HOLIDAY ACTIVITIES
& THEATRE WORKSHOPS

Percy Jackson and The Lightening Thief

“Nothing like watching your relatives fight, I always say.”

Mount Olympus is at war, and Percy Jackson finds himself stuck in the middle of it all. This two day holiday project will cover the most epic stories from the world of Greek Mythology. Our acting skills will take us on a quest, as we journey to Camp Half-Blood,  tackle Poseidon’s Oceans and venture through Hades’ Underworld. Using a blend of theatre skills, this day is perfect for fans of Percy Jackson but ideal for anyone who loves the world of Greek Mythology.

The course is two days long, and lunch is provided by Cafe Whirl.

Age: 7-11 

Cost: £115 (10% discount for Playbox Members) 

Powerless

“The worst mistake you can make, is to underestimate me.”

The Kingdom of Ilya is separated into The Elite and The Ordinary, but just because someone is Ordinary, doesn’t make them Powerless. Inspired by Lauren Roberts’ huge trilogy, this day of theatre making will look at the world of Paedyn and Prince Kai and all the circumstances that lead them to each other. We will use our theatre skills to restage the world of Ilya and meet the characters from the story. The project would be suitable for anyone who loves these books as well as newcomers who love stories of power, fantasy and rebellion. 

The course is one day long, and lunch is provided by Cafe Whirl.

Age: 9-14 

Cost: £65 (10% discount for Playbox Members) 

Wonka and The Wonderful World of Dahl

“We are the music makers, and we are the dreamers of dreams.”

In anticipation of our Christmas Production of Roald Dahl’s Charlie and The Chocolate Factory, we are delighted to be bringing some Wonka to Playbox with this holiday project. Think everlasting gobstoppers, fizzing lifting drinks, and lickable wallpaper. Lets just hope no one falls in the chocolate river! With zany characters, amazing locations and exciting twists and turns, this timeless story is the perfect springboard for our members to enter their own worlds of pure imagination…

The course is one day long and lunch is provided by Cafe Whirl. 

Age: 5-8

Cost: £65 (10% discount for Playbox Members) 

High Jinks - Fun on the Farm

“We went to visit a farm one day, and saw a chick across the way!”

The cows need milking, the chicken’s eggs have been laid and even the pigs need cleaning out! There is plenty to do on The Playbox Farm but we need lots of helping hands. This three-hour session will involve heaps of movement, role-playing, singing and acting as well as some of our favourite farmyard stories. The session is run by our preschool expert Stacey and her friendly team. 

The course is a half-day and includes a picnic lunch from our Cafe Whirl. 

Age: 3-5

Cost: £35 (10% discount for Playbox Members) 

High Jinks - Easter Extravaganza 10:30 - 1:30

“Hop Little Bunnies, Hop Hop Hop!”

It is that time of year where the Easter Bunny has a big job to do. We will be getting very egg-sited about the prospect of hunting our delicious Easter treats. We will also be thinking about all the beautiful flowers, baby chicks and little lambs that we can see around spring time. We will have to get crafty, as we design and make some decorations for this special day. There will be lots of songs and stories to get us in the Easter spirit, but lets hope there are no Hot Cross Bunnies!

This course is a half-day and includes a picnic lunch from our Cafe Whirl. 

Age: 3-5

Cost: £35 (10% discount for Playbox Members) 

The Wonderful Wizard of Oz

“Lions and Tigers and Bears, Oh My!”

This three day Musical Theatre adventure will take us down The Yellow Brick Road and through to the Emerald City, exploring all the songs and choreography from the classic musical, The Wizard of Oz. Prepare to bop along with The Lollipop Guild and leap Somewhere Over The Rainbow. This course will end with a presentation for participant’s families on the final day.  

This course is three days long and includes lunch from our Cafe Whirl. 

Age: 7-12

Cost: £180 (10% discount for Playbox Members) 

Roald Dahl's Enormous Week

“A little nonsense now and then, is relished by the wisest men.”

At Playbox, we are huge fans of Roald Dahl’s stories and are so excited about our ‘Enormous Week’ of theatre inspired by some of his greatest works. Each day of the week will celebrate a different Roald Dahl story and will be run by a variety of Playbox Theatre directors. You can join us for one of the days, all of them or something in between – there will be plenty of nonsense for everyone!   

The cost includes lunch from our Cafe Whirl. Follow the links below to book for individual days, and if booking three or more days then get in touch for a discount rate! 

Age 5-8

Monday: Matilda
Tuesday: Fantastic Mr Fox
Wednesday: The BFG
Thursday: The Twits
Friday: George’s Marvellous Medicine

Cost: £70 for one day – and a discount for a three/four/five day bundle!

The Hunger Games: Staging Panem

“May the odds be ever in your favour!”

To celebrate the much anticipated West End production of The Hunger Games this autumn, we are going to explore these epic novels by Suzanne Collins and use our theatre skills to adapt them for stage. How can we bring to life the arena in our theatre? How can we portray the characters of Katniss and Peeta as actors? What elements of production can we bring in to recreate Panem and all it’s gory glory? This course will end with a presentation for participant’s families.  

This course is two days long and the cost includes lunch from our Cafe Whirl. 

Age 11-15

Cost: £130 (10% discount for Playbox members) 

Technical Theatre

“Lights, Camera, Action!”

