Little Lyric announces Summer 2023 season of family shows April – August
- The beloved children’s classic The Very Hungry Caterpillar based on the book by Eric Carle, created by Jonathan Rockefeller, and presented by MEI Theatrical, returns to the Lyric Hammersmith Theatre’s Main House from Tuesday 25 – Sunday 30 July.
- Julia Donaldson and Axel Scheffler’s cherished Tales from Acorn Wood stories are brought to life on stage for the first time in an enchanting lift-the-flap experience, presented by Norwell Lapley Productions, playing in the Main House from Tuesday 08 – Sunday 20 August.
- Lyngo Theatre presents The Curious Adventures of Pinocchio, in a unique retelling bringing this epic tale from page to stage in the Lyric Studio during May half term (30 May – 03 June).
- This summer season of Little Lyric welcomes new captivating children’s shows from Blouse & Skirt!/Goblin Theatre/Little Angel Theatre/Mercury Theatre, Olivier-nominated Hattie Naylor, Black Books Matter UK, Widdershins, Roustabout Theatre, Sea Legs Puppets, and Golden Toad Theatre, coming to the Studio from 22 April – 17 July.
- Young Lyric Summer term classes including dance, children’s choir, musical theatre, and acting are on sale now and will commence for 10 weeks from April 2023.
The Little Lyric 2023 Summer Season at the Lyric Hammersmith Theatre showcases both timeless children’s classic and new adventures from critically acclaimed family theatre companies for our youngest audiences to enjoy, with shows on every Saturday as well as May half term.
From The Instrumentals (22 Apr), to Woodland Tales With Granddad (29 Apr), The Sun Shines for Everyone (13 May), Pigs & Bears Don’t Come In Pairs (20 May), Dinosaurs & All That Rubbish (27 May), The Curious Adventures of Pinocchio (30 May – 03 Jun), Little Bo Peep (10 Jun), Errol’s Garden (17 Jun), The Very Hungry Caterpillar (25 – 30 Jul), and Tales from Acorn Wood (08 – 20 Aug), this summer programme features some of the most magical children’s theatre.
Tickets are on sale today at www.lyric.co.uk or call box office on 020 8741 6850.
The Instrumentals
Presented by Blouse & Skirt!, Goblin, Little Angel Theatre & Mercury Theatre
Saturday 22 April, 11am & 1pm | Lyric Studio
Running time: 50mins, for ages 4+
Get ready to groove with The Instrumentals!
When Belle is feeling down she slips into her grandfather’s basement and discovers his old dusty instruments. But far from being junk, The Instrumentals are pure funk, and they teach Belle to ‘get down’ in a whole new way. Bursting to life with brilliant puppetry and bold music, The Instrumentals is full of love and laughter, about the memories we hold and how we celebrate life.
This is a show for all children with characters, story and inspiration from the African-Caribbean diaspora. It’s full of uplifting original music with soulful sounds and seventies grooves. Combined with innovative puppetry and lots of comedy, this fun musical journey will have audiences dancing in the aisles!
Woodland Tales with Granddad
Presented by Pickled Image and Hattie Naylor
Saturday 28 January, 11am & 1pm | Lyric Studio
Running time: 1hour, for ages 3+
Olivier-nominated Hattie Naylor has teamed up with Pickled Image once again, crafting a
magical tale with an urgent environmental message.
Something is happening in the woods, voices can be heard, and a strange metallic smell fills the air. Machines are gathering at its edge and a mysterious call is heard across the valley. Laura the ladybird, Jeffrey the spider, Brett the Woodlouse and Willoughby the Woodpecker are worried. Velda the Vixen knows there’s only one person who can help them – Granddad. But is there enough time? Can they save the wood? And will the mysterious stranger help?
Featuring a cast of extraordinary puppets, this uproarious family show not only entertains, but has an important and timely environmental message to share.
The Sun Shines for Everyone
Presented by Black Books Matter UK
Saturday 13 May, 11am and 1pm | Lyric Studio
Running time: 1hour, for ages 4 – 11
On planet Zame, home to the Zamzies race, everyone’s the same. Everyone looks the same, feels the same, and does the same. However, once a year the sun shines on one Zamzie, and they get to do whatever they like. When the sun shines on M.A.T, (Migrant Alien Traveller/A puppet) they decide to jump in their spaceship and explore the cosmos, but they crash land on earth. Here they meet Buddy, a young boy who is in trouble at school for name calling.
Through the positive emotion of joy, The Sun Shines For Everyone uses puppetry and song to encourage children to have pride in their own heritage, as well as celebrate differences.
Pigs & Bears Don’t Come In Pairs
Presented by Widdershins
Saturday 20 May, 11am and 1pm | Lyric Studio
Running time: 40mins, for ages 3 – 7
Straw, wood, brick? Porridge, chairs, beds?
Two trios to tantalise and tickle your senses in this DOUBLE BILL of Furry Tails, where Goldilocks may even be more scary that the Big Bad Wolf!
If two’s company and three’s a crowd, then book your place now for these well-loved stories, retold with puppets, original music and a perfectly petite pop up set.
Dinosaurs & All That Rubbish
Presented by Roustabout Theatre
By arrangement with Penguin Books Ltd, a Penguin Random House company.
Saturday 27 May, 11am and 1pm | Lyric Studio
Running time: 1hour, for ages 3+
One small step for man, one giant pile of rubbish left behind!
Man’s dream to reach the stars leaves the world in ruins and disturbs the sleeping dinosaurs. Will they wake up and save planet Earth?
