THE LIGHTHOUSE KEEPER'S CAT

Hamish, the lighthouse keeper’s cat, thinks he’s unloved because he overhears Mr and Mrs Grinling say he’s too plump to catch the lighthouse mice. So he runs away but, trapped up a tree as a storm begins, Hamish sadly watches the lighthouse beam flashing across the sea and wishes he were home.
“Well, my quivering ginger whiskers,” he thinks. “It’s time to go home!”
But however will he make it? This captivating and popular modern classic is a must-read bedtime story for many, and the Rude Mechanicals have brought plenty of fun to this stage version.
The show is at Canterbury’s Gulbenkian Theatre on Tuesday, April 15, at 2pm. Tickets cost £7. Call 01227 769075.

BANANAS IN PYJAMAS

“Are you thinking what I’m thinking, B1?”
“I think I am, B2.”
“It’s Banana-riffic!”
It’s Partytime in Cuddlestown Park. But wait, the guest of honour’s gone missing? It’s a banana emergency! Join the kids’ favourites B1, B2, Amy, Lulu and Morgan in this brand new, all-singing, all-dancing show. With plenty of audience participation, and slapstick fun, this is your chance to help the banana detectives solve the case.
The show is at Margate Winter Gardens on Sunday, April 13, at 1pm. Tickets cost £12.50 for adults and £10.50 for children, with a family ticket for £42. Call 01843 292795.

THE SOOTY SHOW

Don’t forget the Sooty show is still in Kent this week. The kids’ favourite and his gang of hand puppets promise a spectacular mix of magic, music, mess and guaranteed giggles for Sooty fans old and new.
The show’s at Maidstone’s Hazlitt Theatre on Tuesday, April 15. Tickets cost £13. Call 01622 758611.

JUST SO STORIES

Rudyard Kipling’s best-beloved tales are brought to vivid life through this stage production of Just So Stories. Four talented young actors use umbrellas, pots, pans, socks, cushions, tennis balls, lampshades, and much more to create fantastical creatures and worlds, leading their audience on an unforgettable interactive and song-filled journey from Pusat Tasek, the heart of the sea, to the banks of the great grey-green Limpopo River.
Just So Stories is at Maidstone’s Hazlitt Theatre on Friday, April 11, at 2.30pm. Tickets cost £10. Call 01622 758611.

SCIENCE MUSEUM LIVE

Methane bubbles are set alight to make fireballs, hydrogen balloons explode and rockets are fired into the audience. Stand back and cover your ears! Two futuristic science students race against time to prove their knowledge of energy. With help from the incredible virtual lab-assistant, i-nstein, and a workshop full of gadgets and chemicals, they explore, experiment and explode anything and everything they can find.
The Science Museum’s live show comes first to the Assembly Hall Theatre in Tunbridge Wells this Saturday, April 12, and Sunday, April 13. Tickets cost £15 for adults and £12 for children. Call 01892 530613. It then moves to Canterbury’s Marlowe Theatre on Friday, April 25, and Saturday, April 26, then to Dartford’s Orchard Theatre on May 6 and 7.

THANET GANG SHOW

“Every day of every year, somewhere in the world a gang show is taking place,” said Ralph Reader, founder of the gang show format which has been used by Thanet Scouts and Guides since 1946. This variety show presents local youngsters showing a different side of scouting and guiding – no campfires and no Ging Gang Goolie, just an enjoyable family show which is an established part of the Theatre Royal Programme.
The show’s on Thursday, April 17, Saturday, April 19 and Monday, April 21. Tickets at £7 on 01843 292795.

PEPPA PIG'S BIG SPLASH

Join Peppa and her friends for another adventure full of songs, games and muddy puddles.
The nursery roof is leaking and Peppa and her friends need to fix it, quick. As they set up a fete to raise the money for the repairs, they’ll need your help. Join Peppa, George, Mummy and Daddy Pig, as well as Danny Dog, Pedro Pony and Suzy Sheep as they put up the bunting and organise a great day out. So grab your wellies and brollies and get splashing! Peppa is at Canterbury’s Marlowe Theatre from Friday, April 18, to Sunday, April 20. Tickets £15.50 for adults, £13.50 for children and £54 for a family ticket. Call 01227 787787.
Peppa Pig’s Big Splash is also showing at Gravesend’s Woodville Hall on Wednesday, June 11 and Thursday, June 12, and Bromley’s Churchill Theatre on September 3 and 4.

THE PILLOWMAKER

This interactive adventure show for young families spins the yarn of Mr Pillowmaker, who comes from a long line of pillow makers. Throughout all time they have used magical stuff to fill their super soft, plump pillows for beds and heads across the land. One day, Mr Pillowmaker finds that for the first time ever, his stuff box is empty and now he doesn’t have anything to stuff his pillows with! Join him inside Pillow Cottage and take part in a participatory, musical and sensory adventure to discover how to make his magical stuff come back again.
The show is at the Gulbenkian Theatre at several times throughout Wednesday, April 15 and Thursday, April 17. Tickets cost £7. Call 01227 769075.