There’s a welcome new trend in the West End at the moment, daytime kid’s shows!My favourite is HETTY FEATHERS, a stage adaptation of Jacqueline Wilson’s book about a feisty Victorian urchin, in search of the mother who left her at London’s Foundling Hospital. Her adventures encompass battles with foster families, tyrannical matrons and a spell in a travelling circus.
It’s all superbly conjured up by a cast of six clever actors with a few props and a steam punk climbing frame which, thanks to the actor’s skill represents everything from an oak tree to a circus ring.
The performers themselves transform into dozens of colourful characters simply by switching a hat, picking up a prop or with a change of stance. The amazing thing is this is never confusing and it’s always immediately obvious who or what they’re intended to be at any one time. There’s even a fantastic moment when two paper fans and an air conditioning tube are brought together to form a very believable performing elephant!
It’s worth picking out Mark Kane, who’s range of characters, encompassing heroes and villains of either sex, are always spot on. Phoebe Thomas is perfect as Hetty. Her pluck, humour, vulnerability and cheek make her irresistible to both little girls and boys. They’ll not only be entertained but will also learn about Victorian London, that most intoxicating setting for adventure stories like Oliver Twist and Sherlock Holmes. As in the works of Charles Dickens there are moments in HETTY FEATHERS that’ll make you sad and moments that’ll have you grinning from ear to ear.
The show was nominated for an Olivier Award last year and you can see why. Its exciting, action packed story has a young audience gripped for two hours. And of course it ends pleasingly as Hetty’s story proves “You can be whoever you want to be”
And if all that’s not to your little ‘un’s taste the West End also offers daytime performances of favourites THE THREE LITTLE PIGS, THE GRUFFALO and HORRIBLE HISTORIES. It’s a great time for children’s theatre.
It has been over a hundred years since the famous magician Henry Houdini performed one of his great escape acts in front of over 4000 people at London’s Hippodrome. This summer the production of Impossible at the Noel Coward Theatre brings back magic to the capital with its attempt to give It a fresh and a contemporary twist.