★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Reviewer - Emmie

*Disclaimer: Gifted tickets in return for an honest review

The joyful hum of Hey Duggee’s theme tune has been played in the living rooms of families across the country since 2014, so it’s no surprise that thousands love it. So what could we expect from a show which is adored by many when it’s presented on the stage?

Co-adapted by directors Matthew Xia and Vikki Stone, the result of their work is a show that will delight audiences on all levels - and even obtaining their very own Olivier Award badge recently too! It was a delightful and fun show that was filled with bright colours and a great representation for many as their first “musical theatre” show. For my niece of 21 months who has sensory needs, it was something which she could access and enjoy!

She noticed the characters almost immediately - although unsure at first, she was able to sit for a large percentage of the performance. She wasn’t distracted by the loud music but I would recommend that if your child has problems processing loud noises, they bring a pair of ear defenders along just in case. Notably, there wasn’t loud music throughout the show and there are accessible performances available throughout the tour if that’s what you require. My niece really enjoyed the use of lights particularly the most!

Everything in this production is as it should be and care has been taken to present a production which does not let their young fans down. The Squirrels are knee-high hand-held puppets and collectively it’s as if these characters have jumped immediately from the TV screen to the stage.

READ: Interview with Matthew Xia & Vikki Stone, Hey Duggee The Live Theatre Show

Audiences loved Sarah Palmer, Charlie Daniells, Clarke Joseph- Edwards, Kaidyn Niall Hinds and Jane Crawshaw who took beloved characters and carefully crafted them in their own individual way. Of course, there’s also Duggee - a grown-up-sized puppet who was brought to life by the charming Benedict Hastings. Not only does he move as Duggee but also narrates the entire Hey Duggee show as well.

Bringing this cast together is Lunga Anele-Skosana who plays a collective of other characters, including Mrs Weaver. Her energy is infectious.

What the directors have managed to do with this production is brilliant. They bring together many episodes of the hit TV programme and condense it into an hour-long show. Children are provided with stickers at the door so they can join the squirrels on the journey to receive their different badges in the show. If that’s not enough then slipped in there were some brilliant musical theatre references which is a great nod to the spaces that they are performing in.

Hey Duggee Live is very appreciative that for a lot of audiences who will see this show, it’s probably their first experience of live theatre itself. They have ensured that theatre can be enjoyable for young children and can be an inspirational experience. It's the seeds we sow at this age that can be hugely beneficial in the future!

All Hey Duggee Live tickets can be found here.

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