An imaginative adaptation of Michael Foreman’s environmental tale with dancing dinosaurs, fuelled by Rock’n’Roll. This riotous hour, packed with signature Roustabout silliness, will have you tapping your toes from start to finish!
The Curious Adventures of Pinocchio
Presented by Lyngo Theatre
Tuesday 30 May – Saturday 03 June, 11am and 1pm | Lyric Studio
Running time: 50mins, for ages 4+
Who nose? He might even find his father and become a real boy.
Lyngo have adapted this epic tale into a unique retelling where the story leaps off the page and onto the stage. Crickets, cats, foxes and, of course, the world-famous puppet, will spring out of our collection of dusty old magic books while Patrick Lynch pulls all the strings and turns all the pages to bring you the true story of Pinocchio, no lie.
Little Bo Peep
Presented by Sea Legs Puppets
Saturday 10 June, 11am and 1pm | Lyric Studio
Running time: 45mins, for ages 2 – 7
Little Bo Peep has lost her sheep and doesn’t know where to find them.
Her friend Little Boy Blue is doing his best to help find the woolly runaways but he keeps falling asleep. Meanwhile, The Nursery Rhyme Man is in his kitchen baking a surprise cake for Little Bo Peep’s birthday. As he works, a mischievous mouse keeps stealing the ingredients.
Watch your favourite nursery rhymes come to life before your eyes in Sea Legs Puppet Theatre’s fabulous show, especially created for little peeps and their families. Featuring magnificent puppets, fantastic scenery and of course lots of music and singing.
Errol’s Garden
Presented by Golden Toad Theatre
Based on the book by Gillian Hibbs
Saturday 17 June, 11am & 1pm | Lyric Studio
Running time: 50mins, for ages 3 – 11
“I wish I could have a garden of my own, but all I see out there is concrete and pavement and more concrete…”
Errol loves plants so much that he has them growing out of every pot, pan, and teacup he can find in his small flat. But he knows that plants need water, sunlight, and space. They need a garden.
Longing to give his plants a proper home, Errol and his sister Tia decide to transform their neglected rooftop into a beautiful community garden. But first, they must convince everyone in the flats to pitch in and help. Grumpy neighbours and garden pests may stand in their way, but Errol is determined to make his dream a reality.
Filled with catchy songs, imagination, and a passion for plants, Errol’s Garden is a fun interactive musical for children aged 3–11 and their grownups.
The Very Hungry Caterpillar
Presented by Lyric Hammersmith Theatre and MEI Theatrical
Based on the book by Eric Carle
Tuesday 25 – Sunday 30 July, 11am, 1pm & 3pm| Lyric Main House
Running time: 50mins, for ages 1+
The Very Hungry Caterpillar Show has been dazzling audiences around the globe for over five years, faithfully bringing to the stage Eric Carle’s timeless classics in one delightful show.
Dive into Eric Carle’s bright and colourful world as his beloved stories are transformed from page to stage using a menagerie of 75 lovable puppets and charming music. Featuring your favourite titles: Brown Bear, Brown Bear, 10 Little Rubber Ducks, The Very Lonely Firefly and of course, the star of the show, The Very Hungry Caterpillar.
Created by Jonathan Rockefeller, the critically acclaimed The Very Hungry Caterpillar Show is a vibrant celebration of Eric Carle’s adored classics and the perfect introduction to live theatre.
Tales from Acorn Wood
Presented by Lyric Hammersmith Theatre and Norwell Lapley Productions
Based on the favourite stories by Julia Donaldson and Axel Scheffler
Tuesday 08 – Sunday 20 August, 11am & 1.30pm| Lyric Main House
Running time: 55mins, for ages 1 – 6
Julia Donaldson and Axel Scheffler’s beloved Tales from Acorn Wood stories are brought to life on stage for the first time in an enchanting lift-the-flap experience.
Poor old Fox has lost his socks! Are they in the kitchen or inside the clock? And Rat-a-tat-tat! Who’s that keeping tired Rabbit awake? You can also join in with Pig and Hen’s game of hide-and-seek and discover the special surprise Postman Bear is planning for his friends.
Packed full of toe-tapping songs, puppetry, and all the friends from Acorn Wood, this beautiful show from the team that brought you Dear Zoo Live and Dear Santa promises to be the perfect treat for children of all ages.
Young Lyric Summer term classes
Alongside the family shows, the Lyric Hammersmith Theatre also offers Young Lyric Summer term classes to nurture young talent and creativity in West London. A variety of classes ranging from children’s choir, dancing, musical theatre, acting, and ballet are available for all interests and abilities. The classes are open to young people in Brent, Ealing, Hammersmith and Fulham, Harrow, Hillingdon, Hounslow, Kensington and Chelsea, Richmond upon Thames and Wandsworth and will run for 10 weeks from January 2023.
Young Lyric classes are delivered by eight Young Lyric Partners: Action on Disability, AMICI Dance Theatre Company, DanceWest, Lyric Hammersmith Theatre, Musiko Musika, New English Ballet Theatre, Tri-Borough Music Hub, and Turtle Key Arts.
To book, a young person must be a Young Lyric Member. Membership is free and provides access to classes, £5 tickets to all Lyric Main House shows and further creative opportunities throughout the year. Bursaries are available for some classes and can be applied for online.
All places must be booked in advance. For full details on classes and to book, visit www.lyric.co.uk or call 020 8741 6850.