Kids Week 2023: theatre characters descend onto Leicester Square
The summer holidays just got better!
Official London Theatre celebrated their annual audience development initiative, Kids Week, by inviting key characters from theatreland down to their TKTS Booth in Leicester Square – the heart of London’s West End.
Just shy of a dozen family and long-running shows descended onto the square, with over 20 different characters coming together to celebrate the campaign. The casts enjoyed interactions with the public and theatre fans queueing up to buy their tickets and were even joined by two of the stars from Kids Bop, a children’s music group, who were conducting interviews with characters.
West End favourites like The Choir Of Man, Crazy For You, Grease, and The Mousetrap were in attendance, as well as the kids shows here for the summer holidays, like Blippi: The Wonderful World Tour, Hairy, Horrible Histories: Terrible Tudors, I Believe In Unicorns, The Smeds And The Smoos, Three Billy Goats Gruff and The Tiger Who Came To Tea.
For the first time ever, Kids Week is running for the whole summer holidays, so from 17th July, through to the end of August, children can go free to over 40 top London shows. The scheme allows one child to go to the theatre FOR FREE along with a full priced adult ticket.
This year’s Kids Week is offering more performances than ever before, with over 150,000 tickets still available to book.
Here we'll dive into everything you need to know including how the scheme works, where to buy tickets and which shows you can see!
What is Kids Week?
Kids Week is designed to give kids more access to theatre by offering a free ticket to any child 17 and under when accompanied by a paying adult. The scheme began back in 1998 and has grown into a huge success with parents taking advantage of the brilliant scheme every summer!
When is Kids Week 2023?
From 17th July, through to the end of August.
How do I get tickets for Kids Week performances?
Booking for Kids Week is now open and is available exclusively from the Official London Theatre website. Tickets are only available for select performances and are limited per performance.
How much are Kids Week tickets?
Tickets for Kids Week work out as one free child's ticket along with a full price adult's ticket and additional children can go at half-price.
What is the age limit for Kids Week?
17 or under can go to any participating show for free where tickets are available as long as they’re accompanied by a full paying adult.
The minimum age will depend on the specific show, if you're booking for very young children we recommend you check the 'Age & Content Guide' tab when on the booking website.
How many Kids Week tickets can I buy?
You can buy a maximum of eight tickets which has a limit of four adults, if your party includes more than four children there needs to be a minimum of two adults.
Adults can also buy up to two extra children’s tickets at half price and there are no booking fees.
Which shows are included in Kids Week?
There is a wide variety of shows that the whole family can enjoy, including SpongeBob The Musical, Wicked and The Wizard of Oz. Plus hit shows for younger children such as Horrible Histories: Terrible Tudors, The Smeds And The Smoos and The Tiger Who Came To Tea, and shows that teens will love like Grease The Musical, Rodgers & Hammerstein’s Oklahoma! and Tina - The Tina Turner Musical, and many more.
The full list is constantly being updated so make sure you check it out at the official website for Kids Week!
Can I book Access tickets?
If you or someone you're booking for require Access tickets you can check out this handy list that offers the appropriate contact emails for each theatre as they will have the best information regarding accessibility at their venue.
What if my show is cancelled?
If the performance you've booked through the Kids Week website has been cancelled your be tickets will be refunded.
Have a look at musicals from this year:
The Bodyguard
Where: UK and Ireland tour
When: From 28th January 2023
Based on the hit 90's film and packed with the hit music of Whitney Huston, The Bodyguard will be back in UK theatres as the musical heads on tour.
The UK and Ireland tour will open at King's Theatre in Glasgow on 28th January 2023 and star former Pussycat Doll Melody Thornton as Rachel Marron.
Oklahoma!
Where: Wyndhams Theatre, London
When: 16th February - 2nd September 2023
Following a sell-out run at the Young Vic, Daniel Fish's revival of Rodgers and Hammerstein's Oklahoma! will get a West End run at the Wyndhams Theatre.
Annie
Where: UK and Ireland tour
When: From 25th February 2023
The musical many of us watched on the screen as kids will be back on the stage in 2023 as Annie heads on another UK tour.
The tour will open at the Curve Theatre in Leicester on 25th February 2023.
Guys & Dolls
Where: The Bridge Theatre, London
When: From 3rd March 2023
The Bridge Theatre in London will are putting on their first musical with an immersive production of Guys & Dolls. The brand new production is currently booking through until 24th February 2024.
Titanic The Musical
Where: UK and Ireland tour
When: From 16th March
Ten years after its UK premiere, Titanic The Musical returns for a UK tour in 2023. The musical will open at the Churchill Theatre in Bromley on 16th March 2023.
