Are you hoping to introduce your little ones to the theatre for the first time this year?
The Marlowe Theatre in Canterbury is a great place to start
They have wonderful offerings for children of all ages
From big stage productions to smaller more intimate shows
As well as the main theatre The Marlowe also has The Studio and The Kit
They are definitely worth checking out
For theatre and music shows for all the family
Here are some of the highlights for 2020
A wonderful way to introduce toddlers to theatre
Is to bring them to see a familiar favourite live on stage
Peppa is perfect for this
The shows are very clever and feature all Peppa’s friends from the TV show
Modern theatre based on a traditional nursery rhyme
Bo Peep needs your help!
Watch the adventures of Bo Peep unravel as she tries to rescue her woolly friends! Counting her sheep always sends Bo Peep off to sleep by bedtime, but with no sign of them yet she’ll be up all night searching. Bo Peep needs you and your family’s help to save her little lambkins from danger in time for bed!
Award-winning theatre company, Knuckle and Joint bring you a brand new magical adaptation of well-loved nursery rhyme, Little Bo Peep. It is a perfect theatre introduction for your little ones with an interactive story and sensory learning. Look out for a flock of woollen puppets, original music and sheep themed silliness.
This is a show for older children
Ages 7+
A watery adventure!
Maya loves water! Swimming in the sea, splashing in her paddling pool. But one summer’s day, she gets sucked up the bathroom tap – SQUOOSH! – and along the water pipes! WHOOAAHHHH!
Arriving in a strange new land, Maya goes on an exciting journey, plunging into rivers, discovering oceans and battling unexpected villains! Maya begins to think again about water. How there can be too much, too little, or when it’s too dirty. And maybe, just maybe, she can do something to help. And that maybe we can help, too..?
Onstage, there’s a paddling pool full of water and you get the chance to make the show’s soundtrack with live beatboxing and watery sound effects! Oh and watch out for the water pistol fight – don’t get squirted!
Gulp! is a moving, magical story and interactive story dripping with fun, unexpected twists and turns, and watery surprises. Following a child’s natural curiosity to find out and understand more about the world beyond their own life experience, it’s also a story about the beauty and challenges of water in an age of oil, plastic and climate change. A story about learning to care about the world, its people and its natural resources.
One for theatre goers aged 10+
“Stories are wild creatures, the monster said. When you let them loose, who knows what havoc they might wreak?”
Patrick Ness’ piercing novel A Monster Calls is brought vividly to life in the Olivier award-winning production by visionary director Sally Cookson.
Thirteen-year-old Conor and his mum have managed just fine since his dad moved. But now his mum is sick and not getting any better. His grandmother won’t stop interfering and the kids at school won’t look him in the eye. Then, one night, Conor is woken by something at his window. A monster has come walking. It’s come to tell Conor tales from when it walked before. And when it’s finished, Conor must tell his own story and face his deepest fears.
From the critically-acclaimed bestseller, A Monster Calls offers a dazzling insight into love, life and healing.
We are really excited about this one as we LOVE the books
I think this would be a wonderful first theatre experience
For children aged 4+
Based on the award-winning books by Benji Davies.
Noi lives with his Dad and six cats by the sea. One summer, while his Dad was busy at work, Noi rescued a little whale that washed up on the beach. A friendship began that changed their lives forever.
The following winter Noi’s Dad takes one last trip in his fishing boat. Noi is alone once more and longs to see his friend again. He waits and watches, watches and waits… will it take another storm to bring them back together?
Benji Davies’ tender and heartwarming children stories of friendship, love and courage are brought to life as one enchanting theatre show.
This amazing musical is coming to Canterbury!
One for older kids
The tales of Henry VIII’s wives
Through song
Divorced. Beheaded. Live!
Nominated for five Olivier Awards including Best New Musical, the sell-out London smash hit Six is the phenomenon everyone is losing their head over!
From Tudor queens to pop princesses, the six wives of Henry VIII finally take to the mic to tell their tales, remixing 500 years of historical heartbreak into a 80-minute celebration of 21st century girl power. These Queens may have green sleeves but their lipstick is rebellious red.
Think you know the rhyme, think again…
If you love the books
You will love the stage show
A perfect introduction to theatre for bookish toddlers!
Frog is looking for a place to sit, but Cat has other ideas and Dog is doing as he’s told.
Join Frog, Cat and Dog in this new action-packed stage adaptation of Kes Gray and Jim Field’s bestselling books. Expect songs, puppets, laughs and more rhymes than you can shake a chime at.
