Anansi the Spider at Regent’s Park Open Air Theatre Review
Photo by Tyler Fayose
Many children grow up hearing folk tales of brave and wily animals who change the world around them. One of the most famous of all is Anansi the Spider, a mischievous trickster from West African and Caribbean bedtime stories that all elders tell their children to be careful and clever in life. The story of Anansi is always best told in oral form, and the Unicorn Theatre and Regents Open Air Theatre have created a fantastic family spin on the arachnid trickster.
Writer Justin Audibert and Director Robin Belfield have created a wholesome adaptation of three of the most well-known and popular Anansi stories. We meet three narrators at the start of the production, each taking a turn as Anansi and starring in their own tale of the web-spinning trickster. Each narrator (Cynthia Emeagi, Elizabeth Peace and Becky Sanneh) has an equal chance to shine and portrays multiple characters. They have wonderful chemistry together and work well as an ensemble. There is no need to fear arachnophobia for this show, as in traditional costuming (designed by Sadeysa Greenaway-Bailey and Delyth Evans), the character is shown purely as a shape-shifting and cunning deity rather than in his common spider form. Of the three stories, these include Anansi and the wisdom pot, brother Anansi and brother Snake, and Anansi and the squeezed waist. The stories are told in a simple yet enjoyable form, and the children in the audience were completely captivated by the multiple characters on stage.
Traditional West African musical instruments are used to support and dramatise the story. After each story is told by the narrator, we see the story quite literally shift over silk representing water to create a new version in the new land. In this, we see the story travel from West Africa to the Caribbean to finally London. This is an excellent and layered detail which reflects on the evolution of the stories and characters over time in history and its enduring relevance to modern times. Duramaney Kamara also created a fantastic jingle which all the children and many adults were singing as they left the theatre. The set of a decorated tree and a few props work well to immerse the children in the story without overwhelming or overstimulating them. It is also a fantastic way to connect how these stories have been told and retold by communities since time immemorial. The themes of using wit over brute strength, working hard and being honest, resisting the urge to be greedy or steal and the importance of being kind to others are told skilfully and with great enthusiasm.
This is a perfect show to begin to introduce your child to theatre with. Its measured pace and short running time of 50 minutes work well to keep young children’s minds entertained. Each story is roughly 14 minutes long, so it works well for children to enjoy without being overwhelmed. This production would suit children from ages 3 to 7 best, although as an adult they are also highly enjoyable and entertaining. The relaxed seating on the surprisingly green lawn works well to help children enjoy from different angles or move about on your picnic rug if needed. I would recommend coming slightly early in order to get the best seating for the show, but it is relaxed enough that any angle works well for enjoying these stories.
This is a truly fantastic adaptation of the classic Anansi tales that reflects both the different roots of these stories as well as the heartfelt messages about greed, trickery and hopefully a desire to not make Anansi’s mistakes. If you enjoy fabulous acting, engaging stories and a lovely theatre experience to introduce to your children, then this is the perfect show for you.
Anansi the Spider is running until 6th September at Regents Open Air Park Theatre.
★★★★
Written by Cathie for Theatre and Tonic, August 2026.
