A trip to the theatre or an outdoor performance is a real treat in the school holidays. There’s plenty of fantastic family theatre and kids shows in Hertfordshire, Buckinghamshire and Bedfordshire this Summer.
If you’re looking for fantastic family theatre in London then take a look my guide to London Shows for Kids this Summer… but before you do, make sure you check out the gems that Hertfordshire, Buckinghamshire and Bedfordshire have to offer. You can see Aliens Love Underpants, have a picnic and enjoy Treasure Island, or see Mr Stink or Gangsta Granny adapted from David Walliams’ bestsellers!
The weather can change and so can the details of events, so please check directly with the venue or organisers, BEFORE you travel.
Chickenshed Theatre – Mr Stink
Chase Side, London, N14 4PE
Chickenshed proudly presents the musical adaptation of David Walliams’ acclaimed book Mr Stink. The very kind, but lonely, 12 year old Chloe invites the homeless Mr Stink and his dog to leave behind the wooden bench where they have taken up residence and secretly move into her family’s shed. Matters become more complicated when Chloe’s mother tries to take credit for Chloe’s generosity. And precisely who is Mr Stink anyway? Visit the Chickenshed Theatre on Friday 19th and Saturday 20th July 2019 for a brilliantly staged version of this warm-hearted and funny story. You’ll laugh. You’ll cry. You might want to hold your nose. Suitable for children aged 6 years old and above. Visit the website to book tickets or for more information.
The Market Theatre Hitchin – Spec-Tacular
6A Sun Street, Hitchin, Hertfordshire, SG5 1AE
For one day only, Saturday 20th July 2019, Tiny T’s Theatre will be performing their debut children’s show at The Market Theatre, Hitchin, before heading off to the Edinburgh Fringe Festival! Spec-Tacular is a fun interactive show with an important message. The performance will take place in the Studio and it will be relaxed, cosy environment. The children will even get the opportunity to meet the cast and the puppets after the show. Suitable for children aged 3-10 years old. Visit the website to book tickets or for more information.
Waddesdon Manor – A Midsummer’s Night Dream
Aylesbury, Buckinghamshire, HP18 0JH
On Saturday 20th July 2019, come and enjoy A Midsummer Night’s Dream, performed by the UK’s premier all male theatre company, The Lord Chamberlain’s Men. This supernatural comedy of mischievous fairies, confused lovers and rude mechanicals is an intoxicating tale of clarity found from chaos as tangled love gives way to happily ever afters. Bring a low back chair, a picnic and enjoy a summer’s evening watching one of Shakespeare’s best-loved comedies, performed in the open air. The show must go on regardless of the weather, so dress appropriately. Picnics are welcome. No BBQs. Recommended for 14 years+. Advance booking is essential. Visit the website to book tickets or for more information.
Hertford Theatre – Aliens Love Underpants
The Wash, Hertford, Hertfordshire, SG14 1PS
On Friday 26th and Saturday 27th July 2019, visit Hertford Theatre to see Aliens Love Underpants. Based on the book by Clare Freedman and Ben Cort, this zany and hilarious tale is wonderfully brought to life on stage. With stunning effects, madcap action, original music and lots of aliens, this fresh and funny production will delight the whole family. You’ll laugh your pants off! Recommended for children aged 3-8 years old and their families. Visit the website to book tickets or for more information.
Gordon Craig Theatre – Mr Stink
Stevenage Arts & Leisure Centre, Lytton Way, Stevenage, Hertfordshire, SG1 1LZ
See Mr Stink from Thursday 1st to Saturday 3rd August 2019 for a brilliantly staged version of this warm-hearted and funny story. The very kind, but lonely, 12 year old Chloe invites the homeless Mr Stink and his dog to leave behind the wooden bench where they have taken up residence and secretly move into her family’s shed. Matters become more complicated when Chloe’s mother tries to take credit for Chloe’s generosity. And precisely who is Mr Stink anyway? You’ll laugh. You’ll cry. You might want to hold your nose. Chickenshed proudly presents the musical adaptation of David Walliams’ acclaimed book Mr Stink. Chickenshed is an inclusive theatre company that brings people together, regardless of background, ability or circumstance to create inspiring, diverse and transformative theatre that changes lives. Suitable for children aged 6 years old and above. Visit the website to book tickets or for more information.
Radlett Centre – Aliens Love Underpants
Aldenham Avenue, Radlett, Hertfordshire, WD7 8HL
From Tuesday 6th to Thursday 8th August 2019, visit the Radlett Centre to see Aliens Love Underpants. Based on the book by Clare Freedman and Ben Cort, this zany and hilarious tale is wonderfully brought to life on stage. With stunning effects, madcap action, original music and lots of aliens, this fresh and funny production will delight the whole family. You’ll laugh your pants off! Recommended for children aged 3-8 years old and their families. Visit the website to book tickets or for more information.
