Swallows and Amazons Tickets

The West End boasts a great deal of stand-out shows this Christmas, whether it is the return of “The Gruffalo” or the annual appearance of shows such as “The Snowman” at the Peacock Theatre. However, another family adventure is set to embark at the Vaudeville Theatre from December to January and it takes the form of “Swallows and Amazons”, a musical based on the 1930 novel by Arthur Ransome. The show will feature music by The Devine Comedy’s Neill Hannon and the acting talents of the likes of Akiya Henry and Stewart Wright, among others, plus with a recommended age range of 6 and above it should prove to be a worthwhile family adventure.

The action takes place in the Lake District in 1929, where we met the Walker family and the Blackett family, and it is the children of both households – the titular Swallows and Amazons – that embark on a great adventure. The Walkers are holidaying near a lake during the summer and the Blacketts inhabit a nearby farmhouse, but it is on an island in the middle of the water that the children meet one another, indulging in adventures with piracy, exotic locations, arch nemeses and more along the way.

The original novel first emerged on shelves back in 1930 and spawned a number of other novels in the same series, in addition to television, film and radio adaptations. The current musical was developed by the National Theatre in 2007 and premiered at the Bristol Old Vic in 2010, proving to be a successful enough venture – including positive reviews - to introduce it to London theatre audiences at the end of 2011.

Two of the actors appearing in the production are Akiya Henry and Stewart Wright, who both appeared in the production at the Bristol Old Vic and have previously appeared in a wealth of shows in London and beyond. Henry has appeared in “The Beggar’s Opera” at the Open Air Theatre, Regent’s Park, and “Once in a Lifetime” at the National Theatre, whilst Wright has appeared in “All My Sons” at the National Theatre and “The Magistrate” at the Savoy Theatre.

With Arthur Miller’s “Broken Glass” finishing its run at the Vaudeville Theatre in December, “Swallows and Amazons” follows it from Monday 19th December 2011 (previews from Thursday 15th December 2011) to Saturday 14th January 2012.