A new family show has rolled into town as part of London Transport Museum’s ‘Transported by Culture’ initiative. Playing at the museum’s on-site Cubic Theatre during school holidays, Transport Explorers: A Live Show offers a new way for families to explore London’s transport network. Aimed at ages 7-11, it’s the perfect add-on to a day at the museum.
We join trainee engineers, Jesse (Hattie Manton) and Kai (James Georgiou) on a journey of discovery that will help them earn their Planner, Fixer and Dreamer badges. First up is a trip through time as we delve into the history of London transport, followed by a lesson in problem-solving, and finally an expedition into our imaginations to envisage the future of transport. Written by Rachel Barnett-Jones, with direction by Nicola Shepherd, it’s an engaging, high-octane production featuring lots of enjoyable audience participation.
It’s one of those shows that is overtly educational but successfully manages to make learning fun – for all ages, even the adults! Even though it’s advertised as being suitable for ages 7-11, it captivated the younger children in the audience and also worked just as well for Crotchet (13), who normally rolls her eyes at children’s theatre these days (although admittedly, she is a bit of a bus fanatic). It also got the seal of approval from Quaver (11).
The show is inspired by the collections in the museum, so it was fun to spot some of the things that we had seen when walking around beforehand. We also learned an awful lot more here than we did in the museum – the munchkins have a serious aversion to reading the signs next to the exhibits on the basis that words are more boring than buses. But even the moodiest of t(w)eens find it quite hard not to be excited by explosive experiments!
Running at around 60 minutes (that’s the same as a London Pay as You Go Hopper bus fare), it’s a well-paced production that remains engaging from start to finish (and, unlike on a London bus, you’re guaranteed to get a seat). With three performances a day, there are also plenty of opportunities to fit in a trip to the museum before or after the show (or both!)
Overall, Transport Explorers: A Live Show is an entertaining and inspiring production that adds a new dimension to the experience of visiting London Transport Museum. Just the ticket for curious young Londoners looking for something to do in the school holidays.
Transport Explorers: A Live Show opened at London Transport Museum in May half-term 2025 and will play select dates across school holidays. We received complimentary press tickets to the 3pm performance on Thursday 29 May 2025.