There is a large selection of theatres across the UK that stage productions especially for children and young people. A list of such theatres and companies is located on the website of the Association of Professional Theatre for Children and Young People. You can search regionally by clicking on your chosen area on the map. Note that this is not a totally comprehensive list, as it only refers to member establishments and organisations. The National Association of Youth Theatre  publishes a similar list of youth theatre-related websites.

To locate a theatre in your area – irrespective of whether it caters solely for children – you can take advantage of this database compiled by the University of Exeter School of Performance Arts. The website lists UK regional theatres alphabetically and has a separate section for London theatres. The pages also link to the websites of each theatre listed and provides information about national arts centres, theatre companies and artists.

For those living in the North West region,  Arts about Manchester works to encourage arts organisations to develop familiy friendly policies and programmes, so that the whole experience of attending the theatre or an exhibition is one that families can enjoy. Their Family Friendly site provides information about arts events and activities throughout the Greater Manchester area.

Another extremely useful site which offers comprehensive listings of theatrical events both professional and amateur, is UK Theatre Web. If you want to find out where your nearest production of  for example, Hamlet is taking place, this is where to look.

Whatsonstage is an online theatre magazine, featuring theatre-related news, reviews and a calendar of events. You can find out what is showing at your local theatre by typing the nearest major town into the search box on the home page. Alternatively, there is a more general theatre search at the side of the page, which brings up a selection of suitable performances when you input the key words ‘children’s theatre’.

For more information about what’s going on in your area, visit your Local Authority’s website. It can provide details on activities, attractions and services available to you and your family. If your children are interested in becoming more directly involved in theatrical activities, see also our section on drama.