Theatre shows in Kent for children in 2019 including Annie, Bing Live! and Nativity!

by Angela Cole

What have theatres in the county got in store for little ones in 2019? We’ve searched the county to find some of the highlights...

Marking his 30th anniversary, the 2019 tour of Elmer the Patchwork Elephant premieres at the Churchill Theatre, Bromley from Thursday, January 17 to Saturday, January 19 from Selladoor.

The show, which is a new live stage adaptation of the classic children’s book series by David McKee, tells how Elmer gets tired of being different and tries to blend in - but realises his friends love his unique characteristics. Book at churchilltheatre.co.uk

Bing Live! is coming to The Orchard Theatre

It’s a Bing thing this spring when CBeebies favourite Bing Live! comes to the stage.

The show, featuring Bing, Sula, Coco and Pando as they learn how to tell stories by pretending, dressing-up and singing songs, is at the Theatre Royal Margate on Wednesday, March 27 and Thursday, March 28; the Churchill Theatre, Bromley on Saturday, April 13 and Sunday, April 14, and at the Woodville, Gravesend from Friday, April 19 to Sunday, April 21.

Details at bingliveshow.com

Join Igglepiggle, Upsy Daisy, Makka Pakka and friends on the first tour of In the Night Garden Live.

The specially written musical theatre story stops at Dartford’s Orchard Theatre from Thursday, April 18 and Monday, April 22; the Churchill Theatre, Bromley, from Tuesday, August 20 and Saturday, August 24 and Canterbury’s Marlowe Theatre on Wednesday, August 7 and Thursday, August 8. Visit nightgardenlive.com to book.

In the Night Garden's characters are on their way to Kent

Popular musical Annie heads to Kent in the summer, fresh from London’s West End.

Craig Revel Horwood as Miss Hannigan in Annie

Join Annie on her journey from a life of misery at Miss Hannigan’s orphanage - with Craig Revel Horwood as Miss Hannigan - to life with billionaire, Oliver Warbucks, as the show stops at the Orchard Theatre from Monday, June 17 and Saturday, June 22 and at the Marlowe Theatre from Monday, October 14 to Saturday, October 19. To book, visit anniethemusicaltour.uk

Rounding off the year will be Nativity! The Musical when the pupils of St Bernadette’s School stop off on their first tour at the Marlowe Theatre in Canterbury, with sing-a-long hits including Sparkle and Shine, Nazareth, One Night One Moment and She’s the Brightest Star from Wednesday, November 13 to Sunday, November 17. Details at nativitythemusical.com