Get prepared to be swept into a frenzy with this musical feast by Tall stories Theatre Company. Room on the Broom is a firm favourite in our house and I was excited to see how this much-loved picture book could be adapted for the stage. Tall stories did not disappoint. Julia Donaldson’s songful prose provides the familiar thread upon which the story is woven with layers of song, dance, poetry and puppetry.
Iggety Ziggety Zaggety Zoom!
The lovably incompetent witch (Jessica Manu) with her failing spells and dubious flying skills remains central to the plot as disaster strikes not once but three times as her carelessness leads her to make new friends. But in a deviation from the much-loved book and through a series of musical soliloquies we are invited into the back stories of the broom crashers.
We meet the friendly dog who has dreamt of space travel, the frantic frog averting the advances of his princess stalker and the bird who has lost his flock and wants to beat them to the beach cafe. Not forgetting the surly Cat who just wants her witch to herself. All this is relayed with catchy songs, masterful puppetry and just enough wordy wit and humour to satisfy the adults and delight the littles.
Family audiences will also delight in sing-a-long songs and the (not so) terrifying hungry dragon (Jake Waring) who traverses the audience for his next meal ‘and chips’! My boys were particularly enamoured with the dog (Peter Steele) “he couldn’t say whoosh only woof!”(Cameron, aged 5).
Tall stories are reknowned for their skilful adaptations of Julia Donaldson’s books with fun-filled productions aimed at family audiences. For another ideal summer family treat head over to the Rose Theatre, Kingston for Tall stories’ version of ‘The Gruffalo’.
Directed by Olivia Jacobs, Room on the Broom runs for one hour and is a high-energy show expertly targeted to hold young attention spans.
Recommended for ages 3+ Room on the Broom is showing at the Lyric Theatre, Shaftesbury Avenue until 4th September.
Booster seats are both available and recommended – The Lyric is a small theatre and this is likely to be a sell out show. Grab your witch’s hat and book here there is still plenty of room on the broom!
Check out more Julia Donaldson Shows here.
Cast: Jessica Manu, Hannah Miller, Peter Steele, Jake Waring
Choreography: Morag cross
Puppet design: Yvonne Stone
Lighting Design: James Whiteside
Music composed by Jon Fiber and Andy Shaw
