Our local theatres have really pulled out all the stops to make sure that this year’s Easter break is full of wonderful theatrical treats for the whole family.
The Assembly Hall Theatre, which sits right on the Sussex / Kent border in Tunbridge Wells has two, very different but equally entertaining, offerings to keep all ages satisfied. The younger children will love Scooby Doo and the Mystery of the Pyramid, while older children will be captivated by the Science Museum Live.
On Friday April 4th and Saturday April 5th, Scooby-Doo, Shaggy, Fred, Velma and Daphne transport us to Egypt, where they must solve the mystery of Pharaoh Hatchepsout’s Pyramid. Easy, you say? Not if the gang has to deal with mysterious mummies plus the wrath of the Pharaoh who will transform anyone who dares to approach the pyramid… into stone! With hilarious physical comedy, popular tunes and special effects, the whole family will enjoy this new episode live on stage.
Saturday 12th and Sunday 13th April are the dates when the Science Museum Live presents The Energy Show: explosive family theatre for curious minds. Two futuristic science students race against time to prove their knowledge of energy. With help from the incredible virtual lab-assistant, i-nstein, and a steampunk workshop full of gadgets and chemicals, they make fireballs, hydrogen balloons explode and rockets are fired into the audience. Stand back and cover your ears – theatre just got dangerously exciting!
Heading down to the seaside, and into the Devonshire Park Theatre in Eastbourne, we find Sooty celebrating his 65th year in showbusiness. The nation’s favourite bear will be appearing on Thursday 17th April at 11:00am and 2:30pm.
Direct from their hit CiTV series, Sooty, Sweep, Soo and Sooty’s TV partner Richard Cadell, will all star in a new stage show which will see them get caught up in a wonderful world of magic, mischief and mayhem. Whether it is children discovering the characters for the first time or adults enjoying the nostalgic experience with their little ones, The Sooty Show Live is for the whole family.
Along the coast at Worthing the live offerings are just about as diverse as you can possibly get, with everything from a farmyard sing-along to your chance to juggle in the Circus.
Rod Burnett, an internationally renowned puppeteer and storyteller, uses his formidable skills in a faithful retelling of Hans Christian Andersen’s masterpiece, The Tin Soldier, which appears at the Connaught Theatre Studio on Saturday 5th April at 2.00pm
Clockwork toys, hand-carved puppets, live music and atmospheric lighting bring this story vividly alive. Often funny, sometimes sad, this is a spellbinding performance for all ages, asking questions about love, danger, growing older and how extraordinary things can happen in the imagination. The production is presented in association with Ropetackle Arts Centre, Shoreham who will also being holding this event on Saturday 5th April at 2.30pm.
In the Connaught Theatre on Friday 11th April at 2:30pm there’s a chance to join in with the children’s favourite, Old MacDonald had a Farm, but Old MacDonald’s animals have gone missing! Can you help a friendly scientist and his amazing time machine get them back for him?
Presented by the team behind There Was An Old Lady Who Swallowed A Fly and written especially for parents to enjoy with their children, this fun filled farmyard tale brings to life all the best loved characters from the original nursery rhyme along with a magical medley of games, giggles and sing along songs including Heads, Shoulders Knees and Toes, She’ll Be Coming Round The Mountain and of course Old MacDonald Had A Farm.
Rounding off the family holiday treats is CircusSeen’s Circus Workshop which takes place in Worthing’s Pavilion Theatre on April 8th and 15th from 10:00am until 4:00pm.
From tumbling tots to active teens, the circus skills workshops are designed to keep kids from 4 to 13 years old active in the holidays. Work with balance, coordinated movement and ‘brain gym’ exercises to improve social interaction and communication skills. With so much to do and learn, there’s no room for boredom and each child will find something they like and are good at.
Skills include juggling scarves, balls, clubs and rings, pedal racer, unicycle, fun wheel, plate spinning, poi, staff, diabolo, balance board, hooping, gym ribbon, flower sticks and stilt walking. At 3.45pm, the Ringmaster presents the children in their very own show for parents and carers. A great chance to see the work the children have achieved.