Over the past 15 years, Tracy Beaker has made new friends in homes all over the country as the star of Jacqueline Wilson's bestselling stories and TV show - and now she has a new home on stage.
Played by a cast of grown-ups and bursting with energy and songs, Tracy Beaker is terrific fun for children and their parents but with a dark edge to keep things interesting.
Tracy (Pippa Duffy) has to learn how to work within society's rules, but no one around her knows how to fit in either.
Her only release is to escape into a fantasy world, which is brought to life with a host of witty songs by Morris and Grant Olding.
Much of the appeal of the Tracy Beaker stories is Wilson's refusal to sugar-coat Tracy's situation, so while the music provides much of the humour, the drama doesn't pull any punches. Watching her suffer rejection at the hands of her natural and various adoptive parents is moving.
The sombre ending is expertly played, with a fun musical number to leave the children on a high. The show had them squealing with delight, cheering and singing along.
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