Charming.
A sweet, homespun 60 minutes for tinies and adults alike tells the tale of the Little Red Hen’s quest to plant seeds in the hope of a loaf.
Her farmyard friends—the football-loving pig, languid cow and lazy rat—are far too selfish to help her sow, water, reap and grind the wheat but rather too keen to help eat the final product.
Maria Gray is the erstwhile, endearing chicken and Gareth Price-Baghurst everything else—puppeteer, helper and musician.
With guitar and xylophone, song, comedy and whirling contraptions, what is not to like?
Tomasin Cuthbert has created an oh, so simple but colourful set with an old gramophone and a large cabinet with cupboards that represent the animal stabling, flaps opening to an oven and a roof on which wheat grows tall.
Artistic director Niki McCretton has a winner here, and my not-quite-three-year-old companion was transfixed and keen to join in when the audience was encouraged to help.
Quite delightful.