Guest Blog: Judith Eagle
Author of The Great Theatre Rescue
Top Books to Read in London Theatre Week
As everyone in theatre knows, ‘the show must go on.’ It’s something that in The Great Theatre Rescue, tap dancer Charley, her dog Max, and her dad Toby take very seriously.
But when Toby is called away on urgent business, and Charley is packed off to a dreadful boarding school, their theatre, The Wren, quickly runs into trouble. Can Charley make the journey home, thwart the shadowy figure intent on destroying both her family and The Wren, and win the theatre back?
The best theatrical tales are never just about the magic and brilliance of performance. Backstage, behind the razzle-dazzle and the excitement, there are so many stories waiting to be told.
To mark London Theatre Week, here are my top eight brilliant theatrical reads:
Ballet Shoes by Noel Streatfeild
This theatrical classic, published nearly 90 years ago, tells the story of the three Fossil sisters, Paulina, Petrova and Posy. Each sister has their own talent – Pauline dreams of acting, Posy of dancing, and Petrova, anything to do with cars, planes and engines.
When the sisters win places at Madame Fidelia’s Academy of Dancing and Stage Training, you’d think everything would be plain sailing. But no. All sorts of pitfalls await them.
This is a wonderful book that is still inspiring authors and budding performers everywhere.
The Diamond of Drury Lane by Julia Golding
This rollicking story is set in Georgian London, and follows the daring adventures of orphan and actress Cat Royal.
Cat has lived in the Sparrows Nest above the costume department on the top floor of The Theatre Royal since she was a baby. But when she is entrusted with a secret treasure, her life suddenly takes a very dangerous and thrilling turn. Can she survive the rogues and the villains?
A truly exciting, unputdownable read!
A Drop of Golden Sun by Kate Saunders
It’s 1973, and Jenny has been chosen from hundreds of hopefuls to jet off to the South of France and star in a major Hollywood movie.
Here she meets the cast and crew, including fellow child actors Belinda and John. But life on set turns out to be far from straightforward. The cast members are harbouring more than a few secrets. And as the cameras roll, tangled lives and mysterious pasts begin to unspool.
A deliciously heart-warming story that is happy and sad and very rewarding.
Thursday’s Child by Noel Streatfeild
Thursday’s Child is one of my all-time favourite books because it contains some of my favourite story ingredients: a cracking plot, an immensely brave and plucky orphan, a dreadful orphanage and an even more dreadful villain, in the form of Matron.
There is a brilliant scene when the heroine, Margaret Thursday stumbles across the Fortescue travelling theatre company. She is quickly given a starring role in their latest production – as Little Lord Fauntleroy – and discovers, almost by accident, that she is a natural actress. Or as Mr Fortescue says, ‘born to the theatre. Talent in her little finger.’
Into the Spotlight by Carrie Hope Fisher
I love reading books that connect to other books: prequels, sequels, spin-offs etc; In this book, the Pebble children, Mabel, Morris and Marigold have lived their whole lives in the Pebble Theatre. But times are hard, and the theatre is threatened with closure, and so the three decide they will do whatever it takes to save it.
When they discover a secret from the past that is connected to the Fossil sisters (the very same sisters that featured in Ballet Shoes) they are inspired to rescue their theatre in a very special way.
You, the reader, are in good hands: the author, Carrie Hope Fletcher is an actress who has starred in several West End shows!
The Swish of the Curtain by Pamela Brown
Amazingly, Pamela Brown started writing this book when she was only fourteen years old, and it was published by the time she was sixteen! She used her earnings to train at drama school, and eventually became an actress.
In the story, a group of children decide to turn a dilapidated old building into a theatre and put on a show. They write all their own scripts, compose their own songs, arrange the choreography and design the costumes.
Dame Maggie Smith said ‘I wanted to act before I read this book, and afterwards there was no stopping me.’
The Secret Hen House Theatre by Helen Peters
I love family stories, and this is a real cracker. Hannah lives on a rundown farm with her dad and three siblings.
When the farm is threatened with closure, Hannah, who loves drama and writing, decides it is time to act. With the help of her best friend Lottie, and her brother and sisters, The Secret Hen House Theatre is born. Can Hannah’s dreams bring the farm back from the brink of disaster?
A really lovely read which brings both the countryside and the thrill of performing alive.
No Ballet Shoes in Syria by Catherine Bruton
Aya used to dance in Aleppo. But the war in Syria has forced her, her mum and baby brother Moosa to seek asylum in Britain. Separated from her father on the journey here, the family have a fight on their hands to be allowed to stay in the country and make it their new home.
But then Aya’s talent is spotted, and she gets the chance to dance, and the opportunity to audition for ballet school. Can Aya’s dreams help her make peace with the past, and at the same time secure her family’s future?
I absolutely adored this book, which is full of friendship, hope and heart.
Thank you to Judith for visiting our blog this week to tell us more about her children’s book recommendations for London Theatre Week. Judith’s new book The Great Theatre Rescue is available to purchase from Amazon or Bookshop and is also available as an audiobook.
Our review panel said “This gloriously detailed historical novel, set at the beginning of the 20th Century, draws an image of a buzzy, busy London theatre district, pulling together historical details with a fast-paced and exciting plot..” Read the full review here.
The book features on our recommended list of children’s books about stage and theatre as well as our list of Spring 2025 Ones to Watch
Readers might also enjoy the following booklists:
- Children’s Books About Being on Stage
- Children’s Books About Music
- Children’s Books About Ballet and Dance
- Children’s Books About Arts, Sports and Interests
Check out our reading for pleasure and curriculum booklists to find more books for children in KS2.
Where next?
> Visit our Reading for Pleasure Hub
> Browse our Topic Booklists
> View our printable year group booklists.
> See our Books of the Month.