From stage adaptations of Roald Dahl and Julia Donaldson to a magic comedy show and a dinosaur adventure, there are plenty of shows for all the family this summer school — plus a youngster-friendly spooky spectacular running up to Halloween.
James and the Giant Peach
The Garage, Chapel Field North, Norwich, October 20, 7.30pm, £15-£12, 01603 598646, thegarage.org.uk
In their most sizeable project yet, Norfolk theatre company Moss Banks Productions stage Roald Dahl's insect filled tale, masterfully adapted by David Wood, in a show bursting with magic, humour and excitement. When James Henry Trotter's parents are eaten by an escaped rhinoceros, he is sent to live with his two repulsive aunts, Sponge and Spiker. When an enormous peach grows in their back garden, James, together with a handful of very special insects, leaves behind the horrible aunts and sets off off on an enormous adventure.
Halloween Spooktacular
Hippodrome, Great Yarmouth, October 20-31, various times, £20-£16 (£17-£15 cons), £12-£10 children, discounts for families, 01493 844172, hippodromecircus.co.uk
Yarmouth Hippodrome's spooky experience written by comedy favourites Jack Jay and Johnny Mac. They will be joined by an amazing cast of international acts as they look to throw the biggest Halloween party ever and boasts the biggest spooky theatrical set yet, with all the action happening in an desolate fairground. The show runs daily at 2.30 and 6.30pm, with times varying on Sundays (1pm and 4pm). On Oct 30-31 only 6pm performances.
Fruit Salad!
Fisher Theatre, Bungay, October 21, 2.30pm, £7, £5 children, 01986 897130, fishertheatre.org
Treat the family to a wonderful magic show – full of magic, laughter and mayhem. Comedy magician Seska comes to town and his infectious, quick-fire energy will have kids laugh out loud with his award-winning show that contains magic, mayhem and happiness. A mad mix of exploding light bulbs, strange appearances and disappearances, sword swallowing, stunning card tricks, escaping from chains, sawing a lady in half, slapstick danger, happiness and craziness! Ages 3+
Three Billy Goats Gruff and Other Furry Tails
Norwich Puppet Theatre, October 21, 11am/2.30pm, £9, £30 family, 01603 629921, puppettheatre.co.uk
What really happened between the wolf and his three porky friends? Why was Goldilocks wandering in the woods? How did the goats overcome a mighty troll? All these perplexing fairy tale questions are explored and explained by the wonderful Theatre of Widdershins with the help of fun, laughter, some gorgeous puppets and a soundtrack that will stick in your head long after you've left the theatre.
The Gruffalo
Norwich Playhouse, until October 22, various times, £11.50, 01603 598598, norwichplayhouse.co.uk
Tall Stories return with a revival of their hit musical stage adaptation of the award-winning picture book by Julia Donaldson and Axel Scheffler. Mouse can scare hungry animals away with stories of the terrifying Gruffalo, but what happens when he comes face to face with the very creature he imagined...? This was so successful the company went on to do productions of Gruffalo's Child and Room on the Broom. A perfect family treat with plenty of songs, laughs and scary fun for children aged 3+.
The Chris & Pui Show
Norwich Theatre Royal, October 22, 11am/2pm, £12-£7, £10-£7 under-18s, 01603 630000, theatreroyalnorwich.co.uk
CBeebies' favourite double act are back in town with their new stage show with all the toys and characters from their hit programme Show Me Show Me. Incy Wincy, Twinkle, Old MacDonald, Humpty, Granny Humpty and many more will drop in along with the toys – Tom, Momo, Teddington, Stuffy and Miss Mouse. The show sticks to the same formula of songs, comedy sketches, a dash of magic and heaps of joining in, a family show for all. Ages 2+
So You Think You Know About Dinosaurs
Norwich Playhouse, October 23, 2pm, £10 (£8 cons), 01603 598598, norwichplayhouse.co.uk
Ben Garrod, the TV scientist in the BBC's Attenborough and the Giant Dinosaur, fronts this interactive show where children will be given the chance to ask questions and show off their dinosaur knowledge. With the help of footage from the BBC's Planet Dinosaur and photos of his own palaeontological digs, he will answer everything you ever wanted to know about dinosaurs including the deadliest predators that ever roamed the planet. Did dinosaurs eat their own families? Was every Tyrannosaur a fearsome carnivore? Ages 5+
Milkshake Live!
King's Lynn Corn Exchange, October 25, 12pm/4pm, £16.50-£14.50, 01553 764864, kingslynncornexchange.co.uk
An all new 2017 musical extravaganza set amongst Milkshake's magical bookcase that will again have young audiences up on their feet, singing along, and jumping with delight. The show's line-up features favourites characters including Little Princess, Bananas in Pyjamas, Noddy and Tessie Bear, Pip from Pip Ahoy! Chloe from Chloe's Closet, Tommy and Tallulah from Tickety Toc, Toby and Dolores from Toby's Travelling Circus and Milkshake's very own Milkshake Monkey.
Stick Man
Theatre Royal, Bury St Edmunds, October 26-27, £12.50-£10.50, 01284 769505, www.theatreroyal.org
The world is a dangerous place for Stick Man. A dog wants to play with him. A swan builds a nest with him. He even ends up on a fire! Will he ever get back to the family tree? Following three sell-out international tours and two West End runs, Scamp Theatre's delightful adaptation of Julia Donaldson and Axel Scheffler's returns. Touching, funny and utterly original, this delightful adaptation is packed full of puppetry, songs and live music, promises more fun than you can, well, shake a stick at! Age 3+
Much Ado About Puffin
Norwich Puppet Theatre, October 27-28, 11am/2.30pm, £9, £30 family, 01603 629921, puppettheatre.co.uk
On a small island, In the middle of the big sea, a man meets a puffin… Open Attic Theatre's first family show is an adventure that traverses stormy seas and reckless tides on a funny tale about a man all alone, a friendly puffin, and a whole lot of fuss over nothing. Using skillful puppetry, beautiful music, and good old fashioned storytelling, this is a show about old habits, new friendships, and stepping out into the unknown! Ages 4+
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