6+5 children's shows worth seeing during the holidays

Coming out of the theatre on a Sunday afternoon, the 6 and 8 year olds we accompanied to one of the children's performances that are being played in Athens are starting to talk to each other.

«Why is it that only revolutionary plays are performed in this theatre?» asks one of them. «I think it's because they want to teach a lesson,» replies another. «What's a lesson?» another joins the conversation, only to receive his friend's forlorn reply: «A lesson, they show you in the play how you can change the things you don't like. To make a revolution.».

The performance we had seen was «We are patsy», by the group Guild of Laughter, famous for its... revolutionary children's performances. And it's just one of the children's shows playing in town right now that we can't get enough of seeing, kids and parents alike.

Children's performances that stand out

We have made a careful selection and recommend those that - apart from plenty of laughter - give children the precious «food for thought» and imagination without any limitations. A difficult choice, as - unfortunately - the bar in children's theatre has been raised very high. Enjoy them!

1. An elf at my door

A kind-hearted elf gets a job in a toy factory, but has a magical, secret mission to complete that will bring smiles and gifts. The sweet Christmas story of «An Elf at My Door» was created by an incredibly beloved team of creators, the Copernicus.

Along with the actors, a special, shapely doll is also «playing». The text was written by the award-winning duo Angelos Angelou Angelou - Emi Sini, while the director is, firmly, Guy Stefanou.

– OLVIO Theatre: 67 Iera Odos & 7 Phalaisia Street, Botanikos - Tel: 210 3414118 - Book tickets 

Tip:

If you're sweet on the Copernicus group, you can catch two more of their performances over the holidays. One is «Mr. Keechie and the secret Box of Sounds!», also at the Olvio Theatre, and the other is «Music is prohibited», at the Michael Cacoyannis Foundation.

2. We are Patsy

A single-parent family takes to the stage and shares with us the challenges they face, with humour, lots of singing and messages around gender equality and gender discrimination.

Η Guild of laughter is staging another work of «social theatre for children», by Volker Ludwig, directed by one of the group's creators, Vassilis Koukalani. We highly recommend it.

- Contemporary Theatre: 45 Evmolpiedon Street, Gazi (Metro Station Kerameikos) - Tel: 2103464380 - Book tickets 

Tip:

Look for two more children's shows of the same group: «The Mormol», which will also be performed at the Contemporary Theatre during the holidays (26 December 2022-15 January 2023), but also the «A feast at Nurian's», which we had suggested before and starts again there on 22 January 2023.

3. Tartuffe

Children get to know Molière's story of Tartuffe, a lord «a liar with a helmet», through this special adaptation for young children, adapted and directed by Eleni Vlachou.

The troupe that last year «broke the box office» travels us again this year to Paris of another era, to the music of Ilias Vamvakousis, performed live.

– Jenny Karezi Theatre: 3 Akadimias Street, Athens 106 71 - Tel: 2103636144 - Book tickets

Tip:

Don't miss the «Erotocritus», adapted and directed by the same director, which is being performed for the third year with repeated sold out performances. It will not have performances on all days of the Holidays, but continues through 1/28/2023.

4. Peace

Vassilis Mavrogeorgiou, an enfant terrible of the theatre in recent years, also deals with children's theatre with great love. This year he is adapting Aristophanes« »Irene" especially for young children at the Art Theatre, and he is also directing the play.

The troupe plays, sings and dances - with live music, composed by Nikos Kypourgos - and talks to us about peace and how to claim it. A very good first introduction to the ancient writers.

– Karolos Koun Art Theatre: 14 Fρυνichou Street, Plaka - Tel: 2103222464, 2103236732 - Book tickets

5. Ball on the air

Without props, without theatrical costumes, three actors and a bright red balloon climb up on a wooden platform and hit the bull's eye. The little minds start working, imagining and dreaming, along with Marilou and her balloon, Bal.

The little girl's fears are the fears of the children watching her, and the talented Patari Project team helps them work through them with an imaginative, interactive finale. Directed by Sophia Paschou.

– Music Library «Lillian Voudouri» at the Athens Concert Hall: Vas. Sofias & Kokkali, Athens 11521 - Tel: 210 72 82 778 - Book tickets

6. Elaphodain, the Aesop otherwise

Sophia Kapsourou gives a kiss to a wise deer, the deer, Elaphodain, and we will see it trying to bring reconciliation between the animals of the forest, which were misunderstood by the... myths of Aesop!

In the performance we see the myths as the French poet Lafontaine «read» them, with the differences being bridged. George Souleyman directs and the music is by Themis Karamouratidis.

- Amphitheatre of Technopolis D. Athens 100 Pireos Street, Athens 118 54 - Book tickets

Tip:

The performance is performed in Technopolis of the Municipality of Athens, i.e. The Christmas Factory. Combine both with a common ticket of 12 euros (performance and entrance to The Christmas Factory).