The Great Big Dinosaur Show by Simon Mole & Gecko Review
Written by Roni for Theatre & Tonic
Disclaimer: Gifted tickets in exchange for an honest review
Something big is stomping its way around the UK, and if you have a dinosaur-obsessed person in your life, you may want to learn more. If your child can tell a Dilophosaurus from a Diplodocus, and a Brachiosaurus from a Baryonyx, then you may want to visit The Great Big Dinosaur Show as it comes roaring into town…
The Great Big Dinosaur Show consists of poet Simon Mole and his musician friend Gecko putting their best foot (or claw) forward to bring families and dinosaur lovers young and old a jam-packed show full of poetry and song about those prehistoric protagonists. Based on Mole’s previously published book, ‘A First Book of Dinosaurs’, the duo take us on a journey across the ages, stopping of at Triassic, Jurassic and Cretaceous along the way.
Both Mole and Gecko are delightful to observe at work, clearly comfortable engaging with large groups of small children. Their improvisational skills shine; they eagerly listen to their tiny audience, adapting various songs and scenes accordingly. Mole’s poems are simple and succinct, making them perfect for little ears, while Gecko’s tunes are catchy, encouraging the audience to sing and dance during participation moments. There are plenty of facts and guessing games that may teach even the grown-ups a thing or two. The show is understandably chaotic in parts, with Mole and Gecko fully embracing the interaction. However, there are times when it seems that more structure would be beneficial to keep children engaged, as some of the content gets lost in the inevitable noise. It feels a bit like an audience of 3+ may be too ambitious, and the show should be targeted more at primary school ages. Nonetheless, these performers know how to rein them back in, making excellent use of a limited space and props that would also suit a school environment.
Overall, this is a wonderful afternoon’s entertainment that will appeal to all ages if they’re at all interested in dinosaurs. Be prepared for fun, noise, and lots of cool dinosaur facts – and a very catchy song or two.
★★★★
