Why Family Theatre is Winning This Half Term

I make no bones about my love of theatre, I love taking the kids and sometimes watch them and their reactions as much as the actual show. Theatre is such an amazing experience and I feel privileged to be able to share it with my kids

But this half term there really is so much choice across my favourite North East venues

The Customs House have Wendy the Witch and the Long Lost Spell running from Monday, October 23, to Wednesday, October 25, with shows at 2pm. Tickets, priced £7.50. Will Wendy escape the Goblin Kings Curse ? The Customs House also have Harry Panto and the Chamber Pot of Secrets on Thursday, October 26, at 1.30pm and 6pm and There will also be Halloween-themed crafts in the October Half Term Mini and Mega Maker Arty Spooktacular on Monday, October 23. Children aged 11 and under will create squashed toads, paper pumpkins and monster puppets between 11am and 2pm, while children aged 11 to 13 will tackle a different creepy creative challenge between 2pm and 4pm. The cost is £2 per child and grown-ups are required to stay with their children for the Mini Makers session between 11am and 2pm, while Mega Makers, between 2pm and 4pm, is a grown-up free zone

Tyne Theatre and Opera House have the ever popular Liz Pichon and The Tom Gates Brilliant Bands Tour on Friday at 1pm, Join Liz as she presents TOM GATES BRILLIANT BANDS AND DOODLE LIVE TOUR, a hugely fun-packed & INTERACTIVE monster drawing event with live music! Bring a pencil and paper, learn to doodle just like Tom and hear DUDE3 Tom’s FAVOURITE band in the whole WIDE world play some excellent tunes. There’s stories and music and a chance to meet Liz and the band after the show

Northern Stage Have loads of shows to choose from but our top pick its the beautiful BalletLORENT's Rumpelstiltskin. BalletLORENT have a truly special place in my heart, my biggest babies experienced their first ever ballet with this company and it was a most magical performance (search youtube for 'BalletLorent Underneath the Floorboards'). You definitely will not regret choosing to take your family to one of their performances

And last but by no means least

Alphabetti Theatre have 'Walter' Showing between 24th October and 3rd November (check venue for times) £8 er ticket A play with people and shadows written by Steve Byron & directed by Ali Pritchard Leaving his wife Rosie and daughter Ivy behind on Tyneside, Bob enlists with the 9th Battalion, Northumberland Fusiliers. After a short training he is posted to the front lines of the Western Front. Walter, Bob’s precious champion homing pigeon travels with him.Bob soon witnesses the true horror of war culminating in a big push over the top into a bloody battle over territory. After a fierce fire fight lasting for days, Bob becomes pinned down, injured and with little chance of rescue. It is up to Walter to carry an important message across the trenches and the battlefields, above the mud, blood and across the waters.
Embarking on an “adventure to end all adventures”, Walter must face dangers at every turn, but with bravery and determination to fulfil his master’s one final wish.

So these are our Theatrical choices for half term which do you fancy?