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.

This Scamp Theatre production was kept simple and minimalist, which dealt with the logistics of combining four stories with different scenes - the sea, a farm, a jungle and a town – in to one hour-long show. 

However, the brevity of each story and the simplicity of props meant that some of the impact was lost compared to some of Scamp Theatre’s stand-alone stories such as the Scarecrows’ Wedding.

A highlight was Joseph Carey’s performance of the giant, who returns to his “same old patched-up gown”. Carey comically sung and played instruments on top of a ladder and boxes, creating the illusion of enormity.

Another highlight occurred during Tiddler when the trio recreated the ocean depths with shadow and torchlight and produced a menacing looking shark which swam along, thrilling the young audience.

The stories flowed imaginatively in to each other and Monkey Puzzle was cleverly woven in and out of the other stories creating some suspense.

The performances also deviated just enough from the texts to inject some additional humour, music and dance which energised the stage show.