Winnie the Pooh the Musical
Where: Riverside Studios, London; UK and Ireland tour
When: From 17th March 2023
One of the most adorable musicals to ever be on Broadway is arriving in the UK in 2023. Based on the children's book and the Disney animation, Winnie the Pooh the Musical will run a limited season in Hammersmith, London before heading on a UK and Ireland tour beginning in June.
Operation Mincemeat
Where: Fortune Theatre, London
When: 29th March to 23rd September 2023
Set in 1943 and following the true story of the twisted secret mission that helped win World War II. Following several successful runs over the past few years, Operation Mincemeat will get its West End debut this March.
Ain't Too Proud
Where: Prince Edward Theatre, London
When: From 31st March
After a successful run on Broadway, Ain't Too Proud, the jukebox musical about The Temptations will run in the West End.
The SpongeBob Musical
Where: UK and Ireland tour
When: From 5th April 2023
Are you ready kids? The SpongeBob Musical is getting its UK premiere in April as it kicks off a UK and Ireland tour. The tour will feature a summer run at the Queen Elizabeth Hall in London. The production will star Gareth Gates as Squidward (at some venues) and Divina de Campo as Plankton.
Greatest Days
Where: UK and Ireland tour
When: From 5th May 2023
The official Take That musical returns with a brand new name! The Band is now titled Greatest Days as the musical returns for a new UK and Ireland tour this year, the same year the musical's film adaptation - also titled Greatest Days - will be released.
Mrs. Doubtfire
Where: Shaftesbury Theatre, London
When: From 12th May 2023
Based on the beloved Robin Williams film, the musical adaptation of Mrs. Doubtfire arrives in the West End following a run on Broadway and a tryout in Manchester.
Aspects of Love
Where: Lyric Theatre, London
When: 12th May to 19th August 2023
Michael Ball will star in a revival of Andrew Lloyd Webber, Don Black and Charles Hart's Aspects of Love in 2023. Michael starred in the original production in 1989.
42nd Street
Where: Curve Theatre, Leicester; Sadlers Wells, London; UK tour
When: From 17th May 2023
A brand new revival of 42nd Street will arrive in 2023 in a joint production by Leicester's Curve Theatre and Sadler's Wells in London.
42nd Street will first run at the Curve Theatre from 17th May 2023 before a summer run at Sadler's Wells from 7th June 2023. But if you can't get to Leicester or London worry not as the production will then be heading on a UK tour!
Groundhog Day
Where: The Old Vic, London
When: 20th May to 20th August 2023
Based on the hit film that starred Bill Murray, the musical adaptation of Groundhog Day is returning to The Old Vic in 2023. The musical features music and lyrics by Tim Minchin and Andy Karl will reprise his Olivier Award-winning role as TV weatherman Phil Connors.
Grease
Where: Dominion Theatre, London
When: 2nd June to 28th October 2023
After Grease's return to the West End was such a hit in 2022, the iconic musical is returning to the Dominion Theatre for another summer run in 2023!
We Will Rock You
Where: London Coliseum, London
When: 2nd June to 27th August 2023
Almost a decade after they bid farewell to the Dominion Theatre, Queen and Ben Elton's We Will Rock You is returning to the West End with a brand new production coming to the London Coliseum for a limited run.
A Strange Loop
Where: Barbican Theatre, London
When: 17th June to 9th September
Having just finished its Broadway run earlier this year, the Pulitzer Prize and Tony Award-winning musical A Strange Loop will get its London debut at the Barbican in summer 2023.
Written by Michael R. Jackson, A Strange Loop tells the story of Usher - a young, gay, Black writer. He hates his day job so her writes a musical about a young, gay, Black writer who's writing a musical about a young, gay, Black writer…a strange loop.
The Wizard of Oz
Where: The London Palladium, London
When: 23rd June to 3rd September 2023
There's no place like the Palladium this summer as the Curve Theatre's production of The Wizard of Oz is following the yellow brick road all the way to the West End. The production features songs from the 1939 film alongside the new music written by Andrew Lloyd Webber and Tim Rice.
The production will then be heading on tour later this year.
Crazy For You
Where: Gillian Lynne Theatre, London
When: 24th June 2023 to 20th January 2024
After a sold-out run at the Chichester Festival Theatre last year, Crazy For You comes to the West End for a six month run with Charlie Stemp and Carly Anderson reprising their roles.
Miss Saigon
Where: Crucible Theatre, Sheffield
When: 8th July to 12th August 2023
The first regional, non-replica production of Miss Saigon is being produced by Sheffield Theatres and will feature Joanna Ampil - who has played Kim in previous productions - as The Engineer.
