The Lyceum, Sheffield – runs until 21st February 2026
Reviewed by Sophie Dodworth
5*****
The most popular Tiger Who Came forTea has snook back into the Lyceum for yet another fantastic run of entertaining Sheffield’s (and further afield) little ones, and maybe some adults, according to the energy and reactions that were around in the auditorium. At just fifty-five minutes, it is a perfect length to keep your little people sat firmly on their seats without too many losing interest.
The book, first published in 1968, written by Judith Kerr was, and still is very much loved and remembered by all that spend time with this wonderfully innocent and endearing tale. A firm favourite that really has stood the test of time and is read on repeat at bedtimes everywhere!
You are invited into the home of Sophie and her Mummy and Daddy on a very typical day in their lives. Daddy goes to work as he always does, while Mummy and Sophie have a day in the house. The milkman arrives for his visit with all his stock of cupboard fillers and then the knock on the door brings in a new guest that has never been before…the Tiger. The Tiger is hungry and in all their kindness, Sophie and Mummy let the Tiger eat all their food and drink all their water! What will they do when Daddy comes home and there is nothing in for dinner? You will have to attend on the tour to find out…
The cast this time round are outstanding and all are able to draw you in to their character with their charisma and well-honed acting skills. Aaron Andrews plays the roles of Daddy/Milkman and The Tiger so perfectly well. He adds real fun to the role of the Milkman, with rounds of laughter from the audience at his well-timed comedic moments. Sophie is played by Eleanor Meredith, and she does a cracking job, it can’t be an easy feat to play an infant when you’re an adult, but she does it so believably. Mummy is played by Jenanne Redman and a steely job here too, absolutely committed to staying in character and professional throughout. A solid trio all round.
There’s probably as much audience participation in this show as there is in in your typical pantomime, which just goes down such a treat. Songs aplenty with reems of repetition and assistance by the cast to help the crowd learn and join in, making it such fun.
Well worth a trip to see this if you can catch it at Sheffield or on the rest of the tour. A fantastic hour of classic fun, talent and warm-hearted moments.