Reviewed by The Magic Hatter
I last saw Tutti Frutti’s Underneath a Magical Moon, which I dubbed one of the best pieces of children’s theatre I’d ever seen, so I had high hopes for their new production The Boy Who Cried Wolf, written by Mike Kenny. Thankfully, the show doesn’t disappoint and features the same level of theatrical magic, innovative storytelling and a talented, versatile cast of actor-musicians…
All three performers transition seamlessly between storytellers, family members and sheep, and interact with the audience even before the show has started.
Spinning a Yarn
Many will be familiar with the classic Aesop’s fable. The story sees a young shepherd, Silas, try to pull the wool over the villager’s eyes by crying wolf with no beast in sight. The community of knitters gather for the Best Woolly Jumper competition, but young Silas is frustrated to be stuck up in the mountains tending the sheep. His eccentric grandad is too old (and too cold, but his tale is not yet told) to continue, and so passes the baton – or crook – to his reluctant grandson.
Knitting and wool are woven throughout the whole performance, but to say much more here would spool – sorry, spoil – some wonderful surprises. Needles – sorry, needless – to say the story is so well told that even younger audience members won’t lose their thread.
Howling with Laughter
Plenty of humour keeps the pace of this one-hour show brisk, and gets giggles from even a slightly weary end-of-school-week crowd. Featuring silly sheep that floss, fist bump and high-five…’ewe’ would be hard-pushed to find a more street flock!
There are darker moments too, with the advancing wolf pack causing a few concerned little looks, but it’s fairly tame compared to panto villains and kid-show baddies! Thankfully, the wolves are only implied and never seen – despite some children shouting at they did see one…crying wolf perhaps?!
Our two boys, 6 and 3, were thrilled at all the silliness and enchanted by the wonderfully told tale. Of course the message is important too, and ‘nobody believes a liar, even when they tell the truth’ is reiterated throughout, but it never feels overly preachy or forced.
My eldest Hatter said he loved ‘the jokes and dancing and snow and everything!’ and my youngest was captivated and has been telling everyone about the silly grandad! An hour is an ideal length for little lambs too, just remember to get your ice-cream and snacks beforehand as there is no interval.
MAGIC RATING 
VALUE FOR MONEY
OVERALL
The Boy Who Cried Wolf Runs until October 12th in the Studio Theatre. So don’t be sheepish, clickety-click on the Theatre Royal website or flock to the Box Office in person to book. And from only £10 per ticket, you won’t feel fleeced (and that’s snow joke!)
Review Wizard 