As Christmas is now next month this is the first of my family fun listings. Shows to be enjoyed around the country by all the family complete with websites and age recommendations. So please do check out the websites and encourage and inspire our next generation of theatre enthusiasts with these family friendly shows.

CHITTY CHITTY BANG BANG
West Yorkshire Playhouse
2 December 2015 – 30 January 2016
Directed by West Yorkshire Playhouse Artistic Director James Brining, with choreography by Stephen Mear and production design by Simon Higlett, this new production of the much-loved Sherman Brothers musical stars Jon Robyns and Amy Griffiths. The memorable score includes such standards as Truly Scrumptious, Toot Sweets, Hushabye Mountain and the Oscar-nominated title song Chitty Chitty Bang Bang. The run at the West Yorkshire Playhouse will be followed by a UK & Ireland Tour.
Suitable for all ages 5+
http://www.chittythemusical.co.uk

ELF
Dominion Theatre
24 October 2015 – 2 January 2016
The London premiere of the musical ELF is based on the beloved 2003 New Line Cinema hit starring Will Ferrell. ELF, which stars Ben Forster, Kimberley Walsh, Joe McGann and Jessica Martin, is the hilarious tale of Buddy, who grows up in the North Pole thinking he’s an elf. With Santa’s permission, Buddy embarks on a journey to New York City to find his birth father, discover his true identity, and help New York remember the true meaning of Christmas.
Duration: 2 hours 25 minutes
Suitable for all ages 4+
http://www.elfthemusical.co.uk

THE RAILWAY CHILDREN
King’s Cross Theatre
Currently booking until 3 January 2016
The Olivier Award-winning production of Mike Kenny’s stage adaptation of E. Nesbit’s classic novel, following the journey of Bobby, Peter and Phyllis who move to rural Yorkshire and befriend local railway porter, Perks. A purpose built 1,000-seat theatre, complete with a railway track and platforms, and with a state of the art air conditioning and heating system, was specially created for this production. The York Theatre Royal production, which is in association with the National Railway Museum, features a live steam locomotive and a vintage carriage, originally built in 1896. The production is directed by Damian Cruden, Artistic Director of York Theatre Royal.
Duration: 2 hours 20 minutes
Suitable for all ages 5+
http://www.railwaychildrenlondon.com

SLAVA’S SNOW SHOW
Royal Festival Hall
16 December 2015 – 3 January 2016
The multi-international award-winning show returns to London’s Southbank Centre for a fifth consecutive Christmas season. A combination of theatrical clowning and breath-taking visual effects, the show is performed by a world-renowned company of clowns led by Slava Polunin, the Artistic Director of the St Petersburg Circus.
Suitable for all ages 5+
http://www.slavasnowshow.co.uk