The Sound of Music
Where: Festival Theatre, Chichester
When: 10th July to 3rd September 2023
Rodgers & Hammerstein's beloved musical The Sound of Music is back this year with a production by the Chichester Festival Theatre, Gina Beck will play the role of Maria.
Shrek the Musical
Where: UK and Ireland tour
When: From 21st July 2023
Freak flags will be flying when a brand-new production of Shrek the Musical will head on a UK and Ireland tour in 2023! The tour will begin at the Theatre Royal Plymouth on 21st July 2023.
Rock Follies
Where: Minerva Theatre, Chichester
When: 24th July to 26th August 2023
Based on the 70s TV show of the same name, a new musical Rock Follies will run as a part of the Chichester Festival Theatre's 2023 season.
The Lord of the Rings
Where: Watermill Theatre, Newbury
When: 25th July to 15th October 2023
The Watermill Theatre are bringing Bag End to Bagnor this summer with their revival of the musical adaptation of The Lord of the Rings. Audiences are set to be immersed in the magical landscape of Tolkien as both the Watermill's auditorium and gardens will be used.
La Cage aux Folles
Where: Regent's Park Open Air Theatre, London
When: 29th July to 16th September 2023
Harvey Fierstein and Jerry Herman's La Cage aux Folles will close the 2023 season at the Regent's Park Open Air Theatre running from 29th July to 16th September.
Next to Normal
Where: Donmar Warehouse, London
When: 12th August to 7th October 2023
14 years after opening on Broadway, Tom Kitt and Brian Yorkey's Next to Normal will get its UK premiere at the Donmar Warehouse a part of their 30th anniversary season.
LIZZIE
Where: Hope Mill Theatre, Manchester; Tour
When 1st to 30th September 2023 (Manchester)
Based on the story of Lizzie Borden, who was accused of murdering her father and stepmother with an axe in the late summer of 1892, LIZZIE will run at the Hope Mill Theatre before heading on tour.
Rebecca
Where: Charing Cross Theatre, London
When: 4th September to 18th November 2023
After several successful productions across the world, the musical adaptation of Daphne Du Maurier's Rebecca will finally be getting its English language premiere when it opens at the Charing Cross Theatre in 2023.
Everybody's Talking About Jamie
Where: UK tour
When: From 7th September 2023
Having only finished their first tour in 2022, Jamie's coming back to a city near you in 2023/24!
Everybody's Talking About Jamie will set off on their second tour from 7th September 2023 starting with The Lowry in Salford.
Jesus Christ Superstar
Where: UK tour
When: From 11th September 2023
The Olivier Award-winning Regent's Park Open Air Theatre production of Jesus Christ Superstar returns to the UK for a tour beginning later this year.
The Drifters Girl
Where: UK and Ireland tour
When: From 12th September 2023
The story of The Drifters and their incredible manager Faye Treadwell will return to the stage in 2023 following the West End production's closure in October 2022.
The Drifters Girl will head on a UK tour from September 2023 starting at the Mayflower Theatre in Southampton.
Sunset Boulevard
Where: Savoy Theatre, London
When: 18th September 2023 to 6th January 2024
Three decades after the original production first ran in London, a brand-new revival of Andrew Lloyd Webber's Sunset Boulevard comes to the Savoy Theatre for a limited run. Nicole Scherzinger will play the iconic role of Norma Desmond.
Sinatra The Musical
Where: Birmingham Rep, Birmingham
When 23rd September to 18th October 2023
A brand-new musical focusing on the life and work of Frank Sinatra will debut in Birmingham this year. The creative team od Sinatra The Musical features Tony Award-winning writer Joe DiPietro and Olivier and Tony-winner director and choreographer Kathleen Marshall.
The Time Traveller's Wife
Where: Apollo theatre, London
When: From 8th October 2023
Based on Audrey Niffenegger's best-selling novel and its 2009 film adaptation, the musical adaptation of The Time Traveller's Wife will get its West End debut this autumn. This follows a successful run that took place last year in Chester.
Pretty Woman
Where: UK and Ireland tour
When: From 17th October 2023
With a successful run in the West End, Pretty Woman is heading on tour across the UK and Ireland with the tour kicking off in Birmingham.
To Wong Foo The Musical
Where: Hope Mill Theatre, Manchester
When: 21st October to 17th December 2023
Based on the cult classic, To Wong Foo is getting its s musical theatre premiere this year when the production opens at Manchester's Hope Mill Theatre. Douglas Carter Beane, who wrote the film's screenplay returns to write the book and direct the production.
Disney's Aladdin
Where: UK and Ireland tour
When: From 24th October 2023
The beloved stage adaptation of Disney's Aladdin will be running in the UK once again as the musical will head on its first ever UK and Ireland tour beginning in Edinburgh in October.
