What's On in South East London May/June 2024

WHAT’S ON

What’s on

Compiled by

Robina Cowan

All details are as provided when going to press. However, in case of changed plans, do double-check before setting out.

ONGOING

The Art of the Brick

The Boiler House E1 6QL www.theartofthebrickexpo.com

See over 150 works of art created from more than a million LEGO bricks by artist Nathan Sawaya. The collection includes reimagined art masterpieces, a 6-metre-long reproduction of a T-Rex skeleton, along with music and multimedia imagery.

Dulwich Festival 2024

Various venues in and around Dulwich www.dulwichfestival.co.uk

10-19 May

Artists’ open houses, music, dance, literature, art, walks, talks, performances and events run by and for local people, plus familyfriendly outdoor fairs on 12, 18 and 19 May.

Sydenham Garden Spring Fair

Sydenham Garden Resource Centre SE23 2LW www.sydenhamgarden.org.uk

11 May

Cakes, plants, local community groups stalls, and a chance to spend time in the lovely nature reserve. Family friendly event, 11am-3pm, FREE entry.

Global Camps

Kelvin Grove School SE26 6BB www.globalcamps.co.uk

28-31 May

School holiday day camps offering a unique mix of language learning, sports coaching, arts & crafts and outdoor adventure to keep young ones active and engaged. Ages 4-12.

Brockley Max Festival

In and around Brockley SE4 www.brockleymax.co.uk

31 May-8 June

A nine-day community arts festival celebrating local talent, with live music, crafts, poetry readings, art installations, film nights and more, culminating with the Art In The Park family day in Hilly Fields.

The Paddington Bear Experience County Hall, Southbank SE1 7PB www.paddingtonbearexperience. com

From 31 May

Help Paddington and the Brown family prepare for a very special Marmalade Day Festival! Board the full-sized train carriage to start a journey filled with the sights and sounds of London, fairground games, dancing - and marmalade of course!

Independent Bookshop Week

Nationwide www.booksaremybag.com

15-22 June

Independent bookshops are staffed by experts who are wildly passionate about reading and getting the right book into the

right hands. During this year’s celebration week, hundreds of indie bookshops across the country will feature author events, bookshop crawls, guest bookselling and much more.

Hilly Fields Midsummer Fayre

Montague Avenue SE4 1YP www.brockleysociety.org.uk

22 June

An afternoon of arts, crafts, brica-brac stalls, performances, the dog show, children’s competitions, tea and cakes, delicious food and much more.

Ark Globe Academy Summer Fair

Harper Road, London SE1 6AF

22 June

FREE entry to this fabulous summer fair, which runs 11am2pm. Mobile farm, fairground rides, BBQ, stalls, Food Fest, birds of prey, raffle, games, Face and nail painting, Fulham Football Club. Just turn up!

The Summer Science Exhibition

Royal Society SW1Y 5AG www.royalsociety.org/summer

2-7 July

A FREE annual exhibition showcasing inspiring discoveries and scientific breakthroughs through talks, workshops and hands-on demonstrations.

THEATRE & SHOWS

Unicorn Theatre

Tooley Street SE1 2HZ www.unicorntheatre.com

14 May–19 June

Baby Show

An ever-popular sensory performance with captivating images and intriguing sounds that keep little ones rapt. Having played to over five thousand babies at the Unicorn since 2016, this expertly created show knows its young audience and is a perfect first theatre experience. During the show, you and your baby are sat in a gorgeous garden-inspired set and watch as the performer playfully explores the joys and tribulations of getting ready and exploring outside. At the end of the show, there is a chance to play in the space. 20 minute show + 20 minutes free play. Ages 6-18mths.

17 May-16 June

The Princess and the Pea In a lavish Palace there lives a pampered Princess who has everything her heart desires. Each day, three loyal servants attend to her every wish and whim. But one dark and stormy night, she ventures beyond her Palace walls and everything changes… Breathtaking acrobatics, clowning, and fairy-tale adventure combine in this funny and playful remix of Hans Christian Andersen’s classic story. Ages 2+. 50 mins.

Underbelly Boulevard

Walkers Court W1F 0BT www.underbellyboulevard.com

18 May

Variety Club 4 Kids

From the Comedy Club 4 Kids team comes a brand new Variety Club 4 Kids show, packed with comedy, circus, magic, music, thrills, skills, spectacle, silliness and shenanigans from some of the UK’s best variety performers.

Blackheath Halls

Lee Road SE3 9RQ www.blackheathhalls.com

25-26 May

There’s a Monster in Your Show

Expect plenty of playful fun for your littlest ones as favourite characters come to life in a show that is packed with interactive moments to enjoy together.

