Far-away kingdoms, egg-traordinary landscapes and high-flying adventures aplenty…you don’t have to travel very far to experience a whole world of imagination here at Birmingham Hippodrome this Spring.
Building on our existing programme, Birmingham Hippodrome is delighted to be expanding its family-friendly offer with an exciting new season of productions on the Main Stage and in our 200-seat Patrick Studio bringing together the best of large-scale touring theatre with a pic ‘n’ mix of alternative delights suitable ideally suited to young theatregoers and their families!
Once again, this will be accompanied by a growing programme of free and paid-for foyer workshops, pre-show craft activities and outdoor festivals ensuring that even more families feel welcome at Birmingham Hippodrome this Spring and beyond!
A Fairytale February with Birmingham Royal Ballet
Returning to Birmingham Hippodrome this Spring with their enchanting production of The Sleeping Beauty from Tues 13 – Sat 24 Feb, Birmingham Royal Ballet are delighted to once again present their hour-long introduction to ballet for children aged 3+. First Steps; a child’s Sleeping Beauty (Fri 16 Feb) has been specially adapted for children to enjoy with their families and features ballet excerpts from The Sleeping Beauty, performed by Birmingham Royal Ballet’s amazing dancers and orchestra. An enchanting first-encounter with the magical world of ballet.
Patrick Studio Spring Highlights:
Elsewhere in the building, families can look forward to a varied and exciting new season of shows in the 200-seat Patrick Studio, bringing together some of the brightest talents in children’s theatre from across the UK and abroad.
Inspired by the traditions of Shogatsu (Japanese New Year celebrations), Birmingham Hippodrome and A Thousand Cranes theatre company invite you on a high-flying adventure through the snowy mountains of Hokkaido, to the hustle and bustle of Tokyo in the delightful new children’s show, Little Mochi Man (Sat 24 Feb).
Featuring ‘origami’ puppets, animation and music, this enchanting new show, suitable for ages 4-7, is the perfect introduction to Japan for young children and the ideal way to keep the little ones entertained this half term.
Looking ahead to March 2018, Catherine Wheels Theatre Company invites you on a magical journey into the remarkable and beautifully strange world of White (Fri 9 – Sun 11 Mar). Full of birdsong and birdhouses, it gleams and dazzles and shines in the night. Two friends look after the birds and make sure the eggs stay safe. The world is bright, ordered and white. But high up in the trees, all is not white. Colour appears. First red… then yellow… then blue…
Described by The Times as ‘An utter delight no matter what your age”, White is a playful, highly visual show for very young children and the perfect first-time theatre experience.
This will be followed by a theatrical first for Birmingham Hippodrome as award-winning theatre company METRO-BOULOT-DODO joins forces with resident artists Open Theatre Company in an all-new production of the infamous fairy tale Hansel and Gretel (Wed 4 – Sun 8 Apr).
A flustered storyteller is joined by a mischievous mockingbird as he follows Hansel and Gretel deep into the forest. All is not what it seems, as the characters start to tell their own version of this peculiar adventure. Come along and meet the wicked witch and her really rather eccentric chefs in this truly imaginative version of Hansel and Gretel.
Filled with creative flair and quirky humour, this deliciously inventive production has all the ingredients of the perfect family night out including live music, hilarious performance and a mesmerising design.
Open Theatre Company and BecauseWeCanCanCan work closely with Birmingham Hippodrome to support emerging performers with learning disabilities, some of whom appear in this production.
Family Fun in the Foyers:
Pop into the Birmingham Hippodrome foyers during the week for a range of activities to keep little ones entertained. There’s something for everyone from B’Opera for babies to Baby Bhangra. There’s also Theatre Fun for all the family! A workshop that uses movement, mime, and storytelling to discover a whole new world of play.
During term time activities take place on Mondays, Tuesdays and Thursdays between 10.30am – 12.30pm.
Festival Fever:
This February half-term Birmingham Hippodrome presents the Legends and Lights Spring Festival – free holiday workshops in storytelling and crafts inspired by Chinese New Year. There’s a wide variety of activities on offer which means you can take away something different each day. Join Haruka Kuroda, regular presenter in CBBC’s Officially Amazing and soon to be appearing in the show ‘The Little Mochi Man’ Sat 24 Feb. You can drop in for an hour-long session or stay the whole day. Parents can grab a coffee and relax – or have a go at all the activities too. Get inspired by Asian legends and New Year traditions from across the world.
As well as half-term fun, the theatre is also co-producing a jam-packed festival in celebration of Chinese New Year in the foyers and around the city centre (Fri 16 – Sun 18 Feb).
Birmingham Hippodrome, Hurst Street, Southside,Birmingham, B5 4TB
www.birminghamhippodrome.com