Hatfield House – A Midsummer Night’s Dream
The Elephant Dell, Hatfield House, Hatfield, Hertfordshire, AL9 5AE
On Sunday 11th August 2019, come to the Elephant Dell at Hatfield House for a special, open air performance of A Midsummer Night’s Dream, brought to you by The Lord Chamberlain’s Men. Bring a low back chair and a picnic and spend a glorious summer’s evening watching one of Shakespeare’s best-loved comedies. Performed in the open air, by an all male cast with Elizabethan costumes, music and dance, the show must go on, so make sure you dress for the weather. Visit the website to book tickets or for more information.
Hatfield House – Treasure Island
The Elephant Dell, Hatfield House, Hatfield, Hertfordshire, AL9 5AE
On Wednesday 14th August 2019, come to the Elephant Dell at Hatfield House for a special, open air performance of Treasure Island, brought to you by Chapterhouse Theatre Company. Bring a low back chair and a picnic and spend a glorious summer’s evening watching one this much-loved story. Performed in the open air, the show must go on, so make sure you dress for the weather. Visit the website to book tickets or for more information.
Waddesdon Manor – Wind In The Willows
Aylesbury, Buckinghamshire, HP18 0JH
On Friday 23rd August 2019, come and enjoy Wind In The Willows, performed by Quantum Theatre. Join Mole, Ratty and Badger on their mad-cap adventures in this new adaptation of a story loved by families for generations. The show must go on regardless of the weather, so dress appropriately. Picnics are welcome. No BBQs. Advance booking is essential.ย Visit the website to book tickets or for more information.
Watersmeet Theatre – Mr Stink
High Street, Rickmansworth, Hertfordshire, WD3 1EH
See Mr Stink from Sunday 25th to Tuesday 27th August 2019 for a brilliantly staged version of this warm-hearted and funny story. The very kind, but lonely, 12 year old Chloe invites the homeless Mr Stink and his dog to leave behind the wooden bench where they have taken up residence and secretly move into her family’s shed. Matters become more complicated when Chloe’s mother tries to take credit for Chloe’s generosity. And precisely who is Mr Stink anyway? You’ll laugh. You’ll cry. You might want to hold your nose. Chickenshed proudly presents the musical adaptation of David Walliams’ acclaimed book Mr Stink. Chickenshed is an inclusive theatre company that brings people together, regardless of background, ability or circumstance to create inspiring, diverse and transformative theatre that changes lives. Suitable for children aged 6 years old and above. Visit the website to book tickets or for more information.
Forty Hall – Gangsta Granny
Forty Hill, Enfield, EN2 9HA
On Thursday 29th August 2019, at 5pm, don’t miss Gangsta Granny at Forty Hall. Meet Ben, an 11 year old boy fed up with spending his Friday nights at granny’s. All granny wants to do is play scrabble and eat cabbage! But, granny has a secret… Ben’s granny is an international jewel thief and she needs his help to pull off her biggest heist yet… stealing the crown jewels! This is an outdoor theatre event, so make sure you dress for the weather and bring your picnics, blankets and fold-up chairs. Suitable for children aged 7 years old and above and their families. Visit the website to book tickets or for more information.
Hertford Theatre – The Tiger Who Came To Tea
The Wash, Hertford, Hertfordshire, SG14 1PS
On Friday 30th, Saturday 31st August and Sunday 1st September 2019, visit the Hertford Theatre to see The Tiger Who Came To Tea. The doorbell rings just as Sophie and her mummy are sitting down to tea. Who could it possibly be? What they certainly don’t expect to see is a big, stripy tiger! Join the tea-guzzling tiger in this delightful family show, packed with oodles of magic, sing-a-long songs and clumsy chaos. Recommended for children aged 3-7 years old and their families. Visit the website to book tickets or for more information.
Radlett Centre – Hey Diddle Diddle
Aldenham Avenue, Radlett, Hertfordshire, WD7 8HL
On Friday 30th August 2019, visit the Radlett Centre to see Hey Diddle Diddle, a hilarious adventure filled with music and puppetry from Goblin Theatre. When the full moon shines bright there’s magic in the air and all the animals come out to play. Stay up late with flying cows, jazzy cats and runaway crockery. With original songs played live on stage, brilliant puppetry and lots of laughter, this new show is a wild and musical celebration of the importance of the imagination. Suitable for children aged 3-7 years old and their families. Visit the website to book tickets or for more information.
Wycombe Swan – Milkshake Live! Monkey’s Amazing Musical
St Mary Street, High Wycombe, Buckinghamshire, HP11 2XE
On Saturday 31st August 2019, visit the Wycombe Swan to see Milkshake! Live – Milkshake Monkey’s Musical. Milkshake Monkey can’t wait to put on a spectacular new musical for you all. But when stage fright hits… his favourite Milkshake friends come to help, creating the most dazzling show you have ever seen. Suitable for children aged 3-7 years old and their families. Visit the website to book tickets or for more information.
Details of events are correct at the time of publishing.
Please check the details of an event directly with the venue or organisers, before you travel.
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