story from Dynamic New Animation is brought to life using a mix of puppetry, physical performance and acrobatics. It’s a larger scale show than usual from DNA team with an animated set by Jo Pocock - one of the creative team members behind the Lyric’s hit show, Shockheaded Peter - and acrobatic sequences directed by Flick from FZ.

Running Time: 60 minutes
Ticket Prices: adults £8, children and concessions £6, family ticket £24 for 4 seats (min 1 child)

Saturday 24 September
Essequibo Music
The Rainforest Revisited
Ages 3 - 6

Award-winning flautist Keith Waithe and leading writer and storyteller Sandra Agard take you on an adventure to the South American rainforest - with lots of audience participation and live music.

Arranged as a series of short stories, Keith and Sandra use song, melody and real sounds of the rainforest - including the Kaiter Waterfalls, the world’s longest single drop waterfall - to help children explore this exciting environment.

Running Time: 45 minutes
Ticket Prices: adults £8, children and concessions £6, family ticket £24 for 4 seats (min 1 child)

Saturday 1 October, 11am & 1pm
Tuesday 4 October, 10.30am & 1pm
Whippersnappers and The Beans and Gari Puppet Theatre
Anancy and the Golden Story Box
Ages 3+

Anancy and the Golden Story Box is a marionette puppet show about Anancy, the mythical half-man half-spider, from Ghanian folklore. With puppets made from local Ghanian materials - wood, bamboo, cornhusks and gourds - and live Cuban percussion.

Running Time: 50 minutes
Ticket Prices: adults £8, children and concessions £6, family ticket £24 for 4 seats (min 1 child)

Saturday 8 October, 11am & 1pm
Tara Arts
When the Lights Went Out
Ages 6 - 11

Join one of the UK’s leading Asian theatre companies for all the spectacle and wonder of Divali, the story of the Hindu Festival of Lights, specially devised for children.

Tara Arts use masks, dance, song - and lots of audience participation - to tell the tale of the legendary lovers, Sita and Rama, who overcome the ten-headed demon god, Ravana, with the help of Hanuman, the Monkey God.

Running Time: 50 minutes
Ticket Prices: adults £8, children and concessions £6, family ticket £24 for 4 seats (min 1 child)

Saturday 15 October, 11am & 1pm
Theatre Alibi
Bonjour Bob
Ages 5 - 10

Bob finds living at the seaside very lonely. One day he writes “Hello, I’m Bob” on the sand and watches the tide wash it away. But when he returns the next day, he finds a new message “Bonjour Bob, I’m Jean-Luc” and a very special friendship begins …

Written by Dan Jamieson, Bonjour Bob is the latest show for 5-10 year olds and their families from the Theatre Alibi. Action-packed, funny and touching, this is the magical story of a friendship made possible by the sea.

Running Time: 60 minutes
Ticket Prices: adults £8, children and concessions £6, family ticket £24 for 4 seats (min 1 child)

Wednesday 19 - Saturday 29 October
TPO
In collaboration with Rebwar Saeed and Lyric Hammersmith
The Kurdish Garden
CCC-Children’s Cheering Carpet
Ages 4+

Join Italy's leading children's theatre company on their magical carpet for a journey far away to the lush and vivid world of a Kurdish garden.

The audience is led into a digitally created world of sounds and images. The story unfolds as dance, paintings and the latest computer technology combine to take children on a unique exploration of another culture.

Each step children take on the carpet triggers images and sounds (made possible by the unique technology created by TPO) leading them through a colourful world of five special gardens created by the painter Rebwar Saeed.

In Rebwar’s garden the colours of the Kurdish natural landscape and the geometric harmonies of the Islamic garden merge and interact. The painter invites the public to follow an imaginary path through four gates, each of them leads to an area dedicated to a different colour and element: the yellow garden (earth), the blue garden (water), the green garden (leaves), the red garden (love). The theatrical action ends in the ‘garden of waterworks’.

Running Time: 55 minutes
Performance Schedule: Sat 22 Oct 11am, 1.30pm & 3.30pm; Mon 24 - Fri 28 Oct 10am, 12 noon & 2pm; Sat 29 Oct 11am, 1.30pm & 3.30pm
Ticket Prices: adults £8, children and concessions £6, family ticket £24 for 4 seats (min 1 child)

Saturday 5 November, 11am & 1pm
Red Earth Theatre
A Joshua Tree
Ages 4 - 7

Joshua loves to play, but his mum and dad simply haven’t got the time to join in. Then, just when he most needs a friend, an unexpected visitor arrives. Now the fun and games can really begin!

