Fancy your Festive Family theatre with a sneaky side of Science? Maddie Moate, beloved Cbeebies star with an infectious enthusiasm for knowledge offers a refreshing twist to the Christmas bill at London’ Apollo theatre.
It’s got all the hallmarks of frivolous yuletide fodder. Elves with pointy ears, cheesy jokes, twinkling fairy lights. But Maddie Moate’s new production is also an hour long science lesson. What makes crackers bang? How does one faulty light plunge the whole house into darkness? And everyones burning question – why do Brussels sprouts make you fart?
Bafta-winning Children’s TV presenter and youtuber Maddie Moate and her Cbeebies series “Do you know?’ has been a long time favourite over the years in our home. She is the epitome of wholesome, squeaky clean loveliness but with my boys now that little bit older (6,7 and 9) I wondered if she could still make science seem cool. Cool? ..Maybe. Fun? Undeniably!
In this brand-new live show Maddie invites us (her ‘tour group’) into Santa’s workshop where she is doing work experience alongside elf and safety elf Goggles (Zain Abrahams) and Tinker (Kira MacCarter). But there is trouble in wonderland as the elves are encountering problems – silent crackers, a flatulent chef, short circuiting decorations. Cue pragmatic Maddie who offers evidence based solutions, where the magic fails to deliver, all in time for Mrs Claus’s Christmas Party.
There is singing and dancing with an opening number which sees the whole theatre reciting ‘Science Science, making sense with evidence‘ alongside intricate dissections filmed with a moveable camera and streamed to a large screen. This juxtaposition of silly and serious works a treat at pulling in the target audience of 4-10 years. The show leans into call and response to extract knowledge from its young audience to great effect. I was particularly impressed with one eager little boy behind me bellowing an explanation of water cycles.
There is even a pre-show quiz packed with festive facts which does well to quell the excited impatience whilst everyone takes their seats. And if the science wasn’t already engaging enough there are some real surprises in store – particularly if you are seated in the Stalls where you can expect an assault of interactive fun – giant cracker streamers, gingerbread fart fog and an immersive game of keepie uppie with giant snowballs bouncing around the audience.
My nine yr olds Verdict: “It was good mummy but I knew it all already”
This is the perfect show for know-it-all nine year olds and pretty much anyone who loves feastive cheer and feel good family theatre. An unforgettable holiday treat for the whole family.
Maddie Moate's Very Curious Christmas is at London's Apollo, Shaftesbury Avenue until 4th January 2025.
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