This time we’re looking at the top children’s and family shows from across the north of England.

White Christmas The Musical
Lowry, Manchester : 27 November – 9 January 2010
The spectacular stage musical of the classic 1954 movie starring Bing Crosby makes its North West debut at The Lowry featuring the voice of Aled Jones.
http://www.thelowry.com/

The Secret Garden
West Yorkshire Playhouse, Leeds : 8 December – 23 January
Francis Hodgson Burnett’s beautiful story of young Mary Lennox who is is suddenly orphaned and she has to adapt to life in wintry Yorkshire. Spoilt Mary is won over by her caring maid Martha and her brother, animal lover Dickon, and the enchantment of a very special garden.

Grimm Tales
Library Theatre, Manchester : 5 December – 23 January
The Brothers Grimm’s twisted tales adapted by Carol Ann Duffy. These aren’t the fluffy tales you’ll find at other venues showing this Christmas at other venues across the country but dark and sometimes scary but a winner for the over sixes who love their gore.
http://www.librarytheatre.com/

Santa’s Naughty Elf
Customs House, South Shields : 19 – 24 December
Join Santa and his elves for a brand new Christmas sing-a-long adventure where all the all children will meet Santa and receive a special gift.
http://www.customshouse.co.uk/

Spaceship ’87
Royal Exchange, Manchester : 16 December – 02 January
A fluorescent voyage exploring the power of the imagination, travelling through space, hopes and fears, accompanied by a classic 1980s soundtrack. A little girl’s bedroom has been turned into a spaceship – a place to dream of astronauts, aliens and asteriods. But there is a storm which threatens to destroy everything and only the little girl can stop it.
http://www.royalexchangetheatre.org.uk/