50+ family-friendly theatre shows and performances in and around Cardiff in 2017
From stage adaptations of Julia Donaldson and Roald Dahl to big budget musicals such as Joseph and The Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat, to CBeebies and Milkshake favourites live on stage or more thought-provoking theatre for older children, it’s all happening in and around Cardiff in 2017. I’ve rounded up as many theatre shows and performances as I can, and will add to this list as more shows are announced. Do bookmark it, or add to your saved items on Facebook for future reference. Hope you find something you and your family will like!
All events are subject to change or cancellation so do check ahead to avoid disappointment.
I’ve broken it down by month, and clicking on the name of the show will take you to the relevant website for more information.
For more ideas of family-friendly events and days out in South Wales, see the Cardiff section of Cardiff Mummy Says, follow me on Twitter or Instagram
January
New Theatre, Cardiff
Thursday 19th-Sunday 22nd January
Thursday 2.30pm and 4.30pm; Friday and Saturday 11am and 2pm; Sunday 2pm, and 4.30pm
Musical stage adaptation of Julia Donaldson’s classic picture book, featuring puppetry, sing-a-long songs and slightly spooky fun. Running time: 55 minutes. Age guidance: 3+
February
St Donats Arts Centre, Vale of Glamorgan, Tythe Barn
Friday 3rd February-Sunday 5th February, 7.30pm
Stage Door 1 presents Aladdin, the traditional story of a poor boy, his laundress mother, an evil ‘uncle,’ a genie and a lamp. Along the way he falls in love, finds his riches and battles with evil. A magical journey packed with slapstick, comedy, and occasional pantomime nonsense.
OrchestraAdventure!
St David’s Hall, Cardiff
Tuesday 7th February, 1pm
Royal Welsh College of Music and Drama Symphony Orchestra present a programme of classical music including Rossini’s Gallop (William Tell Overture), John Williams’ Rey’s Theme from Star Wars The Force Awakens and Tchaikovsky’s 1812 Overture. The performance has been specially devised to capture the imagination of children and teachers through the power of a live symphony orchestra, by combining singing, music and dancing.
So you think you know about dinosaurs…!?
The Riverfront, Newport
Saturday 11th February, 2pm
Did dinosaurs eat their own families? Was every Tyrannosaur a fearsome carnivore? Why did Allosaurus headbutt its prey to death? Find out the answers to this and more in an interactive show where children can ask questions and show off their dinosaur knowledge to the audience. Host Ben Garrod, the TV Scientist in Attenborough and the Giant Dinosaur, will use film footage from the BBC’s Planet Dinosaur to talk about the deadliest predators that ever roamed the planet.
St David’s Hall, Cardiff
Wednesday 15th February, 1pm and 4pm
Age guidance: 3-7 year olds
CBeebies favourite Mr Bloom comes to the stage in his first live tour. The interactive show sees the veggies getting the allotment ready for a visit from a member of the royal family. Sing along to favourite songs from the show, including This Is My Allotment, Meet The Veggies, The Compo Song and Night Night Veggies.
St David’s Hall, Cardiff
Saturday 18th February, 1-3pm
This hand-on two hour session gives the opportunity to play the beautiful bronze Javanese percussion instruments and learn a traditional piece, and is suitable even if you have no previous musical experience.
Age guidance: 7+
Riverfront Arts Centre, Newport
Tuesday 21st February, 1pm and 3.30pm
Based on the book by Heather Dyer, join Elinor, whose bedroom can fly, taking her on adventures to far off lands, under the sea and outer space. A joint production from Little Light and Venue Cymru, this adventure tale is told through dancer theatre in an immersive digital projection space. There’s also a free workshop for ticket holders after each performance (2pm and 4.30pm).
Age guidance: 4+
New Theatre, Cardiff
Tuesday 21st-Saturday 25th February
Tuesday 7pm, Wednesday 2.30pm, Thursday and Friday 2.30pm and 7pm; Saturday 11am and 3pm
Can Fantastic Mr Fox outwit the three greedy farmers Boggis, Bunce and Bean and save his family and friends? The stage adaptation of the Roald Dahl classic features live music and songs and creative set design.
The Curious Adventures of Pinocchio
Riverfront Theatre, Newport
Friday 24th February, 11.30am & 2.30pm
The classic tale of the wooden puppet who wants to be a real boy is brought to the stage, with Patrick Lynch from CBbeebies pulling all the strings.