This funny and moving story is named after the Joshua Tree - although able to live for over 5,000 years, like children, it’s the first five years of its life which are most crucial to its survival.
Red Earth Theatre presents this exploration of family relationships for children and adults.

Running Time: 60 minutes
Ticket Prices: adults £8, children and concessions £6, family ticket £24 for 4 seats (min 1 child)

Fri 11 November, 1.30pm & 7pm
The Brownstones
A FREE work in progress for ages 5+

When C.C. arrives in England from America she has no idea just how different things are going to be. A new music theatre show about what happens when a young African American girl comes to stay with her Black British cousin. Created by legendary US musician Nona Hendryx and acclaimed British theatre director Josette Bushell-Mingo.

The Brownstones is a FREE work in progress. This means that it is not a ‘finished’ piece of theatre, but the chance to see a sneak preview during the development of a new work.

Running Time: not available at time of going to print
Ticket Prices: FREE, but must be booked through the Ticket Office

Saturday 12 November, 11am & 1pm
Lyngo Theatre Company and La Baracca
The Birdy and the Eagle
Ages 3 - 6

What do you do with an egg that doesn’t want to hatch? What’s inside? Is it just lazy? Is it asleep? No, it’s just warm and cosy in there. Too cosy! When this Alaskan egg gets left behind by his mum all the other animals help teach him how to stretch his legs, flap his wings and, eventually, how to fly. But something is watching and wants that egg for breakfast....

A show full of magical transformations and surprises from Lyngo Theatre Company who have worked in collaboration with La Baracca, the most influential children’s theatre company in Italy with over 20 years experience.

Running Time: 45 minutes
Ticket Prices: adults £8, children and concessions £6, family ticket £24 for 4 seats (min 1 child)

Thursday 17 November, 1.30pm
Friday 18 November, 10.30am
Saturday 19 November, 11am & 1pm
Half Moon
Mermaid and the Mirror
A Jackson’s Lane Xposure 2005 theatre commission featuring Mandy Colleran
For ages 3 - 6

Meet Spirallina, a mermaid who has left her solitary underwater world for a life on land. Spirallina loves to meet people and make friends, telling them about her life above and below the waves.

But when she looks in the mirror, Spirallina knows she is different. As she sits and reflects, Spirallina wonders if this is good or bad? Is it OK to be different from everyone else around her - or would it be better if she was just the same?

Half Moon is one of London’s leading theatre companies specialising in professional plays for young audiences. Mermaid and the Mirror is part of Half Moon’s commitment to developing groundbreaking work originated by artists from diverse backgrounds.

Running Time: 40 minutes
Ticket Prices: adults £8, children and concessions £6, family ticket £24 for 4 seats (min 1 child)

Christmas at the Lyric
Saturday 26 November - Saturday 31 December
Indefinite Articles and Lyric Hammersmith
The Magic Lamp
Ages 3 - 6

This Christmas let your child’s imagination run wild in a magically transformed Lyric Studio, where a mysterious Eastern world awaits. The Magic Lamp is an adaptation of the Aladdin tale and features original music and shadow puppetry.

Formed in 1995 by one of the country’s foremost practitioners of puppetry, Stephen Tiplady, Indefinite Articles have an international reputation for magical productions for children and adults alike. Their recent production of Dust won the Time Out Award for Most Inventive Show Off West End.

Running Time: 45 minutes
Performance Schedule:
Morning shows: 26 Nov 11am, 28 Nov - 2 Dec 10.30am, 3 Dec 11am, 5 - 9 Dec 10.30am, 10 Dec 11am, 12 - 16 Dec 10.30am, 17 Dec 11am, 19 - 20 Dec 10.30am, 21 - 23 Dec & 27 - 31 Dec 11am
Afternoon shows: 26 Nov 1pm, 28 Nov - 3 Dec 1pm, 5 - 7 Dec 1pm, 8 Dec 1.30pm, 9 & 10 Dec 1pm, 12 Dec 1pm, 13 Dec 1.30pm, 14 Dec 1pm, 15 Dec 1.30pm, 16 & 17 Dec 1pm, 19 - 23 Dec 1pm, 27 - 31 Dec 1pm
Ticket Prices: adults £8, children and concessions £6, family ticket £24 for 4 seats (min 1 child)

2 December - 14 January
Lyric Hammersmith
The Magic Carpet
By Ben Hopkins / Stage version by Ben Hopkins and David Farr
Ages 7+

Arabia - a very long time ago, a long way away. Two adventurous young thieves, Miloshin and Zhitva, meet while trying to steal the magnificent treasure of the Sultan of Arabia. So begins an epic journey of adventure as the pair team up and set off across the desert to sell their loot and make a fortune. Amongst the treasure is the ring of Solomon, a jewel of immense magical power. If it were to fall into the wrong hands it could destroy the world. The dark and terrifying wizard Du-Shou wants the ring … and is prepared to kill to get it! Only Miloshin and Zhitta’s cunning and bravery can save the world from destruction. Oh, and a certain dusty old carpet!

