What’s it all about?
No doubt any of the tiny Tiger experts, whose parents were testing them on the storyline as they waited in anticipation for the matinee performance to begin, would be able to give you a more detailed synopsis of Judith Kerr’s much-loved tale. In less specialist terms, it’s the story of a tea-loving, cake-eating tiger whose insatiable appetite eats Sophie’s family out of house and home. He consumes everything they laid out for afternoon tea, the dinner cooking on the stove, the entire contents of their larder and fridge, and all the water in the taps.
How do they tell the story?
There are some wonderfully theatrical elements in David Wood’s acclaimed adaptation that give Kerr’s classic story something extra special. There are songs about yummy yummy sausages and scrummy scrummy chips that you and your children will be singing all the way home, as well as sprinklings of magic that make plates of food disappear before your eyes.
What did the kids like best?
Not shy to show off their mathematical ability, the little ones at this particular performance took great pleasure in joining Sophie and her mum in counting to the correct time on the kitchen clock. In some cases they even got a little over enthusiastic and started wishing the day away.
In a nutshell?
David Wood takes a picture book adored by multiple generations and creates a play that not only lives up to the original story but creates a magical theatrical experience that everyone will enjoy even more.
Will my little one like it?
The sign of a good children’s show is undoubtedly the look of complete mesmerisation on the faces of its young audience; the sign of an Olivier Award nominated children’s show that keeps coming back to the capital is getting the same response from the adults. You expect a few “wows” and “oooohs” from the little ones, but it isn’t often during a kids’ production that you hear so many questions and exclamations – “How do they do that?”, “That’s so clever!” – from the parents.
Trip tip
If you can wait until August to see this corker of a show, book your tickets through Kids Week, our annual promotion that offers a free child’s ticket with every full-price adult ticket purchased.
The Tiger Who Came To Tea is playing until 7 September. You can book tickets through us or, for selected performances throughout August, www.kidsweek.co.uk