I Should Be So Lucky
Where: UK tour
When: From 1st November 2023
A new jukebox musical featuring the work of Stock Aitken Waterman will get its world premiere in November as it heads on tour. I Should Be So Lucky will feature songs made famous by Kylie Minogue, Rick Astley, Jason Donovan and Bananarama.
Hamilton
Where: UK tour
When: From 11th November 2023
Lin-Manuel Miranda's Olivier, Tony and Pulitzer Prize-winning musical Hamilton is heading on its first ever UK tour this year. Kicking off at the Manchester Opera House in November with more venues on the route in 2024.
Elf the Musical
Where: Dominion Theatre, London
When: 15th November 2023 to 6th January 2024
Based on the beloved Christmas film that starred Will Ferrell, the musical adaptation of Elf returns the Dominion for another Christmas season.
Oliver!
Where: Leeds Playhouse, Leeds
When: 27th November 2023 to 27th January 2024
Lionel Bart's iconic musical adaptation of Oliver Twist by Charles Dickens returns to the UK with a brand-new revival by the Leeds Playhouse.
Wicked
Where: UK and Ireland tour
When: From 7th December 2023
Whilst Wicked continues to run in the West End, the musical will embark on another UK and Ireland tour beginning with the Edinburgh Playhouse in December 2023.
Roman Holiday
Where: Theatre Royal Bath
When: 10th June to 1st July 2023(CLOSED)
A new Cole Porter musical is coming this summer with the stage adaptation of Roman Holiday which is based on the Academy Award-winning film of the same name that starred Audrey Hepburn.
Assassins
Where: Festival Theatre, Chichester
When: 3rd to 24th June 2023(CLOSED)
The boom of Sondheim revivals continues with Chichester bringing back his tale of Presidential murderers (and those that tried to be), Assassins.
How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying
Where: Southwark Playhouse, London
When: 12th May to 17th June 2023 (CLOSED)
Based on the novel of the same name, Frank Loesser and Abe Burrows' How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying is coming to London with Drag Race royalty Michelle Visage featuring as the voice of 'The Book'.
Head Over Heels
Where: Hope Mill Theatre, Manchester
When: 26th January to 4th March 2023 (Closed)
Featuring the music of 80s band The Go-Go's, Head Over Heels had its UK premiere in 2023 when a production opened at Manchester's Hope Mill Theatre.
While the music is made up of 80s hits by the all-female rock band, the plot is based on The Arcadia which was written by Sir Philip Sidney in the 16th century.
Sylvia
Where: The Old Vic, London
When: 27th January to 1st April 2023 (CLOSED)
The highly-anticipated hip hop musical Sylvia, - which tells the story Sylvia Pankhurst - will get its world premiere at the Old Vic next year. The musical starred Sharon Rose as Sylvia Pankhurst and Beverley Knight as Emmeline Pankhurst.
Betty Blue Eyes
Where: Union Theatre, London
When: 29th March to 22nd April 2023 (CLOSED)
The 2011 stage musical comedy Betty Blue Eyes returned for a limited run in London this year at the Union Theatre. Set in 1947, war has ended but Britain's citizens are suffering under the burden of food rationing, high unemployment and the coldest winter for decades.
Featuring a retro contemporary score by George Stiles and Anthony Drewe, with a book by Ron Cowen and Daniel Lipman, adapted and expanded from Alan Bennett and Malcolm Mowbray's hilariously funny and sharply observed comic film 'A Private Function'.
The Great British Bake Off Musical
Where: Noël Coward Theatre, London
When: 25th February until 13th May 2023 (CLOSED)
Following a run in Cheltenham, The Great British Bake Off Musical is getting a 12 week run at the Noël Coward Theatre with John Owen-Jones reprising his role as judge Phil Hollinghurst.
Bonnie & Clyde The Musical
Where: Garrick Theatre, London
When: 4th March to 21st May 2023 (CLOSED)
After a run at the Arts Theatre in 2022, Bonnie & Clyde will be making a return to the West End with a limited run at the Garrick Theatre with Jordan Luke Gage and Frances Mayli McCann reprising their roles.
The production will head on tour in 2024.
Eugenius!
Where: Turbine Theatre, London
When: 17th March to 28th May 2023 (CLOSED)
After becoming a cult favourite following its earlier run at The Other Palace, a new, reworked version of the show will come to the Turbine Theatre in Battersea in the spring of 2023.
Once on This Island
Where: Regent's Park Open Air Theatre, London
When: 10th May to 10th June 2023 (CLOSED)
Regent's Park Open Air Theatre are kicking off their 2023 season with a revival of Stephen Flaherty and Lynn Ahrens' Once on This Island running from 10th May to 10th June 2023.
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