Continuing the Lyric Christmas show tradition, The Magic Carpet is an epic production full of magic, music, illusion and thrilling theatricality, and like all classic works, has a genuine moral and emotional drive.

David Farr is the Lyric’s new Artistic Director. His production of The Magic Carpet is part of a season that focuses on his ambition is to bring to the Lyric’s diverse audience a high-quality body of work that celebrates all the magical possibilities of live theatre.

The Magic Carpet is designed by Angela Davis - Angela and David have collaborated on ten shows including the acclaimed Young Vic Christmas show The Nativity, two Almedia operas and the award-winning A Midsummer Night’s Dream at Bristol Old Vic.

Running Time: approximately 2 hours
Performance Schedule:
Evenings: 2, 3, 8 & 9 Dec 7pm, 10 Dec 6pm, 16 Dec 7pm, 17 Dec 6pm, 20 - 22 Dec 7pm, 27 - 30 Dec 6pm, 4 - 6 Jan 7pm, 7 Jan 6pm, 12 & 13 Jan 7pm, 14 Jan 6pm
Matinees: 6 Dec 10am & 1.30pm, 8 Dec 1pm, 10 Dec 1.30pm, 12 Dec 10am & 1.30pm, 13 Dec 1pm, 14 Dec 10am & 1.30pm, 15 Dec 1pm, 16 Dec 11am, 17 Dec 1.30pm, 19 Dec 10am & 1.30pm, 21 - 23 Dec 2.30pm, 27 - 30 Dec 1.30pm, 31 Dec & 3 Jan 2.30pm, 6 Jan 11am, 7 Jan 1.30pm, 9 & 10 Jan 1pm, 11 Jan 10am, 12 Jan 1.30pm, 14 Jan 1.30pm
Open captioned performance: 6 Jan 7pm
Audio described performances: 10 Jan 1pm & 12 Jan 7pm
Ticket Prices:
£1 off all tickets bought online before 2 December
Adults £12, £16, £20 & £25
£9 Nights - all tickets £9 on 3 & 9 December 7pm, 3 January 2.30pm, 4 & 5 January 7pm
Under 16s £10
Family ticket £42 for 4 seats (min 1 child and must be booked before 2 December)
Concessions £10 (limited performances)
16 - 25s and students £6 (limited performances)

Saturday 14 January, 11am & 1pm
Pop-Up
Starry Starry Night
Ages 3+

Milly feels sad and alone. Then, one night when she’s trying to get to sleep, she suddenly finds herself in an extraordinary world where her toys have become huge! Or, has she become tiny? Featuring special effects, this is an enthralling show from one the UK’s leading children’s theatre companies.
Running Time: 50 minutes
Ticket Prices: adults £8, children and concessions £6, family ticket £24 for 4 seats (min 1 child)

Saturday 21 January, 11am & 1pm
Tall Stories
The Snow Dragon
Ages 3 - 6

Billy’s parents have asked him to go to the forest to pick some berries for the mysterious Snow Dragon who visits every New Year’s Eve with presents for well-behaved children. But that just seems like too much hard work for Billy, so he decides to steal some berries from his friends instead. Suddenly New Year’s Eve doesn’t turn out quite how he expected ...

Running Time: 50 minutes
Ticket Prices: adults £8, children and concessions £6, family ticket £24 for 4 seats (min 1 child)

Saturday 28 January, 11am & 1pm
Obelon Arts
The Singing Story Cloth
Ages 3+

A storytelling event with puppetry and music, directed by Tim Webb, Artistic Director of Lyric favourites Oily Cart. Featuring five folktales from different cultures around the world - African, Indian, Chinese, Scottish and Yiddish.

Running Time: 50 minutes
Ticket Prices: adults £8, children and concessions £6, family ticket £24 for 4 seats (min 1 child)

Saturday 4 February, 11am & 1pm
John Hegley
I am a Potato
Ages 7+

Do you know the difference between dogs and deckchairs? Have you ever tried your hand at listening to a cabbage? Discover the gentler side of celebrated comedian John Hegley in a show full of poetry, song and plenty of audience participation.

John Hegley is a regular sell-out performer at The Edinburgh Festival; he has also performed at the Montreal Comedy Festival and the USA Comedy Festival in Aspen. John is widely known as one of the country's most innovative comic poets with seven best-selling volumes of poetry to his name, Dog being the latest.