Age guidance: 5+
The Amazing Maurice And His Educated Rodents
The Gate Arts Centre, Keppoch Street, Cardiff
Thursday 23rd-Saturday 25th February, 7.30pm
Saturday 25th February, 2.30pm
Terry Pratchett’s story tells of a group of rats who become the Changelings, after eating off a magic rubbish heap makes them smart. Under the guidance of streetwise alleycat Maurice, they run a profitable business posting as a fake plague in unsuspecting towns. Proceeds will be donated to the Forget-Me-Not chorus, a local choir for people with dementia and their families.
Age guidance: 12+.
Dance House, National Dance Company Wales, Wales Millennium Centre, Cardiff Bay
Sunday 26th February, 4pm and 7pm
NDC Wales presents an evening of fresh and exciting work from youth dance groups from across Wales. Curated by NDC Wales’ artistic director, Caroline Finn, the evening will include ETC Youth Dance, Fantasy Feet, Rubicon, Joon Youth Dance Company and National Dance Company Wales Associates.
March
Royal Welsh College of Music and Drama, Cardiff
Saturday 4th March, 2.30pm and 5.30pm
Follow Alice and the White Rabbit as they set off on a colourful, topsy-turvy adventure in this imaginative and energetic musical stage production from Immersion Theatre,
Age guidance: 4+
Wales Millennium Centre, Cardiff Bay
Friday 10th March, 1pm and 5pm
Saturday 11th March, 11.30am and 2.30pm
The familiar CBeebies presenter brings his new show to Cardiff, packed full of fantastic songs, dances and games, with plenty of surprises along the way.
Cardiff County and Vale of Glamorgan Junior Music Festival
St David’s Hall, Cardiff
Monday 13th March, 7pm
Musical ensembles from schools across Cardiff and the Vale unite for a night celebrating the talents of local young people. The night will include orchestras, brass bands, choirs, percussion and steel pans, as well as the delightful sound of over 20 harps, and a massed choir of primary school pupils.
Cardiff County and Vale of Glamorgan Music Service Spring Showcase 2017
St David’s Hall, Cardiff
Tuesday 14th March, 7pm
A showcase featuring the talents nurtured by Cardiff County and the Vale of Glamorgan Music Service, on the next stage of their journey, featuring orchestra, wind band, brass band, percussion, jazz, guitars and special guests.
FREE Junior Conservatoire Foyer Concert
Royal Welsh College of Music and Drama, Cardiff
Saturday 18th March 1.45pm
Free and informal recitals given by the college’s talented junior musicians (aged 8-18) in the beautiful surroundings of the foyer.
Wales Millennium Centre, Cardiff Bay
Thursday 23rd-Saturday 25th March, 7.30pm
A visually stunning production telling the story of two estranged brothers brought together by their mother’s death. Drawing parallels between their fraternal bitterness and the competition between the Soviets and Americans during the space race, this beautiful and enigmatic one-man show is a witty exploration of one of the great mysteries of our time.
Age guidance: 11+. No under 2s.
Cardiff Children’s Literature Festival
Venues across Cardiff
Saturday March 25th-Sunday April 2nd
Far too many events to list here! There are loads of free events across the city, but highlights of the ticketed events include Nick Sharratt discussing his popular picture books and first chapter book; Anni Llyn, the Welsh children’s poet; David Melling, the author of Hugless Dugless; Lyn Gardner discussing Rose Campion and the Stolen Secret; Welsh language pirate show Parti Ddu; and David Solomons discussing superheroes and alien overlords.
Wales Millennium Centre, Cardiff Bay
Tuesday 28th-Thursday 30th March, 7.30pm
Friday 31st March, 5pm and 8pm
Saturday 1st April, 2pm, 5pm, 8pm
Showcasing the finest in traditional circus thrills and skills, Cirque Beserk! Brings it bang up to date in a jaw-dropping spectacular for all the family. Combining contemporary cirque-style artisty with adremanile-fuelled stunt action, this international troupe includes over 30 jugglers, acrobats, aerialists, dancers, drummers, death-defying stuntmen, award-winning clown Tweedy – and legendary motorcycle Globe of Death.
Age guidance: 5+ (No under 2s)
The Riverfront, Newport
Wednesday 29th-Friday 31st March, 7.30pm
Saturday 1st April, 1pm an 7.30pm
The classic musical is performed by youngsters from the Children’s Academy of Stage Training (CAST). Join orphan Annie, her four-legged friend, Sandy and the vibrant team of naughty-ish(!) orphans. Watch them act, dance and sing their way through this magical musical journey, plotting their uprising against orphanage supervisor, Miss Hannigan and her henchmen. Each performance is from a different branch of CAST, see the website for details.