Theatre Peckham

Havil Street SE5 7SB www.theatrepeckham.co.uk

26 May

Storytropolis: Into the StoryVerse

A creative journey of fun and freedom which blends the boundaries of children’s storytelling. All stories come from somewhere… Ages 3+.

Spontaneous Productions

Home Park SE26 www.spontaneousproductions. co.uk

May-June Weekends

Alice Through the Looking Glass

A family-friendly production, performed in the outdoor space of Sydenham’s Home Park.

Stanley Arts Centre

South Norwood Hill SE25 6AB www.stanleyarts.org

31 May

Goldilocks: The Ballet

Join Goldilocks as she befriends a family of bears and teaches everyone the value of sharing. Let’s All Dance Ballet Company brings this classic children’s story to life for a special half term treat.

16 June

Three Little Pigs

Oink! Oink! Oink! Join the Three Little Pigs as they venture into the big wide world to build their own houses but who’s that?! Owooo! The Wolf!

Under the Sea Soft Play at Horniman Museum

Bromley Churchill Theatre

High Street Bromley BR1 1HA

www.trafalgartickets.com/ churchill-theatre-bromley

14-16 May

Zog and the Flying Doctors

Freckle Productions are back with a wonderful production of Julia Donaldson and Axel Scheffler’s bestselling book. Ages 3+.

29-30 May

Peppa Pig’s Fun Day Out

Join Peppa, along with her family and friends as they go to the zoo and also the beach for a special party - it’s going to be an exciting and fun packed day!

Shakespeare’s Globe

New Globe Walk SE1 9DT

www.shakespearesglobe.com

Until 1 June

Macbeth: Family Storytelling

Discover the hurly-burly of Macbeth through storytelling set in medieval Scotland. Ages 5-12.

Until 27 October

Family Sword Fighting

Join a sword fighting demonstration and watch as Early Modern stage combat comes to life. Includes a photo opportunity for you to handle the weapons yourself!

Little Angel Theatre

Dagmar Passage N1 2DN

www.littleangeltheatre.com

18 May-27 July

Prince Charming

It’s a lot of pressure being Prince Charming, what with dragons to fight and kingdoms to save. This musical is funny, enduring and suitable for everyone who’s ever felt a bit anxious. Ages 6+.

Little Angel Studio

Sebbon Stree N1 2EH

www.littleangeltheatre.com

4 May-21 July

The Curious Rat

A poignant and poetic tale of a small city rat on a journey to find what makes him special. Ages 3-8.

Southbank Centre

Southbank SE1 8XX

www.southbankcentre.co.uk

31 May-2 June

Pied Piper: A Hip-Hop Family Musical

Follow the music in a high-energy show that pulls you under its catchy spell. Ages 6+.

1 June

The Mughal Miniatures Dance Party

Enjoy an outdoor show with popup pictures, dance workshops and a live DJ to keep the party going. Ages 5+.

1-2 June

Grand Soft Day

A playful show about always being prepared even though you don’t know what the day will bring.

Ages 2-6.

Regents Park Open Air Theatre

Regents Park NW1 4NU www.openairtheatre.com

17 May-8 June

The Enormous Crocodile

The Enormous Crocodile is weaving his way through the jungle in search of delicious little fingers and squidgy podgy knees in this musical version of the Roald Dahl story.

15 June-20 July

The Secret Garden

Frances Hodgson Burnett’s beloved and radical story about the magic of nature and the nature of magic is adapted in a new production by Holly Robinson and Anna Himali Howard.

Woolwich Works

The Fireworks Factory SE18 6HD www.woolwich.works

1 June

The Magic Word

With magical dancers, stunning costumes, crystal clear storytelling and lots of humour, this is a heart-warming tale for all ages.

Puppet Theatre Barge, W9 2PF www.puppetbarge.com

Until 19 May

Pea

Join Tiffany in her quest to get a good night’s sleep. Ages 4+.

4 May-2 June

Suitcase Circus

Meet Wobulous Discombobulous, the anarchic sock as he presents a line up of extraordinarily talented performing objects, all with their own unique and captivating storylines. Ages 5+.

8-16 June

My Shadow and Me

One person (and his shadow) meet and go on an incredible, imaginative, shadowy journey where creatures emerge, engage and transform beautifully. Ages 4+.

Actor’s Church

St Paul’s Church WC2E 9ED www.actorschurch.org

16 May

Baby Gospel Family Concert

An uplifting family concert of soul, Motown and gospel music, featuring the astonishing vocal talents of London’s CK Gospel Choir.

Bach to Baby

Various dates and venues www.bachtobaby.com

Critically-acclaimed classical concerts for babies and their grownups. Outstanding musicians put on exhilarating performances where babies can ‘join in’ with as much noise as they like!

