Greenwich Children's Theatre Festival

There’s a kids show every day over half term for budding young theatre lovers and their families at the Greenwich Children’s Theatre Festival, Greenwich, back for its eight consecutive year.

Opening the festival on Saturday 23 May are ten free family workshops where children: Big Workshop Day.

Children tired after a hard term at school can spend a couple of hours sitting quietly and listening to fairy-tales at Charlton House or Eltham Library whilst those with energy to burn can take their families to more boisterous events: perhaps a magic-trick lesson in Woolwich library or Bollywood dancing at Millennium Performing Arts or Samba carnival drumming in General Gordon Square would fit the bill?

Following the Big Workshop Day, there are a series of theatre events with everything from dance to stand-up comedy. London is spoilt for choice, but Culture Whisper has its eye on a few performances.

Pitschi the Kitten with Dreams

Then on Sunday 24 May, from 11am to 2pm it gets theatrical with the first performance aimed specifically at toddlers Pitschi: the Kitten with Dreams, based on Swiss author and illustrator Hans Fischer’s award-winning picture book. Expect music and physical theatre from a kitten who wishes to be anything but and would happily swap his feline form to become a chicken, or goat, or rabbit.

Suitable ages 2-6

AirQuarium

On Monday 25 May, the free bank holiday kids show AirQuarium is an immersive experience being staged in Greenwich Park. Tiny wildlife lovers and their families will be lead down to the bottom of the ocean by two strange scientists where they’ll find life-size puppets and mood-setting electronic sounds.

Suitable ages 3+

The Cat in the Hat

From Monday 25 May until Wednesday 27 May, Greenwich Theatre is hosting a revival of the National Theatre's The Cat in the Hat, based on Dr Seuss’s book. Katie Mitchell, OBE, adapted the children's book before the production was taken over by its current director, longtime actress Lillie Collier. Although Mitchell is described as "distinguished by the intensity of the emotions, the realism of the acting, and the creation of a very distinctive world," this production of the Cat in the Hat is set to be a spritely, easy going first time introduction to theatre for young children.

Suitable ages 3+

The Lost Room

On Tuesday 26 to Sunday 31 May the Art Of Disappearing is an immersive experience taking families through an imaginary flights of fancy. For young adventurers.

Suitable ages 8–10

Hansel and Gretel

On Wednesday 27 May a musical adventure of Hansel and Gretel leads children into a scary forest and tests their friendship and their cunning.

Suitable ages 5+

Little Howard’s Big Show For Kids

On Thursday 28 May Big Howard and his animated side kick, six-year-old Little Howard, bring stand-up comedy with live stage animation to Greenwich. Following good reviews from their TV show Little Howard’s Big Question (CBBC), children will be encouraged to come up with their own stand-up and engage with Little Howard's tough life as a showbiz comic.

Suitable for ages 6+

Danger Risk of Falling

This free family performance on Friday 29 and Saturday 30 May is an industry showcase dance event exploring the how choreography and dance can inspire thought and social change.

Suitable for ages 5+

Do Not Disturb

On Saturday 30 to Sunday 31 May 2015 it's the UK premiere of this circus performance by Spanish circus troop Vaivén Circo, who have performed Do Not Disturb all over the world, constructing and deconstructing a giant wheel set in a factory over 100 years ago, using only acrobatics.

Suitable for ages 3+