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Birmingham Rep in Centenary Square, Birmingham
Text reads: Zanib Mian's Planet Omar Accidental Trouble Magnet, Adapted by Asif Khan, directed by Sameena Hussain. A young boy wearing a stripey top and dark trousers stands in front of an orange background with his hands on his hips. Objects such as spaceships, magnets, books and stars swirl around him.
News

Five New Family-Friendly Shows Announced

We’ve loved seeing all your reactions to our upcoming Spring 2026 season full new takes on classics, adaptations of best-sellers, and a host of new commissions but you may have noticed that the announcement was a *little* light on family-focused programming…

Well fret not! Because we’ve just announced FIVE new family-friendly shows joining us next year to battle even the most stubborn cases of half-term boredom!

From a brand new, out-of-this-world co-production with our friends at Leeds Playhouse & Unicorn Theatre;  to a brilliant baby friendly night out with Bring Your Own Baby Comedy, a one-night-only comedy club at The Rep – we have a spectacular feast of family programming for at ages 11 and below (and of course their adults!)

But before we start taking about the new shows, here’s a little reminder of the already announced family programming coming to The Rep!

 

A performer in traditional red African attire stands on stage with arms outstretched, under dramatic red lighting, behind her two others also have their arms outstretched to resemble a spider

Anansi the Spider

Thu 4 Dec – Sun 11 Jan

While Sherlock Holmes and The Twelve Days of Christmas takes to the main House stage over Christmas for audiences aged 10+ (Fri 14 Nov – Sun 18 Jan), we have the perfect festive feast in store for our younger audiences – a  terrific trio of trickster tales to The Door! (That’s waaay too many T’s)

Following a sold-out run in London in 2023, the infamous Spider God Anansi – the original trickster and the master spinner of yarns, will be spinning the greatest tales from West Africa and the Caribbean for children aged 4 to 8 from (Thu 4 Dec – Sun 11 Jan).

Find out more here!
Three actors in animal costumes (The Gruffalo's Child, An Owl and A Mouse) stand in front of painted trees on stage. They appear surprised.

The Gruffalo’s Child

Fri 20 – Sun 22 Feb

In the New Year, the Gruffalo’s Child welcomes everyone aged 3+ to join her on an adventurous adaptation of the much-loved picture book by Julia Donaldson and Axel Scheffler.

Following snowy tracks through the wild and windy weather in the deep dark wood, where she encounters mysterious creatures – will she heed the warning of her father about the Big Bad Mouse. Who OBVIOUSLY doesn’t really exist… right?

Find out more here!
Stylised illustration of

Last Unicorn Airways

Sat 18 Apr, 11am & 2pm

All Abroad! Join us for a round ticket trip on the fantastical final flight of Last Unicorn Airways! Adapted from Hans Christian Andersen‘s timeless tale, two whimsical baggage handlers will be taking children ages 4+ into a heart-warming sensory experience, opening suitcases brimming with trinkets, fine clothes, alluring smells and exciting tales.

Last Unicorn Airways offers a unique, interactive experience for every audience member making this show perfect for everyone, including families and children with complex needs and disabilities.

Find out more here!

And if that isn’t exciting enough, let’s take a look at the additional shows joining the season!

Three cartoon pigs are sketched against a red background. One is lifting weights, one posing and the third is reading a book.

The Three Little Pigs - The Muscial

Mon 16 & Tue 17 Feb

Just in time for the spring half term, Wise Owl Theatre’s heart-warming, family-friendly musical ‘tail’ – The Three Little Pigs will be huffing, puffing and blowing away audience members aged 4 and up!

Legendary songwriting duo, Stiles and Drewe make a welcome return to our stages after the success of Becoming Nancy back in 2024, to bring new life to the classic story with clever rhymes, heaps of humour and of course, some catchy songs!

Find out more here!
A white woman in a blue shirt with brown hair holds up two clay balls in front of her eyes and pulls a funny face.

Claytime

Sat 11 Apr

Roll up one and all – and maybe roll up your sleeves while you’re at it, because we’ll be welcoming our smallest audience members to get immersed (and maybe a little messy) with Indefinite Articles’ Claytime.  

This truly one-of-a-kind show combines hands-on play with natural clay, with the vast imaginations of children aged 4 – 6, to create a world of fabulous forms, amazing animals and morphing monsters created directly from the audience.

Find out more here!
A young baby stands up against a stage, a comedians legs can be seen along with a microphone stand.

Bring Your Own Baby Comedy

Wed 13 May 

No need to leave the little one at home! The UK’s premier baby friendly comedy club will also be making a pit stop in The Door, for an afternoon of hilarious comedy, where you can relax and have a good laugh at the best comedians in the UK, without needing childcare.

Get ready for laughs, gurgles and some of the cutest heckles you’ll ever hear!

Find out more here!
A young person stands confidently with hands on hips, wearing a black and blue striped T-shirt against an orange background. Surrounding them are colorful illustrations of a rocket, book, planet, magnet, beaker, and math symbols. In the background is the shadow of a dragon. Large text reads Zanib Mian's Planet Omar: Accidental Trouble Magnet' with the text credits adapted by Asif Khan, directed by Sameena Hussain.

Planet Omar

Wed 17 – Sat 21 Jun

We’re joining forces with our friends at Leeds Playhouse (A Thousand Splendid Suns and Small Island) and Unicorn Theatre (Anansi the Spider) to bring the world premiere production of Planet Omar for a limited run only!

Based on the beloved books by Zanib Mian, Planet Omar has been brought to life by award-winning playwright Asif Khan and director Sameena Hussain. This world premiere production is a joyful and funny adventure following 8-year-old Omar, with a wild imagination, a big heart, and a (accidental) knack for getting into trouble.  

Find out more here!
A lively audience of children have their hands in the air, an actor stands on stage holding an accordion.

Comedy Club 4 Kids

Thu 30 Jul

And as a treat for the summer holidays, we’ll be playing host to the very best stand-ups and sketch acts from the international circuit to do their thing for an audience of children and their families – so, it’s just like a normal comedy club, but without the rude bits!  

This hilarious comedy show is perfect for kids aged 6 and up, so while heckling isn’t exactly encouraged – it’s definitely expected! 

Find out more here!
Tickets for Rep Gold & Silver Friends, Access Register now open

 

Rep Bronze Friends opens:

Thu 16 Oct at 12pm

Public Booking opens:

Fri 17 Oct at 12pm