Running Time: 60 minutes
Ticket Prices: adults £8, children and concessions £6, family ticket £24 for 4 seats (min 1 child)

Spring Half Term
Tuesday 7 - Wednesday 18 February
Oily Cart
If All the World Were Paper
Ages 2 - 5

Imagine a world of paper - paper boats, paper hats, paper planes and paper chains.

Join Oily Cart, Britain’s leading creators of theatre for the very young, as they paint a doorway on a blank sheet of paper and find themselves in an enchanted landscape.

Oily Cart are regular favourites at the Lyric; earlier this year their show Hippity Hop which brought Hip Hop to the under 5s was a sell-out. Other shows they have recently produced include Baking Time, Under Your Hat and Jumpin’ Beans.

Running Time: 60 minutes
Performance Schedule: 7 - 10 Feb 10.30am & 1pm, 11 Feb 11am & 2pm, 13 - 18 Feb 11am & 2pm
Ticket Prices: adults £8, children and concessions £6, family ticket £24 for 4 seats (min 1 child)

Saturday 25 February, 11am & 1pm
Monday 27 February, 10.30am & 1.30pm
Big Wooden Horse
The Legend of Perseus
Ages 6+

Follow Perseus on his quest to slay the hideous monster Medusa - she has snakes instead of hair, horrible tusks and claws, and can turn a man to stone with one look!

One performer, playing twenty-six characters, creates a world of gods, heroes and monsters with the use of simple props, story-telling, music and a variety of eccentric and comic characters - including the scariest Barbie Doll you’ve ever seen!
Performer extraordinaire, Adam Bampton-Smith, has worked with many top children’s theatre companies including The Unicorn, The Belgrade Theatre, The Nuffield Theatre and Tall Stories.

Running Time: 60 minutes
Ticket Prices: adults £8, children and concessions £6, family ticket £24 for 4 seats (min 1 child)

Saturday 4 March, 11am & 1pm
Half Moon
My Friend Snow
Ages 2 - 6

As snow clouds gather around the castle turrets, Jape the Jester dreams of one day being as funny as his famous dad. But how can Jape live up to everyone’s expectations? All seems hopeless until the most mysterious and extraordinary new friend appears, as if from nowhere. Together they discover that within every dark cloud there can be a silver lining…

My Friend Snow is an enchanting medieval treasure trove of tunes, textures and tinctures, featuring original music and design inspired by the middle ages.

Half Moon is one of London’s leading theatre companies specialising in professional plays for young audiences.

Running Time: 50 minutes
Ticket Prices: adults £8, children and concessions £6, family ticket £24 for 4 seats (min 1 child)

Saturday 11 March, 11am, 12.15pm & 1.30pm
Garlic Theatre
The Three Billy Goats Gruff
Ages 3 - 6

“Who’s that trip trapping over my bridge?”

The classic tale of three hungry goats and a grumpy old troll - told with puppets, live music, story-telling and singing.

Garlic Theatre is an international award-winning company whose innovative productions have delighted family audiences in the UK and around the world.

Running Time: 35 minutes
Ticket Prices: adults £8, children and concessions £6, family ticket £24 for 4 seats (min 1 child)

Saturday 18 March, 11am & 1pm
Big Wooden Horse
Don’t Let the Pigeon Drive the Bus
Ages 3 - 6

The friendly bus driver has one simple instruction for the audience: "Don't let the pigeon drive the bus!" But, the pigeon is very clever. He whines, bribes, pleads and even sings a song to get his own way ... Will YOU let him drive the bus? This lively show is full of fun, feathers, and lots of audience participation!

Don’t Let the Pigeon Drive the Bus is written by Mo Willems. Mo has won six Emmy Awards as a writer and animator for Sesame Street and is the creator of The Cartoon Network's hit shows Sheep in the Big City and Codename: Kids Next Door. He was recently awarded the Caldecott Honor for children’s literature.

Running Time: 50 minutes
Ticket Prices: adults £8, children and concessions £6, family ticket £24 for 4 seats (min 1 child)

Saturday 25 March, 11am & 1pm
Krazy Kat
Growing, Growing . . . Gone!
Ages 3 - 7

A retelling of the traditional story of Jack and the Beanstalk with puppets, magic, music and dancing! Jack and his mother are down on their luck. Jack, who has an eye for a bargain, can’t resist an unusual offer that lands him in a whole load of trouble ... and not just with his Mum! Natural curiosity gets the better of him and before he knows it, he’s in the middle of an amazing adventure full of mystifying magic. ……and a rather cross giant!

Running Time: 40 minutes
Ticket Prices: adults £8, children and concessions £6, family ticket £24 for 4 seats (min 1 child)

August 14, 2005