APRIL
Disney On Ice: 100 Years of Magic
Motorpoint Arena, Cardiff
Wednesday 5th April-Sunday 9th April
6.30pm daily plus 10.30am and 2.30pm on Saturday and Sunday
Mickey, Minnie, Donald, Goofy and a host of Disney princesses lead the celebrations as Disney On Ice celebrates 100 years of Disney magic. Sing along to more than 30 songs from classic Disney films such as The Lion King, Beauty and the Beast, Aladdin and Frozen, plus Disney/Pixar’s Toy Story and Finding Nemo.
Memo Arts Centre, Barry
Saturday 8th April, 7pm
An evening of glitz, glamour and bodyslam mayhem as the Welsh Wrestling roadshow invades for one night only! See the over the top stars of the wrestling world collide in a night of super slamming action at this fun, crazy, family entertainment show.
Riverfront Theatre, Newport
Tuesday 11th April
Julia Donaldson and Axel Scheffler’s best-selling book is brought to the stage in this heart-warming musical adaptation by Scamp Theatre. Betty O’Barley and Harry O’Hay are scarecrows in love and about to be married. Until, that is, the smooth Reginald Rake swoops in to try to take Harry’s place. Will Harry make it back in the nick of time to save their special day?
Age guidance: 3+
Royal Welsh College of Music and Drama, Cardiff
Wednesday 12th April, 3pm
A spring showcase from the National Youth Boys Choir, featuring a range of music from many cultures and traditions.
Pavilion Theatre, Porthcawl
Thursday 13th April, 2.30pm
This musical adventure about growing up and the importance of family follows Tom, a toddler with a cool older problem, a secret dragon and a dribbling problem that looks set to threaten his friendship with his brother. Can the dragon’s magic help them put it back together again or will it make things worse? This is a new musical based on the new book by Steven Lee and with magic designed by Paul Daniels.
Age guidance: 2+. Running time: 1 hour
Wales Millennium Centre, Cardiff Bay
Friday 14th April, 7.30pm
Saturday 15th April, 2.30pm and 7.30pm
A new version of the classic legend sees Jason, an ordinary human in a world bursting with gods, monsters and superheroes. Assembling a team of mighty Argonauts, he tales the ship Argo on the ultimate adventure – the quest for the Golden Fleece.
Age guidance: 7+
Riverfront Arts Centre, Newport
Thursday 20th April, 11.30am and 2.30pm
Puppetry, original live music and tap dancing combine in this magical tale about a tap dancer. Marina Skippett can’t dance at home because her evil aunt banned it, so every night she creeps down to the boardwalk to shuffle and stomp to the sounds of the sea. One night she meets a mysterious watery boy and her life is never the same again.
Age guidance: 3+
St David’s Hall, Cardiff
Friday 21st April, 2.30pm
Children’s TV presenter Naomi Wilkinson presents a show packed full of fun and surprises as Naomi is joined on stage by ‘Animal Mark’, and some of his scariest creatures. Join Naomi as she recalls some of her most exciting wildlife experiences from the far flung corners of the world and even introduces the audience to some of the most fierce and frightening animals she met along the way.
Age guidance: 5+
The Wizard of Oz – Easter Panto
The Riverfront, Newport
Friday 21st April, 3pm and 7pm
Saturday 22nd April, 1pm and 5pm
Dorothy and her adventures with the Scarecrow, Tin Man, Cowardly Lion and the munchkins are given the panto treatment, with plenty of engeretic dance routines, well-known pop songs, lots of audience participation and humour for all the family.
Memo Arts Centre, Barry
Sunday 23rd April, 2.30pm
This musical adventure about growing up and the importance of family follows Tom, a toddler with a cool older problem, a secret dragon and a dribbling problem that looks set to threaten his friendship with his brother. Can the dragon’s magic help them put it back together again or will it make things worse? This is a new musical based on the new book by Steven Lee and with magic designed by Paul Daniels.
Age guidance: 2+. Running time: 1 hour
Northern Ballet: Goldilocks & the Three Bears
New Theatre, Cardiff
Friday 28th April, 12pm and 2pm
A great way to introduce children to live ballet, music and theatre. The tale of mischievous Goldilocks and her run-in with the three bears is brought to life in one of Northern Ballet’s acclaimed Short Ballets for Small People. Running time: 40 minutes.
