Tania Deaville

Packed with eager pre-schoolers, this touring show based on the popular children’s TV series and picture books was a great introduction to theatre for the very young.

A seemingly unstoppable cast of three, plus one dexterous live musician, charge their way through a wide selection of classic stories, including Cinderella, Jack and the Beanstalk, Peter Pan, Hansel and Gretel, Pinocchio, The Little Mermaid and Aladdin in this riotous show.

Opening with a traditional song The Bad Girl’s Lament, Martin Simpson lived up to his reputation as a most accomplished acoustic guitarist, as he enthralled the audience with his finger-style and slide-guitar playing and distinctive Celtic tones.

★★★

★★★★

“Style should always find you, don’t go and look for it,” advised the Children’s Laureate Chris Riddell.

Just three performers combined four tales from Julia Donaldson and Axel Scheffler’s excellent children’s books including Tiddler, Monkey Puzzle, The Smartest Giant In Town and A Squash And A Squeeze.

Adapted from the classic Brothers’ Grimm fairy-tale, this Lantern Light production achieved its stated aim to create “all the magic of the original story, but with a refreshing new sensibility”.

If ever there was a show that gave the impression the cast of four was a cast of 20, this is it.

From graceful courting swans, colourful dancing bears, swimming sea creatures to The Three Little Pigs, it was incredible to watch as skilfully formed images rolled like a film show.