• Banging the drum for Birmingham; Unstoppable smash-hit Stomp returns this Half Term
  • Farmyard fun for all in What the Ladybird Heard
  • Term-time family fun in the foyers with B’Opera, Baby Bhangra, Theatre Fun & Drama adventures
  • Childhood remembered in Summer in Southside
  • Newly Announced; Matilda The Musical Relaxed Performance this July

With the promise of another great British summertime on its way, here at the Hippodrome we’re unleashing our inner-child with a fun-packed programme of live theatre guaranteed to keep the whole family entertained, whatever the weather!

Building on our existing programme, the Hippodrome is delighted to be expanding its family-friendly offer with an exciting summer season of shows on the Main Stage; from the multi award-winning Matilda The Musical to the explosive smash-hit Stomp by way of farmyard favourite What The Ladybird Heard.

Once again, this will be accompanied by a growing programme of free and paid-for foyer workshops, pre-show craft activities and outdoor festivals ensuring that even more families feel welcome at Birmingham Hippodrome this great British summertime and beyond!

Half term highlights and beyond…

Shaking up the international dance scene since 1991, the unstoppable smash-hit Stomp explodes onto the Hippodrome main stage for one week this Half Term from 29 May – 2 June.

A whirlwind of dance, comedy and music, Stomp takes everyday objects like newspapers, bins, plastic bags and even the kitchen sink, and uses them to create a universal language of rhythm and movement that’s playful, thrilling and exploding with energy.

Looking ahead to June, families are invited to join Hefty Hugh and Lanky Len for an all-new musical adaptation of Julia Donaldson & Lydia Monks’ award-winning picture book, What The Ladybird Heard, which visits Birmingham Hippodrome from Tue 12 – Wed 13 Jun.

Featuring original music, puppetry, plenty of audience participation and a host of colourful characters, this delightful stage show for ages 3+ was described by The Guardian as ‘a total delight’ and is the perfect introduction to theatre for pre-schoolers and their families!

Spark your child’s imagination with Open Doors

Join the Hippodrome for Open Doors, a series of exciting, new family fun activities in the theatre’s foyers.  There’s a wide range of activities to keep your little ones entertained, like B’Opera – First Songs with Zoë Challenor on Mondays (suitable for 0-4 years). B’Opera creates beautiful music for tiny ears through interactive performances for babies, toddlers and their grown-ups. In these classes, you will explore how you can all use rhythm, movement, sound and singing voices to bring a story to life.

There’s also Baby Bhangra with Sohan Kailey on Tuesdays (suitable for 1-5years).  Get ready to strut your stuff, wiggle, giggle and dance to Bhangra and Bollywood beats, meet Bhangra Bunny, jump on board the Bhangra train and play fun musical instruments.

On Thursdays at the Hippodrome, the foyers once again come alive with Theatre Fun with David Eden (suitable for 2-4years). In this creative workshop, children will work on drama activities – with a little help from the grown-ups! David will unlock their imagination using movement, mime, and storytelling, and discover a whole new world of play. These classes will teach your little ones to improvise, imagine, listen, build their confidence and, of course, have fun!

Last but not least, Drama Adventures with Toni Midlane takes place on Fridays (suitable for 2-4 years). This energetic and interactive drama workshop is for pre-school children and includes movement, music, imaginative play and crafts.

Summertime silliness in Southside

This year, Summer in Southside – a Birmingham Hippodrome Project – heads back to the carefree days of childhood with a programme full of free fun for kids of all ages.

On 14-15 July, the streets around Birmingham Hippodrome will be transformed into a summer playground, where you can enjoy traditional funfair rides, retro games, independent food stalls, face-painting, craft workshops, family activities plus pop-up performances from visiting artists including The Fabularium, Bostin Brass and Osadia.

Further details of this year’s Summer in Southside programme will be announced shortly via the Birmingham Hippodrome website.

Relax Maggots!

Following news that the multi award-winning Matilda The Musical will visit Birmingham Hippodrome from Tues 3 July – Sat 8 Sep, the theatre is delighted to confirm that we are working with theRSC to offer thefirst ever Relaxed Performance of the hit stage show on tour here in Birmingham on Thu 19 July at 2pm.

This specially adapted performance has been designed to create a more calming atmosphere for audience members with an Autism Spectrum Condition, sensory and communication disorders or a learning disability.

Matilda The Musical is written by Dennis Kelly, with music and lyrics by Tim Minchin, and direction by Matthew Warchus. The production is designed by Rob Howell, with choreography by Peter Darling, orchestrations, additional music and musical supervision by Christopher Nightingale, lighting by Hugh Vanstone, sound by Simon Baker and the special effects and illusions are by Paul Kieve.

Matilda The Musical has now been seen by more than 7.7 million people worldwide, having played in over 60 cities with more than 5500 performances in the West End, on Broadway, across North America and in Australia and New Zealand.

To book tickets for the Relaxed Performance please call Ticket Sales on 0844 338 5000† or visit the theatre in person. This performance is not available to book online.

For further information on all of the events listed above and to book tickets, call 0844 338 5000 or visit www.birminghamhippodrome.com