Spring does not get boring at artsdepot: the North London venue, recently nominated for Best Family Venue at the Fantastic for Families Awards, is well prepared to give children and their parents an enjoyable day out with a fun-filled Easter Holiday programme.
Elmer the Patchwork Elephant Show
Saturday, April 6, 2pm and 4.30pm
Sunday, April 7, to Wednesday, April 10, 10.30am to 2pm
Based on the classic children’s book series by David McKee, Elmer the Patchwork Elephant Show is a celebration of individuality and the power of laughter. Elmer is a patchwork elephant of brilliant colours. His fun-loving and cheerful personality keeps everyone in a playful mood, until the day he gets tired of being different and tries to blend in with the herd.
A favourite with children since the book was first published in 1989, this classic tale has been adapted for the stage by Suzanne Maynard Miller, with songs by Allison Leyton-Brown. The show’s subtle message that it is always best to be yourself, combined with the vibrant colour and cheeky humour of the main character, makes Elmer a great show for young children.
Suitable for ages 2+
Comedy Club 4 Kids
Sunday, April 7, 12pm and 2.30pm
Comedy Club 4 Kids is just like a normal comedy club, but it’s on in the day, kids are allowed in, and thus there is a higher than usual chance of heckles like “why is that your face!?” The show is family friendly, but without any patronising idiocy or rude bits.
Since 2005, the Comedy Club 4 Kids has been getting the best stand-ups and sketch acts from the international circuit to perform for an audience of children and their families. Over a decade later, the company has expanded from one London residency to presenting shows and workshops all over the UK from Peebles to Portsmouth, and even producing a book on how to write and perform stand-up.
Suitable for ages 6+
Young Herbert’s Horrors
Sunday, 14 April, 11am and 2pm
Young Herbert is a little horror. Living on a boat should be the ideal life for this wannabe pirate, but the boat stays grounded until Herbert can learn to tidy his cabin, eat his greens and be more polite. When Herbert is sent home from school, his mother calls on Great Uncle Albatross - navy captain and scourge of all pirates. But do his cautionary tales really have the power to make Young Herbert behave?
Featuring swashbuckling verse, jaunty music, gallows humour and the obligatory parrot, Young Herbert’s Horrors is a brand new spoken word show for children. Creator and performer Justin Coe is a poet, spoken word performer and writer who specialises in work for young audiences.
Suitable for ages 4-9
The Chit Chat Chalk Show
Monday, April 15, and Tuesday, April 16, 11am and 2pm
The Chit Chat Chalk Show follows Kiko, a confused young girl, struggling to understand how she feels about the world she lives in. With the help of a group of quirky new friends and the audience, she embarks upon a quest to discover the mixture of emotions and colours that make her unique. Young audiences can safely discover anger, jealousy, happiness and many more emotions, as the performers dance and draw around them.
Presented by Hawk Dance Theatre and The Knotted Project, The Chit Chat Chalk Show is charming, physical and packed with interaction for children and their families. Sitting amongst the set and performers, the children in the audience play an essential part in helping Kiko on her journey.
Suitable for ages 3-8
artsdepot, 5 Nether Street, Tally Ho Corner, North Finchley, N12 0GA, Saturday, April 6, to Tuesday, April 16. Details: 020 8369 5454 artsdepot.co.uk
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules here