Five Family Shows That Made Last Season Memorable
Family entertainment has a special place in Figueres a Escena’s programme. A successful children’s show can fill Teatre El Jardí with laughter, invite young audiences into Sala La Cate, and give parents an experience they genuinely enjoy too. Last season brought together theatre, puppetry, music, movement, and visual storytelling in a programme full of imagination.
The five productions selected here stood out for different reasons. Some created large, colourful worlds; others explored friendship, nature, identity, or the power of curiosity. Together, they showed how varied a family performance can be, from a lively afternoon of comedy to a quiet story that stays with children long after the curtain falls.
These highlights also reflect the wider role of Figueres a Escena. The venues are places where families discover performing arts together, while ATEB encourages children, teenagers, and adults to take part in theatre themselves. For upcoming family activities and performances, explore the current family programme.
Laika: Wonder With A Human Heart
Laika was one of the season’s most captivating visual theatre experiences. Inspired by the story of the first dog sent into space, the production transformed a historical event into an accessible tale about courage, loneliness, scientific ambition, and the bond between humans and animals. Puppetry, light, sound, and movement worked together to create a magical atmosphere that appealed to children and adults at the same time.
Its greatest strength was the balance between spectacle and emotion. Young spectators could follow the adventure through striking images and gentle humour, while older members of the audience recognised the more thoughtful questions beneath the story. Laika encouraged families to talk about exploration, responsibility, and how progress can affect living beings.
Safari: A Playful Journey Into The Wild
Safari brought energy and comedy to the family programme through a lively theatrical adventure. With its colourful characters and playful approach to the animal world, the show invited children to look closely at nature and the relationship between people and their surroundings. The action moved quickly, keeping younger viewers engaged without making the story feel rushed.
The production also demonstrated how humour can introduce meaningful ideas. Beneath the fun were themes of cooperation, respect, and learning to see beyond first impressions. It was the kind of performance that worked equally well as a first theatre experience and as a joyful outing for children already familiar with live shows.
| Show | Main art form | Themes | Best suited to |
|---|---|---|---|
| Laika | Puppetry and visual theatre | Courage, responsibility, exploration | Children and adults who enjoy imaginative stories |
| Safari | Theatre and comedy | Nature, friendship, cooperation | Younger children and family groups |
| Bunji, The Little Koala | Storytelling and puppetry | Belonging, family, resilience | Early-years audiences |
| The Little Prince | Theatre, music, and visual design | Friendship, imagination, growing up | Families with children of different ages |
| Elmer, The Multicoloured Elephant | Theatre and music | Identity, acceptance, self-confidence | Young children and first-time theatre-goers |
Bunji, The Little Koala: A Tender Story Of Belonging
Bunji, The Little Koala offered a softer, more intimate kind of family performance. Its central character faced an unfamiliar world and had to find a sense of security, connection, and home. The story was easy for younger children to understand, yet it left room for parents to recognise deeper emotions around separation, change, and growing independence.
The production’s gentle rhythm made it especially welcoming for early-years audiences. Puppetry and visual details helped communicate feelings that very young spectators may not yet be able to express in words. Rather than overwhelming its audience with constant action, Bunji trusted silence, repetition, and warmth to build an emotional connection.
The Little Prince: A Classic With Fresh Energy
The Little Prince remains one of the most enduring stories for family audiences because it speaks differently to every generation. The season’s production brought its familiar themes of friendship, imagination, love, and responsibility to the stage through a combination of theatrical storytelling, music, and visual design.
For children, the show offered an adventure through planets and unusual encounters. For adults, it opened a more reflective path through ideas about memory, loneliness, and the importance of paying attention. That double meaning made it an excellent shared experience: children could enjoy the images and characters while parents discovered new layers in a story they may already know.
The production also encouraged audiences to think about how we see the world. Its message was especially valuable in a cultural programme designed for families because it celebrated curiosity over certainty. The theatre became a place where children could ask big questions without needing immediate answers.
Elmer, The Multicoloured Elephant: Difference As A Strength
Elmer, The Multicoloured Elephant was a bright and welcoming celebration of individuality. The familiar character’s patchwork appearance gave the production an immediate visual identity, while the story explored the desire to fit in and the relief that comes with being accepted as yourself. Music, colour, and movement made the performance particularly engaging for younger children.
Its central idea was simple but powerful: difference does not need to be hidden. Children saw a character who tried to change in order to belong, only to discover that his distinctive qualities were what made him special to his community. That message connected naturally with the values of inclusive education and creative expression.
The show also worked well as an introduction to theatre. Its clear storytelling, lively atmosphere, and memorable character gave first-time spectators a positive experience of live performance. Families could enjoy the production together and continue the conversation afterwards, perhaps by discussing what makes each person unique.
What Made These Family Performances Stand Out
Although the five shows used different styles, they shared several qualities that made them memorable. Each respected its young audience, presenting complex feelings and ideas without becoming inaccessible. The productions trusted children to observe, imagine, laugh, and interpret rather than treating them as passive spectators.
They also created opportunities for genuine family connection. A live performance asks everyone to share the same space and attention for a while, away from individual screens and everyday distractions. The experience continues in the journey home, at the dinner table, or in a child’s own play after seeing a character or image on stage.
Ways To Choose A Family Show
- Choose puppetry or visual theatre for children who respond strongly to images, movement, and atmosphere.
- Look for gentle stories about friendship or belonging when introducing a young child to live performance.
- Select a classic such as The Little Prince when adults and older children want several layers of meaning.
- Allow time after the show for conversation, drawing, role-play, or a simple retelling of the story.
- Check the performance information carefully for age guidance, duration, venue, and additional activities.
Family programming becomes especially meaningful when it forms part of a wider cultural routine. A visit to Teatre El Jardí or Sala La Cate can be a child’s first encounter with theatre, music, dance, cinema, or circus. It may also inspire them to join a workshop, attend a talk, or discover the creative opportunities available through ATEB.
The best performances leave something behind: a question, a melody, a new game, or a stronger sense of shared time. These five shows made last season memorable because they offered exactly that kind of lasting experience, combining artistic quality with stories that families could enjoy together.
Keep discovering the family-friendly side of Figueres a Escena by following the programme and reserving seats for the next performance that catches your imagination. A theatre visit may begin as an afternoon outing, but it can become the start of a lifelong relationship with the performing arts.