Somebody somewhere had a brilliant idea when they invented Kids Week in the West End. If you haven't heard about it before, it works like this: from the 14th to the 28th August, theatres across London are offering free tickets to children aged 5 to 16, when accompanied by a paying adult.
No, I don't know why they call it Kids Week when the event lasts for a fortnight. That, perhaps, was a less brilliant idea.
The event was officially launched this week with a performance of The Tiger Who Came to Tea, attended by celebrities including pop star Jamelia (shown here with her children Tiana and Teja, and some of the cast and director of the show).
Not surprisingly, these shows are immensely popular - I know I've tried to book tickets in the past and been unsuccessful. So I want to alert you to the fact that the booking lines for Kids Week have just opened, full details here.
These are some of the highlights of the event:
Participating shows include popular musicals Billy Elliot The Musical, Disney's The Lion King, Hairspray, Sister Act and Wicked as well as plays such as Carrie's War, Peter Pan, The 39 Steps, War Horse, plus many more.
The Kids Week fun doesn't stop there, children can also take part in a range of free show linked activities and workshops designed to engage and inspire the next generation of theatre lovers.
Children can go 'Behind the Barricades' with Les Misérables, 'Unleash Your Inner Dancing Queen' with Mamma Mia! or meet the cast and crew of Wicked at an exclusive question and answer session.
In addition to these activities, Kids Week offers a series of unique workshops including a dance class with English National Ballet, an opportunity to peek behind the scenes of the Lyric Hammersmith or learn about stage and set design with The Tricycle Theatre.
Booking lines are now open, and you can secure your tickets by visiting the website, or by calling 0844 248 5151.