Grand Pavilion, Porthcawl
Friday 28th April, 7.30pm
Lewis Carrol’s much-loved children’s classic is turned into a ballet as Alice tumbles into Wonderland. Guided by the White Rabbit, she meets an array of astonishing charaters, including the Mad Hatter, Queen of Hearts, and the mischievous twins, Tweedledum and Tweedledee.
National Dance Company Wales: Discover Dance
Sherman Theatre, Cardiff
Saturday 29th April, 2pm
Learn some moves, get on stage with the company dancers, watch a short performance and ask the dancers anything you like.
Running time: 90 minutes. Age guidance: 7+
St David’s Hall, Cardiff
Saturday 29th April and Sunday 30th April, 11.30am and 2.30pm
This show will take the audiance across unchartered territories to discover a pre-historic world of astonishing (and remarkably life-like) dinosaurs. Meet a host of impressive creatures, including the Tyrannosaurus Rex, a Triceratops, Giraffatitan and Segnosaurus, to name a few!
Age guidance: 3+; Running time 50 minutes plus 15 minutes ‘meat and greet’ with the dinosaurs. Limited number of Danger Zone seats available.
May
The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night Time
Wales Millennium Centre, Cardiff Bay
Tuesday 2nd-Saturday 6th May, 7.30pm
Wednesday, Thursday, Saturday, 2.30pm
Based on the award-winning novel by Mark Haddon, this highly acclaimed National Theatre production is the winner of seven 2014 Olivier Awards and five 2015 Tony Awards. Christopher, 15 years old, has an extraordinary brain – exceptional at maths while ill-equipped to interpret everyday life. When he falls under suspicion of killing Mrs Shears’ dog, it takes him on a journey that upturns his world.
Age guidance: 11+. No under 2s.
Welsh National Opera Family Concert
St David’s Hall, Cardiff
Sunday 7th May, 3pm
Following last year’s sold-out performance, Welsh National Opera returns with the perfect way to introduce all the family to opera and classical music. The WNO Orchestra will guide audiences through a selection of popular favourites from the world of opera, film and TV, with this year’s concert having an animal theme. Arrive ewarly and join in a selection of activities involving wigs, costumes and make-up as the team show what happens behind the scenes of a production.
Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat
New Theatre, Cardiff
Tuesday 9th-Saturday 13th May
Tuesday-Thursday, 7.30pm; Wednesday and Thursday 2,30pm, Friday and Saturday, 8pm and Saturday 2pm and 5pm
X-Factor winner Joe McElderry stars in Bill Kenwright’s “Amazing”, “Superb”, “Wonderful” and “Brilliant” production of Tim Rice and Andrew Lloyd Webber’s sparkling family musical continues. Retelling the Biblical story of Jospeh, his 11 brothers and the coat of many colours, musical numbers include Those Canaan Days, Any Dream Will Do and Close Every Door.
Age restriction: 3+
Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone in concert with full live orchestra
Motorpoint Arena, Cardiff
Sunday 14th May, 7.30pm
Relive the magic of Harry Potter and The Philosopher’s Stone in high-definition on a giant screen while hearing a full live orchestra perform John Williams’ unforgettable score.
St David’s Hall, Cardiff
Saturday 27th May, 1-3pm
This hand-on two hour session gives the opportunity to play the beautiful bronze Javanese percussion instruments and learn a traditional piece, and is suitable even if you have no previous musical experience.
Age guidance: 7+
New Theatre, Cardiff
Wednesday 31st May-Sunday 4th June
Wednesday 1pm; Thursday-Saturday 1pm, 6pm; Sunday 1pm
Based on DreamWorks’ hit animated film, this stage musical features Alex the lion, Marty the zebra, Melman the giraffe and Gloria the hippo, plus the plotting penguins as they escape their home in New York’s Central Park Zoo and find themselves in the madcap of world of King Julien’s Madagascar.
Memo Arts Centre, Barry
Wednesday 31 May, 2pm
Age guidance 2-7. Running time 80 minutes including a 15 minute interval. There will also be a meet and greet with the cast after the show
Join Marty MacDonald, Sally the Scarecrow, Pongo the Pig, Molly-Moo the Cow and Sheena the Sheep in a fun, musical, interactive adventure to repair the toy machine and give the world back its toys. This new show features the voices of CBeebies Justin Fletcher as Pongo and Nicole Davies as Molly-Moo. Songs include Head, Shoulders, Knees and Toes, The Wheels on the Bus and Old Macdonald Had A Farm, plus more, all with Makaton signing.
