I have just witnessed the definition of a children’s comedy show.  Intelligent, hilarious and so brilliantly clever The Showstoppers’ Christmas kids show is now going to mark the start of every Christmas for my family and I (no matter how old the kids get!).

Having 4 children and the whole family being from a performing background, we have seen our fair share of kid’s comedy show’s especially Christmas themed ones.  From Aliens to Ice Queens, Pig’s to panto’s we have tasted a few over the years but none, have even come close to how amazing this show was.

From the entrance to Leicester Square’s Spiegeltent, reminiscent of PT Barnum’s travelling circus, the atmosphere and venue were perfect for this interactive experience.

The show started very cautiously, with the performers coming out very slowly from behind a curtain to the side of the stage dressed as Santa’s elves and gently making their way around the audience shaking hands and giving high fives, perfect for those children with a slightly more cautious disposition (like my 6 year old) and including them from the very beginning, putting everyone at ease.

We were soon thrown into the deep end though asking for suggestions from the kids in the audience for a setting and with a panto-esque vote of cheers the ‘haunted Christmas mansion’ was decided upon.

Either the kids in the audience were much more politically aware or their parents were having a cheeky whisper in the ear (completely against the rules!), but we ended up with Jeremy Hunt being the protagonist, meeting an abominable snowman who farted (this was definitely more the theme I thought we would see!) so much that Jeremy had to hide in a washing machine until Donald Trump came to save the day!

The kids were in stitches and parents in awe at the clever lyrics and various acting styles used throughout the show.  With plenty of nods to traditional pantomime; audience participation (which wasn’t as cringy as most) kids up on the stage to do a dance routine, call and response section, and props (the vampire squid’s tentacles made from light sabres were genius!) but in such a refreshing environment, this truly is an improvisation masterclass!

A special mention must also go to the duo on keyboard and drums who not only picked up the style and pace of each musical number, but also pushed certain numbers on and showed great variety in each song.

At just under an hour, the show was a perfect length for all the children, and as a lovely extra touch they were all invited to come and draw pictures of the story they had created with the cast.

We all absolutely loved it, if I could give it 6 stars, I would!  I am now booking for their Olivier award winning adults show at the Lyric, as well as adding the kids Christmas show to my calendar for next year – a new Christmas tradition!

Review by Amy Farlie

The Showstoppers Christmas Kids show is running on the 30th November and the 1st December in Leicester Square. Visit the Christmas in Leicester Square website for more information.

If you like this review you might also like my review of White Christmas, Six and & Juliet.