Transferring much-loved children’s books to the stage can be tricky.
Some are easier than others but bringing to life a story about a boy adrift at sea in a boat with a bear was always going to be a challenge.
But despite a basic set and a handful of props this delightful production by The Sparks Arts for Children pulls it off very well indeed.
A lot of that is due to the acting. With only two characters on stage – well a modest room in The Grand to be more precise – they had to be believable enough to suck you into the story.
And they did. Children have a habit of getting fidgety if their attention drifts for even a moment but they were all transfixed by this adventure on the high seas.
Ivan Stott was particularly good as the bear. Both funny and grouchy in equal measure he was almost part-man part-bear while Bradley Foster was a decent straight-man in the double act as the boy.
Together they overcame a slightly clunky attempt at copying the chapters in the book rather than just telling the story and an underwhelming soundtrack.
Those are minor moans from an otherwise very enjoyable show.
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