Bring Your Own Baby Comedy

Various dates

Greenwich, Crystal Palace, East Dulwich and Bromley www.byobcomedy.com

A funny, friendly afternoon of top comedy, where baby can come too and join in with the rumpus. Shows feature a new line up of comedians each month with two acts plus a compere. Ages: grownups plus under 12 months.

Picturehouse Cinemas

West Norwood, Greenwich, East Dulwich and Bromley

www.picturehouses.com

Sit back and enjoy a big-screen film in a cinema that welcomes families. Sessions include Watch with Baby, Toddler Time, Autismfriendly and a weekly Kids Club.

Horniman Museum and Gardens

London Road SE23 3PQ www.horniman.ac.uk

Until 3 November

Dinosaur rEvolution

Which dino features are better – horns, spikes or quills? Did T-rex actually have feathers? And how did some dinosaurs survive extinction? Find out through animatronic models, fossil skeletons and skulls, dress up, games and more.

Daily from 5 May

Under the Sea Soft Play Slide, balance, climb and bounce at a brand new aquarium-themed play area among netted play frames, bubbling ball ponds, fish shaped rockers and soft toys. Ages 6 and under.

Eltham Palace

Court Yard SE9 5QE www.english-heritage.org.uk

25 May-2 June

Kids Rule!

Meet Anne & George Boleyn at Eltham Palace and discover Anne’s rise in the Tudor Court. Learn all about courtly etiquette and have a go at Tudor dancing. Try your hand at writing poetry and enjoy fun games.

HMS Belfast

The Queen’s Walk SE1 2JH www.iwm.org.uk/hms-belfast

Until 24 May

Life at Sea: Scrambled Eggs

Follow a trail, help the ship’s cooks find hidden eggs and see where a team of six bakers would have worked to produce enough bread for several ships.

Weekends

Meet the Crew

Delve into life onboard the ship through eye-witness accounts of sailors and hands-on objects. Ages 7+.

National Maritime Museum

Romney Road, Greenwich SE10 9NF

www.rmg.co.uk/nationalmaritime-museum

26 May-2 June

Half-Term Fun

Drop in for daily make-and-do workshops. With a focus on engineering, families can engage through creative experimentation with concepts linked to RMG’s collections. FREE.

22 June

Windrush Day

A celebration of Windrush Day across the National Maritime Museum, Queen’s House and grounds, offering talks, performances, music, food and workshops for all ages. FREE.

National Portrait Gallery St Martin’s Place WC2H 0HE www.npg.org.uk

15 May

Little Explorers FREE monthly sessions where families explore the gallery and the collection through stories, songs and making activities in a fun and relaxed atmosphere. Under 5s.

Queen’s House

Romney Road, Greenwich SE10 9NF

www.rmg.co.uk/queens-house

18 May

Caribbean Takeover

Celebrate the impact of Caribbean culture on a day filled with talks, workshops, food and music for all ages.

27, 29, 31 May

Character Actors

Meet different characters from history who all have fascinating tales to tell of life in the royal residence.

Royal Observatory Greenwich Blackheath Avenue SE10 8XJ www.rmg.co.uk/royalobservatory

Daily Shows

The Sky Tonight

A live show taking visitors on a tour of what can be seen in the night sky, complete with a fly-out to the edge of the visible universe. Ages 7+.

Weekends and Holiday Weekdays

Ted’s Space Adventure

Explore the solar system with a bear named Ted, learning about the things we find there and how they affect us. Ages 3-7.

Cutty Sark

King William Walk SE10 9HT www.rmg.co.uk/cuttysark

First Weekend of Every Month

Family Fun Weekends

Climb aboard for family-friendly workshops and activities for all ages.

Weekends and Holiday Weekdays

Meet the Characters

Meet the captain, chat with the cook and take a tour with Nannie the Figurehead!

Florence Nightingale Museum Lambeth Palace Road SE1 7EW www.florence-nightingale.co.uk

25 May-2 June

Half-Term for Families

Fun and interactive family activities including nursing stories and a hands-on poppies making craft sessions.

Dulwich Picture Gallery Gallery Road SE21 7AD www.dulwichpicturegallery.org. uk

Art Sundays

Be inspired to make art together as a family in these FREE creative workshops at the Gallery.

Family Fridays FREE, expressive art-inspired activities for families.

Last Thursday of the month

Mini Masterpieces

Take your little one on a journey through the Gallery to discover people, places and animals in paintings, followed by a ‘messy play’ art-making activity. Ages under 5.

MUSEUMS & MONUMENTS

Queen’s House