June
Sherman Theatre, Cardiff
Wednesday 7th-Thursday 8th June
Julia Donaldson and Axel Scheffler’s best-selling book is brought to the stage in this heart-warming musical adaptation by Scamp Theatre. Betty O’Barley and Harry O’Hay are scarecrows in love and about to be married. Until, that is, the smooth Reginald Rake swoops in to try to take Harry’s place. Will Harry make it back in the nick of time to save their special day? Age guidance: 3+
July
Milkshake! Live – The Magical Story Book
Wales Millennium Centre, Cardiff Bay
Sunday 9th July, 11.30am and 2.30pm
This all-singing, all-dancing live showcase of Milkshake favourites stars Bob the Builder, Little Princess, Wissper, Fireman Sam, Pip from Pip Ahoy!, Winnie and Wilbur, Shimmer and Shine, Milkshake’s very own Milkshake Monkey and two Milkshake presenters.
New Theatre, Cardiff
Saturday 15th-Sunday 16th July
Saturday 10am, 1pm, 4pm; Sunday 10am, 1pm
Princess Holly, her best friend Ben the Elf, Gaston the ladybird and their other friends come to the stage in this magical musical adventure based on the BAFTA-award winning animated television series.
Wales Millennium Centre, Cardiff Bay
Sunday 30th July, 4pm
A vibrant new musical telling of Princess Violet, her companion Marigold and host of colourful, curious friends, as they journey to find the forget-me-not flowers that will undo the evil curse placed on the land of Tickeldom by the icy cold witch Fluella.
August
Wales Millennium Centre, Cardiff Bay
Tuesday 1st-Saturday 12th August, 7.30pm
Thursday, Saturday and Sunday, 2.30pm
The famously kooky family come to the stage in the UK premier of this musical comedy. Wednesday Addams is all grown up and has a shocking secret – she’s fallen in love with a young man from a respectable family.
Wales Millennium Centre, Cardiff Bay
Wednesday 16th-Saturday 26th August, various performances
Baltimore, 1962 and Tracy Turnblad, a big girl with big hair and an even bigger heart, is on a mission to follow her dreams and dance her way onto national TV – not to mention overturning the racism which stops black and white dancers appearing on the their favourite dance show together. The smash-hit musical features songs including Welcome To The 60s, You Can’t Stop The Beat and The Nicest Kids In Town.
New Theatre, Cardiff
Thursday 31st August-Sunday 3rd September
Thursday 2pm; Friday-Sunday 11am-2pm
A musical adaptation of Julia Donaldson and Axel Scheffler’s famous children’s picture book. While searching for nuts in the wood, Mouse meets the cunning Fox, eccentric Owl and party-mad Snake. He escapes their clutches by scaring with talk of the Gruffalo – but does the mythical creature exist after all?
Running time: 55 minutes. Age guidance: 3+
September
Shows will be added when announced
October
Wales Millennium Centre, Cardiff Bay
Tuesday 17th-Saturday 21st October, 7.30pm
Thursday and Saturday, 2.30pm
Described by the Daily Mail as “utterly breathtaking” and globally acclaimed, Slava’s Snowshow is a multi-sensory theatrical adventure, filled with heart, humour and stunning spectacle.
Age guidance: 8+. No under 2s.
November
Shows will be added when announced
December
Sherman Theatre, Cardiff
Friday 1st-Saturday 30th December
Following the success of 2016’s The Borrowers, Kenneth Graham’s much-loved family classic The Wind In The Willows will be the Sherman’s Christmas production for older children. More details to be announced.
Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs
Saturday 9th December-Sunday 14th January 2018
Full details are yet to be announced but Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs gets the panto treatment at the New Theatre this Christmas, with comedy, music, big dance numbers, fabulous costumes and scenery, and plenty of audience participation.
Pavilion Theatre, Porthcawl
Saturday 16th December to Sunday 7th January
Will Cinders go to the ball in the Pavilion’s panto? Details yet to be announced.
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Definitely will be attending a few of these! x
Thanks so much for this list it’s fab !! Have been wanting to take my 3 and nearly 3 year old to something so will be using this list to choose , thanks xx
Wow – looks like there are some great theatre events this year for little ones. Just looked at the dinosaurs one – hoping to book that, my boys would love it.