We’re Going on a Bear Hunt is a cheerful, entertaining, romp of a family show. Ten years after its first performance, it’s back in the West End at the Lyric Theatre on Shaftesbury Avenue. Director Sally Cookson has created a super theatrical experience for young theatregoers. She skilfully recreates the much-loved world of Michael Rosen and Helen Oxenbury. Their … [Read more...]
Exhibition: ‘The Rose At 10: Celebrating 10 Years of World Class Theatre’
To celebrate the tenth anniversary of the Rose Theatre opening in Kingston, the theatre has curated an anniversary exhibition. The theatre has gathered together an impressive display of costumes, model boxes and other memorabilia from the theatre’s impressive first ten years. The exhibition is spread over three floors from the ground Circle Bar to the Upper Circle … [Read more...]
Lady Windermere’s Fan at the Vaudeville Theatre – Review
Lady Windermere’s Fan is the second show of Dominic Dromgoole’s Oscar Wilde season at the Vaudeville Theatre. Dromgoole, the former artistic director of The Globe, has set up Classic Spring - a theatre company which produces “proscenium playwrights” in the architectural surroundings for which they wrote. The Vaudeville on the Strand opened in 1870 and in the show’s … [Read more...]
Review of The Very Hungry Caterpillar at the Ambassadors Theatre
The Very Hungry Caterpillar Show has arrived at The Ambassadors Theatre for a limited 5-week run. This colourful, charming and gentle 60-minute show is perfect for children under five. Despite the title, the show is actually an adaptation of four of Eric Carle’s classic books for children: The Artist who Painted a Blue Horse, Mister Seahorse, The Very Lonely … [Read more...]
Review of Sponge by Turned On Its Head at Battersea Arts Centre
Sponge by the East Midlands dance company Turned on its Head is currently playing at the Battersea Arts Centre. It’s an imaginative and playful dance show perfectly devised for young children. Led by two dancers Shane Shambu and Louise Gibbons, Sponge is a highly visual show with no dialogue and an upbeat 1970s dance soundtrack. The show’s creators recommend Sponge … [Read more...]
The Gruffalo’s Child Live on Stage – Review – Lyric Theatre London
The children’s picture book The Gruffalo’s Child by Julia Donaldson and Axel Scheffler has been adapted for the stage by Tall Stories, the brilliant children’s theatre company founded twenty years ago by Olivia Jacobs and Toby Mitchell. This highly polished musical adaptation is running in the West End over the Christmas period and is guaranteed to be a massive … [Read more...]
Review of My Brother, My Sister and Me at the Polka Theatre Wimbledon
Sarah Argent’s My Brother, My Sister and Me at the Polka Theatre in Wimbledon should be compulsory viewing for all theatre-makers who create theatre for young people. It is a beautifully observed two-hander about the relationship between young siblings. It is well acted, with exquisite lighting and an impressive set. It is clear that lots of research and work has gone … [Read more...]
Review of Stick Man at Leicester Square Theatre
Stick Man has opened at the Leicester Square Theatre playing over the Christmas season until 7th January. Based on the 2008 children’s book by Julia Donaldson and Axel Scheffler, this 55-minute play features a cast of three – the Stick Man, the musician, and the one who plays all the other characters. The three young performers are Lara Cowin, Sam Heron and Alex Tosh. … [Read more...]
Review of The Night Pirates at The Rose Theatre Kingston
As I settled into my seat for the performance of The Night Pirates at the Rose Theatre in Kingston, the woman next to me gave me a nudge and, indicating my daughter, asked whether it was her first trip to the theatre. That it was, in fact, my 11 month-old daughter’s fifth trip to the theatre indicates the sheer breadth of shows currently on offer for the under fives. … [Read more...]