This weekend course will take a look at all aspects of technical theatre. Led by our director, Rich, who has worked across the industry as a sound designer for many years, the participants will get a chance to use and manage our theatre’s professional rig and desk system. This course is perfect for those with an interest in the technical aspects of the stage, and is suitable for both beginners and those with experience. 

This course is two days long and the cost includes lunch from our Cafe Whirl. 

Age 13+

Cost: £130 (10% discount for Playbox members) 

Wicked - The Musical

“No one mourns The Wicked!”

We are all currently ‘holding space’ whilst we wait for the second part of the Wicked film to drop, so why not fill the gap with a week long musical theatre course exploring choreography and vocals from the original Broadway production?  Spend the week ‘Dancing Through Life’ and feeling as ‘Popular’ as Elphaba and Glinda The Good Witch. There will be a presentation for families of participants at 3pm on Friday 1st August to conclude the week. 

This course is five days long and the cost includes lunch from our Cafe Whirl. 

Age 11-15

Cost: £255 (10% discount for Playbox members) 

Mission: P.L.A.Y.B.O.X

“Careful, there are spies everywhere…”

We can’t tell you too much about this course, as it has all been classified as TOP SECRET information. But those of us who love stories about secret agents will be united in recreating some of the most thrilling scenes of spy-craft. All spies need to be good actors… but can we be convincing enough to be successful in our mission? 

This course is three days long and the cost includes lunch from our Cafe Whirl. 

Age 7-11

Cost: £180 (10% discount for Playbox members) 

Fairly Stupid Fairytales

“Run, run, run, as fast as you can, you can’t catch me, I’m the Stinky Cheese Man!”

The Stinky Cheese Man, The Three Little Wolves and The Big Bad Pig and all kinds of fairly stupid fairy tales have been totally mixed up and meddled with. This two day course will take some classic storybook tales and turn them on their head! Participants will use mime, movement and voice to retell their very own ‘alternative’ versions of the world’s most famous fairy tales. 

This course is two days long and the cost includes lunch from our Cafe Whirl. 

Age 5-8

Cost: £130 (10% discount for Playbox members) 

Starry Nights Lite

“I don’t know anything for certain, but the stars make me dream…”

The summer version of our hugely popular Spring production, Starry Nights Lite is the chance for young performers to gain valuable stage experience. With a cast of 30 and multiple directors, this course is an epic week with performers staging multiple scenes from some of Playbox’s most loved shows all concluding in a presentation for participant’s families. It is an intense week, and perfect for hard-working, dedicated performers who love to spend time on stage.  

This course is five days long and the cost includes lunch from our Cafe Whirl as well as a Starry Night’s T-shirt to wear for the performance. 

Age 7+

Cost: £265 (10% discount for Playbox members) 

A Midsummer Nights Dream

“I know a bank where the wild thyme grows…”

Playbox Theatre’s founder Mary King has directed multiple versions of Shakespeare’s most magical story in Playbox’s past and this summer will be running a two-day course for those who share a passion for The Bard! Using the text as a springboard, participants will explore the themes from the play and stage some famous scenes. There will be a presentation for the families of participants at the end of the two day course. 

This course is two days long and the cost includes lunch from our Cafe Whirl.

Age 7-11

Cost: £130 (10% discount for Playbox members) 

High Jinks: Explorer Week

“All aboard The Good Ship Playbox…!”

Three brilliant High Jinks workshops filled with imaginative role play and storytelling, come and join us on a journey into the jungle, a trek to the arctic circle or a deep dive across the seven seas. Each day will take on a different theme inspired by the great wonders of our world and your little one is welcome to join us for all three days or just one of our amazing adventures.

The workshops are three hours long and include a picnic lunch from our Cafe Whirl. 

Tuesday 22nd July – Jungle Journey

Wednesday 23rd July – Arctic Adventure

Thursday 24th July – Under the Sea

Age: 3-5

Cost: £40 per workshop (10% off for members)
We also offer a bundle rate if booking three or more High Jinks workshops. Get in touch for more info!

High Jinks: Movie Week

“Dreams are the wish your heart makes…”

This week at Playbox we will be celebrating all things Disney with three classic movies that the whole family love. Let it go with Elsa and Anna, say ‘Hakuna Matata’ with Timon and Puumba, or spend a day at the scare factory with Sully and Mike. These workshops will be filled with arts and crafts, songs from the soundtracks and lots of High Jinks!

The workshops are three hours long and include a picnic lunch from our Cafe Whirl. 

Tuesday 29th July – Frozen

Wednesday 30th July – The Lion King

Thursday 31st July – Monsters Inc

Age: 3-5

Cost: £40 per workshop (10% off for members)
We also offer a bundle rate if booking three or more High Jinks workshops. Get in touch for more info!

High Jinks: Flights of Fantasy

“I believe six impossible things before breakfast…”

Playbox Theatre sprinkles a little bit of magic with three High Jinks workshops that will take little imaginations to places beyond the grown-up’s realms. Fight with dragons, save treasure from pirates, crash land on a far off planet and so much more in Fantasy Week. Believe in the impossible! Join us for either one or all three of the fantasy workshops this week…

The workshops are three hours long and include a picnic lunch from our Cafe Whirl. 

Tuesday 5th August – Pirates Ahoy

Wednesday 6th August – Aliens in Space

Thursday 7th August – Knights and Princesses

Age: 3-5

Cost: £40 per workshop (10% off for members)
We also offer a bundle rate if booking three or more High Jinks workshops. Get in touch for more info!