Family friendly Christmas shows for 2009

Cheer up the credit crunch christmas this year with a family outing to the theatre. It doesn’t just have to be a pantomime however, there are plenty of alternatives on offer up and down the country.

Here is a list to name but a few happening this festive season.

The Show: The Nutcracker, Birmingham Royal Ballet
Where: Birmingham Hippodrome Theatre
When: 28th Nov – 13th Dec 2009
Ticket prices: £15 - £45 (visit website below for more information)
What’s it about: A Christmas ballet classic. Go on a magical adventure with Clara and her Nutcracker prince through magical lands. Breath-taking scenery and all the well-known music.
Find out more at the website

The Show: Holiday on Ice 2010 - Spirit
Where: The Brighton Centre
When: 7th-24th Jan 2010
Ticket prices: Adults £14.50 - £29.50, Children £10 children, Family on Friday (7:30pm show) £58
What’s it about: Spirit is an exhilarating journey from East to West through fire, earth and water for this years exciting Holiday on Ice performance. World-class ice skaters glide around the rink, recreating the ethnic splendour of Asia, the ancient magic of Stonehenge and the tribal gatherings of Native American Indians. A truly exciting cultural voyage, beautifully choreographed by Karen Kresge.
Find out more at the website

The Show: Chitty Chitty Bang Bang
Where: Oxford New Theatre
When: 8th Dec 2009 - 2nd Jan 2010
Ticket prices: £15 - £39.50 (visit website below for more information)
What’s it about: The most fantasmagorical stage musical in the history of everything, hits the road in top gear in a brand new high flying tour. This action-packed adventure is the story of the magical car, Chitty Chitty Bang Bang. Eccentric inventor Caractacus Potts, and his two children Jeremy and Jemima, alongside Truly Scrumptious and Grandpa Potts, all try and outwit the dastardly Baron and the famously evil Childcatcher. With all the well-known classic songs from the film, this ravishing award-winning show is guaranteed to be the most exciting theatrical event of the year!
Find out more at the website

The Show: We Will Rock You
Where: Edinburgh Playhouse Theatre
When: 4th Nov 2009– 9th Jan 2010
Ticket prices: £30 - £55 (see website below for more information)
What’s it about: Outstanding musical by Queen and Ben Elton which has wowed over 10 million theatre-goers since 2002. With 24 of Queens greatest hits stuffed into this fast-paced stunning show, it is a musical spectacular that must not be missed!
Find out more at the website

The Show: The Snowman
Where: Peacock Theatre, London
When: 2nd Dec 2009 – 10th Jan 2010
Tiicket prices: Individual tickets £12 - £30; Family of four £90 (visit website below for more information)
What’s it about: The stage adaptation of the Raymond Briggs’ Christmas classic story The Snowman. Follow the adventures of a young boy and his snowman to a magical land with reindeer and all the snowman’s friends.
Find out more at the website

The Show: The Sound of Music
Where: Manchester Palace Theatre
When: 15th Dec 2009 – 16th Jan 2010
Ticket prices: Vary according to date and time; Children half price (up to 2 per adult) on 15th-17th December. See website below for more information
What’s it about: Connie Fisher returns as Maria in this well-loved family musical. Discover the story of the Von Trapp family as they face turmoil and adventure at the beginning of the Second World War. All the classic songs to sing-along to for a memorable performance straight out of the West End.
Find out more at the website

The Show: The Lion, The Witch and The Wardrobe
Where: The Haymarket, Basingstoke
When: 4th Dec 2009– 2nd Jan 2010
Ticket prices: Adults £15.50 - £19, children £3 off, Family of four £50 - £64 (see website below for more details)
What’s it about: The stage production of C.S.Lewis’ classic children’s adventure. Join the four children on their adventures into the magical land of Narnia. Meet their animal friends and help Aslan to defeat the evil white witch. A true christmas treat for all the family to enjoy.
Find out more at the website

The Show: James and the Giant Peach
Where: Polka Theatre, Wimbledon
When: 13 Nov 2009 – 13 Feb 2010
Ticket prices: Weekdays £14, weekends £16
What’s it about: A stage adaptation of Roald Dahl’s classic children’s book. Join James and his friends on their exciting journey in the giant peach.
Find out more at the website

The Show: High School Musical 2
Where: Leeds Grand Theatre
When: 9th -14th Nov 2009
Ticket prices: Adults £10 - £33.50, Children £7.50 off (see website below for more information)
What’s it about: High energy kid’s fun. Join Troy and Gabriella for the second instalment of their High School Musical adventures. Features all the much loved hit songs from the film.
Find out more at the website

The Show: Chinese State Circus
Where: Kings Theatre, Glasgow
When: 19th – 24th Jan 2010
Ticket prices: Vary according to date and time. See website below for more information
What’s it about: The Chinese State Circus presents an action-packed extravaganza, bursting with acrobatics and the beautiful sounds of the spin-tingly good Peking Opera. Electrifying entertainment for the whole family.
Find out more at the website

The Show: Disney on Ice – Princess Wishes
Where: Liverpool Echo Arena
When: 25th – 29th Nov 2009
Ticket prices: Vary according to dat e and time. For more information, visit the website below
What’s it about: Enter a magical world with all your favourite Disney princesses for this ice skating spectacular!
Find out more at the website

The Show: Scrooge
Where: Hull New Theatre
When: 16th – 21st Nov 2009
Ticket prices: £13.50 - £35. Children get £3.50 off Monday-Thursday. For special deals and more information, visit the website below
What’s it about: The ideal winter treat, Scrooge is a heart-warming family story with stunning sets and costumes, specially created illusions by magician Paul Kieve (acclaimed for the magic effects in the Harry Potter films) and a fantastic musical score which features the Oscar nominated hit Thank You Very Much. Stars Tommy Steele.
Find out more at the website