"An engagement with theatre sparks children's creativity and imagination," says Emma de Souza who works for the Society of London Theatres. "It improves their social skills, sense of teamwork and confidence." That's why London's theatres are backing Kids Week from August 15 to 29, 2008, offering free tickets for kids when accompanied by an adult who pays full price for his or her ticket.

Shows where this is in effect include some of London's most popular -- Billy Elliot, The Lion King, The Sound of Music, Wicked, Mamma Mia!, The 39 Steps, and Stomp (be warned, parents, this all-percussion show is the noisiest in town. Since many of the "instruments," such as hubcaps, garbage can lids, and metal sticks, are not hard to find, the ability and urge to reproduce, at home, its sound may be irresistible to the young.)

Additionally, there are behind-the-scenes tours and a puppet workshop with the puppeteers from Avenue Q, and dance workshops with dancers from Chicago.

For a full list of all the shows participating, try the 24-hour Kids Week Tickets hotline at 011- 44(0) 844 248 5151 or visit KidsWeek.co.uk

For a comprehensive list of what's on, not on the Kids Week list but of interest to young adults, such as the Open Air Theatre in Regent's Park , Shakespeare's Globe and others, log on to www.OfficialLondonTheatre.co.uk. All you have to do is follow the prompts to "London Shows A-Z," then check age suitable or the name of the show. Tickets can then be purchased with a charge card. Don't worry, the system works. London theaters are very adept at online bookings and charge card payments.

Also on that website is a link to "tkts," the half-price tickets booth in Leicester Square. You can't buy tickets online but you can find out what is available, in person, at the tkts Booth in the middle of Leicester Square, across from the Hampshire Hotel. They are legit; however, most of the storefronts surrounding the square, claiming to sell "discount" tickets, are brokers selling tickets at a considerable mark up. The official tkts Booth is open Monday through Saturday from 10am to 7pm and Sunday from noon to 3ish. Cash is accepted; American Express and Visa are welcome; Mastercard is not. The "booking fee" i.e. service charge, is about $5.

Another good source of tickets is Ticketmaster. The shows they sell are listed by age suitability. Old-fashioned parents might want to add a year or two to their recommendations. Here's the direct link: www.ticketmaster.co.uk/feature/kids_week/shows_list.html

For a great place to stay with the family, check out The Montague Hotel in Bloomsbury, an elegant, sophisticated and kid-friendly place. So much so that it often offers kid-oriented packages such as "Children on Stage," a two-night stay at the end of July. Included are tickets to Les Miserables, games, a tour of the hotel's kitchen, menus even the fussiest eaters will accept, even child-sized robes and slippers. Cute. For reservations, call 011- 44 (0)20 7637 1001, email bookmt@rchmail.com.

For all things British -- not just theatre -- check out Visit Britain . For London, the website to go to is Visit London.

by Susan Davidson