There is a wonky square in the middle of London’s West End which takes about 40 minutes to walk from one side to the other – this is Theatreland! At any one time, it is home to over 40 musicals, plays and comedies. It is a place full of magic and wonder, for all ages, and as such is the perfect family destination.
Theatre land. Credit: Lis Ferla
Although I have been working in Theatreland all my adult life and have been lucky to see all the great shows of the last 30 years, my children are only just now old enough to come with me and there are a lot of extra things to consider.
Fortunately my friend and colleague, Sara, is a little ahead of me and has been taking her boys to the theatre for the last 5 years. We are off to visit Charlie and the Chocolate Factory soon so I enlisted her help. Her suggestions were so valuable that we included them in the most recent edition of London Theatre and Theatre Breaks, but here are a few ideas if you are thinking of bringing little Etta and Johnny for their first London/UK trip – wherever you are coming from!
Seeing a Show
Immerse your children in the show before they see it. Choose something they know for your first show – buy the CD, see the film, read the book. Do anything to let the kids know what to expect. It is a good idea to do this before you even buy the tickets. It will improve the chances of them enjoying the show.
Ensure that your children know what level of behaviour is expected of them. My experience at Charlie was that Sophie was so enthralled by the show she hardly breathed throughout the first half, let alone spoke or wriggled. But just in case, if sweets are a good bribe then make sure they come in quiet wrappers. Don’t give them books or tablets to read. The auditorium will be too dark for books and you will be told to turn tablets, ipods, DS’s and mobiles etc, off.
Dressing up for the occasion always made it feel more “grown-up” for me when I was taken by my mum and dad – it might work for you too.
An Ice cream in the interval is admittedly expensive but a great alternative to a drink – anything to avoid spending the second half in the toilet.
Lastly, buy a programme and go round to the stage door after the show to get autographs. It makes a great memento and an exciting end to the experience.
Staying in London
There are not many hotels in London with proper family rooms. Expect to be offered rooms with two double beds for a family of four. Space is at a premium, especially in the centre, so for the best deals expect to look outside of the West End. Try looking for hotels in Kings Cross, Kensington or south of the river Thames for accommodation within easy access of Theatreland. The City, especially at weekends when the corporate crowd have left town, is often better value and a good alternative, but is a little further away from Theatreland.
Talking of prices, hotel rooms are usually the same price for up to four people. This means that with two adults, the first or second child are generally free. However, the first child travelling with just one adult will always pay the adult price. If you have more than two kids, you will most probably need to pay for two hotel rooms. Apartments are a great alternative, especially for a longer stay or for a larger family.
Getting Around London
Getting around London can be a joy or the worst experience of your life! Whether you are visiting London just for the day or for a family weekend break, there are several things you can do to make sure it is the former.
- Plan ahead – maps and interactive apps are there to help, including the iconic London Underground Map.
- Don’t rush – leave plenty of time to enjoy your journey and plan to get to the theatre half an hour before curtain up (you will need to anyway to collect tickets, buy a programme and go to the toilet).
- If possible, always catch a bus – it is great fun and you get a better idea of London.
- The tube can be very busy at rush hour, if possible avoid it then.
- Don’t be afraid to ask for directions. Londoners are friendly once they get over the surprise of being spoken to like human beings.
If you want to know more you can download London Theatre and Theatre breaks for free at http://www.theatrebreaks.co.uk/london-theatre-book
Look out for the competition to win a theatre break at the back.