Who knew there were so many rhyming rules and what will happen when Frog is in charge? Original music, songs, puppets, laughs and more rhymes than you can shake a chime at!
We love Let’s All Dance Productions
They are inspirational for budding ballerinas
And a great way to see some ballet with littlest theatre goers
There are always photo opportunities on stage with the cast
After the show
Perfect for baby ballerinas and primary age princesses
A magical retelling of the fairytale classic through dance.
When a young Prince is in search of a bride the Queen insists it must be a real princess, after several months the Prince has not met anyone he likes. One night, a young woman turns up on the steps of the palace, the Queen takes one look at her muddy clothes and bedraggled hair and does not believe she is a real Princess.
That night the Queen sets the young woman a test. The young woman passes with flying colours and wins the heart of the Prince with her spirit and determination. Remember to never judge a book by its cover!
A charming show from Let’s All Dance for children and families to enjoy.
We are very excited about this one
If you have not read the book then you must
Then bring the kids
Age 8+
To see this thrilling family show
Stanley Yelnats can’t catch a break. Born into a family cursed with bad luck, it comes as no surprise when he finds himself accused of a crime he didn’t commit.
Sent to a labour camp as punishment, he is tasked with digging one hole, five foot wide by five foot deep, every day. He’s told it is to build ‘character’. But the tyrannical Warden is definitely hiding something. How will Stanley and his fellow inmates deal with her demands, her two cronies, plus the fearsome rattlesnakes and yellow-spotted lizards? And will Stanley and his new friends unearth what’s really going on?
Holes is the brilliant, inventive and creative new stage show based on the multi-award-winning novel and the Hollywood blockbuster.
This sounds great fun for children aged 4+
We love anything that promotes the power of play!
A world full of joy and chaos, where objects come to life.
What happens when a beatboxer, a singer and a puppeteer arrive on stage but nothing is ready? No set, no instruments, no puppets. No rules.
Celebrating the power of music, the power of play and the power of our imagination. A perfect show for little people who want to be Big, and Big people who… just might have forgotten how to play.
Cannot wait to read these books with Esther and William
Then take them to see the show
And enjoy a midnight feast on the train home!
Gotta love a bit of Enid Blyton!
Malory Towers is a new musical, full of high jinks, high drama and high spirits.
Darrell Rivers is starting school with an eager mind and fierce hearts. Unfortunately, she also has a quick temper! Can she learn to tolerate the infuriating Gwendoline Lacey, or value the kind-hearted Sally Hope? Can she save the school play and rescue terrified Mary Lou from the grip of a raging storm? If she can do these things anywhere, she will do them at Malory Towers!
Nostalgic, naughty and perfect for now, Malory Towers is the original ‘Girl Power’ story. Join us for high jinks, high drama and high spirits, all set to sensational live music and breathtaking animation. This is a show for girls, boys and all us grown-up children who still dream of midnight feasts and Cornish clifftops.
Based on the novels by Enid Blyton. Adapted and directed by Emma Rice (Wise Children, Kneehigh’s Brief Encounter), this is a show for children and all of us grown up children who still dream of midnight feasts, pillow fights and headmistresses like Miss Grayling.
Christmas is not Christmas without a family musical
And this is one that really does have all the magic of the season
White Christmas is coming to The Marlowe!!!
I am dreaming of it already
Make it a magical family Christmas in 2020 as the spectacular brand-new production of Irving Berlin’s White Christmas lights up our theatre, direct from the West End.
“This terrific dose of pure escapism” (The Times) is brought to life by acclaimed Curve artistic director Nikolai Foster (Annie, Breakfast At Tiffany’s) and two-time Olivier Award-winning choreographer Stephen Mear (Mary Poppins).
A timeless romantic comedy to warm the hearts of all ages. White Christmas features the classic songs Blue Skies, Sisters and the most famous festive song of all White Christmas.
A year of theatre at The Marlowe cannot pass without
The Marlowe Panto
With the wonderful fat man in a dress
Ben Roddy
We are so excited for this year’s pantomime
It has become a family tradition
There is only one pantomime on our must see list
And it is Jack and The Beanstalk
It’s the law!!
We adore The Marlowe Theatre
And we are lucky enough to sometimes work with them
This is not a review or preview post
It is just me shouting out about amazing theatre
Here in the county
If you are going to start your family theatre journey this year
You should think about starting it at The Marlowe
They have a lovely cafe with great coffee
Comfortable seats in all theatres with plenty of booster seats
Lots of clean loos
And it is easily accessible by car and public transport
We love The Marlowe and would love to know if you do too
What are you hoping to see on stage this year?
What would you like to see at The Marlowe?