What The Ladybird Heard – Theatre Review
Do you remember the first time you took your child to the theatre?
Maybe it was to see their first pantomime? Did their little faces light up at seeing the special effects, the noise, the dancing and singing?
Maybe you’re yet to take your little one to the theatre?
I’d highly recommend it!
Our twins are two and a half years old. I really wanted to take them to see a pantomime this year, but after speaking with my local theatre, New Theatre, they suggested I try taking my girls to see ‘What the ladybird heard’ instead.
I hadn’t actually realised that pantomime is two and a half hours long, so in hindsight maybe not the best thing in the world to expect two, two year olds to sit through. The recommended age for pantomime is three. This is because of the length of the show and also because some of the effects and loud noises may scare younger children.
What the ladybird heard is an hour long meaning it’s the perfect introduction for toddlers to theatre. I hadn’t actually heard of this show before nor had I realised that it was actually a children’s book! It’s now safe to say that it’s on my twins Christmas wish list!
The book is written by Julia Donaldson. A name many may recognise as she is also the author of The Gruffalo and Room on the broom.
What the ladybird heard is about two crafty robbers, one tiny ladybird, and a whole farmyard of fun!
The show starts by introducing some of the cast members, but we soon realise that one of the cast members, Dave, is missing. Oh no! What are they going to do?
They ask the audience is someone is willing to take his place and lo and behold they chose a ‘theatre worker’ to help.
He’ll play the role of Lanky Len.
Lanky Len along with Hefty Hugh have a cunning plan to steal the farmer’s fine prize cow. But they all reckon with the tiniest, quietest creature of all: The ladybird, who has a plan of her own!
As the show progresses we realise that ‘Dave’ had the farm animals with him meaning the remaining cast members have to make the farm animals themselves.
As the children watch and awe at the cast members using various bits from around the stage to create the animals. We meet the woolly sheep, the hairy hog, the fat red hen and the dainty dog!
Our girls loved watched the two cats purr and meow as they sat perched on top of door to a building.
On the other side is the farmers prize winning cow, who moo’s and delights the children with her adorably cute
face!
There was lots of audience participation as the children were asked questions and toward the end we all stood up to dance to the music and learn the actions of the song.
With live music, puppetry and lots of laughs it’s safe to say that R and M’s first theatre experience was a hit! In fact R cried when the show ended as she wanted to watch it again!
I’d highly recommend this show to families with young children as a great introduction to theatre. At an hours length it’s just the right amount of time to keep children’s attention.
For the purpose of this review we were sent four tickets to see What the Ladybird Heard at the New Theatre, Cardiff.
14 Comments
BakedPotatoMummy
October 1, 2014 at 7:44 am
We absolutely adored the show too. Potato saw utterly spellbound. We have the DVD of the show too now and he loves dancing to the music. I'm glad you all enjoyed as much as we did xx
Emily
October 8, 2014 at 10:20 pm
I'd never heard it before we saw the show, but the book is now on our Christmas wishlist! It was a great show. Might have to get the DVD too! xx
Kate Fever
October 7, 2014 at 9:29 am
Oh, this sounds perfect – we are big Julia Donaldson fans and would love to see this! Thanks for linking up with #TriedTested
Emily
October 8, 2014 at 10:21 pm
It was great! Our girls loved the theatre and the show! We're going again to see The Octonauts in November and can't wait! xx
Mary @over40andamumtoone
October 7, 2014 at 10:28 am
We went to this as an NCT group outing with our 4 year olds in the holidays – everyone loved it. Very clever production I thought #TriedTested
Emily
October 8, 2014 at 10:22 pm
It was clever and great fun! All the kids were singing along! x
The Reading Residence
October 7, 2014 at 12:02 pm
We love this book, so maybe this would be the perfect first theatre trip. And yes, an hour sounds a good length for kids to sit and enjoy. #triedtested
Emily
October 8, 2014 at 10:24 pm
It transfers well to the stage. It's great fun x
Kim Carberry
October 7, 2014 at 7:27 pm
It sounds like you had a great time!!
Emily
October 8, 2014 at 10:24 pm
Oh we did Kim! Would highly recommend x
Jen @mymummyspennies
October 7, 2014 at 10:29 pm
We went to see this in Manchester last month and both the children and adults loved it! I thought the audience participation was great for keeping the little ones engaged and the songs were really catchy!
Emily
October 8, 2014 at 10:25 pm
It was really engaging for kids and adults! I was singing and dancing along too! x
Colette B
October 8, 2014 at 10:30 am
We LOVE the story of What The Ladybird Heard – I'm gutted that we missed the theatre show.
Thanks for linking up with #TriedTested this week x
Emily
October 8, 2014 at 10:25 pm
It was a great show. I'll be sure to buy the book and dvd xx