The Lowry Theatre, Manchester – until 7 January 2018. Reviewed by Alison Fearon
5*****
The production is an adaption of the best-selling book by Julia Donaldson and Axel Scheffler by theatre company Tall Stories.
As soon as we entered the theatre the friendly staff were offering booster seats for the children to sit on and showing us to our seats and my daughter was already mesmerised – asking ‘where is the Mouse’, by having the curtains up and the staging on view the excitement was already building.
From the moment the characters appear on stage there is not only the telling of the story but also a mixture of singing, dancing and comedy (some of which was aimed at the children and some for the adults to have a good giggle too).
As the mouse starts his journey walks through the deep dark wood, he meets all the characters within the book, the Owl, Snake and the Fox. All the animals have amazing characteristics which make it believable and come to life for the children. The adaptation of the snake, through movement, singing and humour is one not to be missed; it had both adults and children laughing in their seats
As soon as the Guffalo bursts onto the stage there is an added enthusiasm brought to the production – I didn’t even think after the Snake my daughter could get any more excited. With the twists and turns of the tale unfolding and costume changes the story was well and truly brought to life.
This is a show not to be missed and one I think I could watch again and again, its amazing how a production can keep so many young children engaged and mesmerised for nearly an hour.