Sat 4 Feb
The Three Snake-Leaves (For adults and ages 14+)
By The Company of Storytellers: (Ben Haggarty, Hugh Lupton, Sally Pomme Clayton & musicians Dylan Fowler and Gill Stevens)

In a subtle, beguiling and seamless performance, the Company of Storytellers journey deep into a realm of grown-up myths, and unpick a rich tangle of stories that are humorous, dark and moving by turn.

7 – 13 Feb
Grimms’ Sheesha (For ages 8+)
By Peter Chand

Vivid South Asian versions of some strangely familiar tales, including reflections of the famous girl with the lost shoe, a thumb-sized son and siblings abandoned in the woods. Many Grimms’ tales first arrived in Europe from the East, via the mouths of merchants, travellers and migrants. This exciting journey reveals a vibrant and alternative worldview of the stories we think we know.

14 – 19 Feb
Grim Grimms (For ages 8+)
By Ben Haggarty & Sherry Robinson

Discover the darker side of the Grimms. These full-blooded tales, exploring themes of loyalty and sacrifice, betrayal and forgiveness, are for our braver and bolder listeners. Grimm by name, grim by nature, these tales are packed with humour, sneaky tricks, daring exploits and dramatic adventure. Enter the wild side of the fairytale forest and be thrilled.

21 – 26 Feb
A Year in the Forest (For ages 5+)
By Sally Pomme-Clayton

Under a dappled sun and falling leaves, over thick snow and a carpet of flowers, younger listeners will be taken on a journey through the forest’s seasons. Listen out for elves, forest gnomes, a talking bird, a cottage, a palace and a witch casting spells. Sally Pomme Clayton’s lively language and humour, along with her collection of strange objects and musical instruments, bring these well-loved tales to life.

At dusk it becomes even more dazzling out there when the 76,000 Christmas lights twinkle out from the lofty plane trees framing the rink.

This year’s Ice Rink is even more bedazzling with the addition of an olde worlde Sweet Shop (every parent’s nightmare) by the main 950-square-metre skating rink and the sparkling vintage carousel returns again for rides. There is also the adjoining children’s rink for little skaters and even more penguin skate aids and skating marshals than last year to help learners small and large.

The Ice Rink and Café Bar stays open until 22.00 weekdays and weekends and you can book tickets online, prices start from £8.

The world’s been sad since Tuesday, the child has a fever and is hotter than a fish on a spit.

The dog chases its tail, Mother dreams of a new broom and Father gazes out to sea. The whole village is on the brink.

Then the sky gets frisky, the sea rears up and, in a bolt of lightning, a very old man with enormous wings crashes to earth in a flurry of feathers. Nothing will ever be the same again!

“Aieee! Aieee! It’s a miracle!”
The village celebrate and the very old man sings a shipwrecked shanty to the child.
“What is he? Thinks the child.
A cloud sleeper
A storm rider?
A moon watcher?
Or a raggedy ocean smelling fallen down Angel chicken man?”

Inspired by Gabriel Garcia Marquez’s story this is a startling world of ruined beauty and magic reality where everyone dreams of their five minutes of fame and riches, and the extraordinary takes flight.

A Kneehigh creative team, led by Mike Shepherd, combine forces with the Little Angel’s founding family – Lyndie, Sarah and Joe Wright – to celebrate Little Angel’s 50th anniversary year with a beautiful, brave and always entertaining new show.

For anyone age 6 and over who believes that an old man might fly.

A fun family festive show using hand carved marionettes. The mischievous wit of Brer Rabbit features in this Xmas adventure full of fun and surprises. A very special seasonal delight for both young and old.

“…surely one of the sweetest shows in London.” THE GUARDIAN

The show lasts just over an hour and includes a short interval

Performances from December 3rd to Jan 8th.

Children £8.50 and Adults £10.00

Entertainment will be provided by Froggle Parties entertainers! Froggle will be putting on a fantastic show for the kids that will include a mixture of lively party activities such as comedy magic, hilarious puppetry, lively party games, music and dancing, including conga and limbo dancing. There will be dancing competitions where the kids win amazing prizes. There will also be loads of funky balloon modelling, rocket balloons and bubble and snow machines.

Tickets cost: £10 per Child (Includes a light meal, all entertainment and a goody bag.) and £1 per Adult

For children ages 2-8 yrs and families

Wrap up warm and follow the twinkling lights of the grass road, to a gathering of festive carolers.

Then join them for mulled apple juice, hot chocolate and mince pies around a fire.

Donations welcome.

Wilbur’s no ordinary farmhouse pig and he’d do anything to avoid ending up on the dinner table.

But help arrives from the most unlikely of places… a spider’s web, in the corner of the barn. As Wilbur grows bigger and plumper, his friendship with the tiny spider Charlotte grows too. But how far will she go to save her best friend?

Casting a web of enchantment over children and adults this winter, E.B.White’s classic is brought to life in the best tradition of Polka’s winter shows, with magic, excitement, songs and unforgettable characters. Will Charlotte and Fern the farmer’s daughter be able to save the “terrific” and “radiant” Wilbur? Head to Polka to find out!

“Find the animal in the human, and the human in the animal, in a thoroughly entertaining way” The Sunday Times

Running Time 2 hours including interval

tickets

Weekends £16

Weekdays £14

Concessions £10

A special hallo-marine trail will highlight some very “halloweeny” sounding sea creatures – from Blood Shrimps to Bat Fish and Spider Crabs – plus there will be spooky face painting feeds every day, and interactive talks will tell some of the real scare stories of the sea. And of course, the Fish Witch, will be welcoming guests to the spooky rainforest where the crocodiles and pirahanas live deep within the aquarium.

Plus not to be missed is the new “Penguins: Ice Adventure” featuring a family of rare Gentoo Penguins and an ocean full of fun to discover with thousands of marine creatures from every part of the world.

Visit www.sealife.co.uk/london for more details

The hotel will run classes on 12th and 19th November and in April 2012 for kids aged between five and ten.

Watch this space for more details.

This weekend from Friday 29 April to Monday 2 May, those lucky enough to share their first name with Prince William or his blushing bride-to-be, Kate, can enjoy a free day out at the Zoo to mark the royal occasion.

Royal namesakes should head to ZSL London Zoo to mark the regal occasion with a day out with the animals, including the impressive Asian lions and rather majestic giraffes.

Over at ZSL Whipsnade Zoo Wills and Kates can take a ride on the Jumbo Express, watch the Sealions splash about in their pool and make sure to pay a visit to the herd of Asian elephants to watch them play in their paddock at the 600-acre zoo.

If your name is Will or Kate (or William, or Catherine, or Wills, or Cat…) then bring your passport along to ZSL London or Whipsnade Zoo on the Royal Wedding weekend and enjoy a great day out for free.