Review: Room on the Broom at The Atkinson, Southport
Wonderful witches, dragons chasing through the audience, talking cats, great songs and superb puppetry – who wouldn’t love Room on the Broom by Tall Stories?
I’m not talking about the scores of kids in the audience last night – I’m talking about the grown-ups!
This was roaringly good fun for a packed audience at The Atkinson in Southport yesterday afternoon (Friday 11 November 2022) on the day’s second showing, with a third performance due today (Saturday).
It wouldn’t surprise me if there weren’t a few heading back for more.
It was great to come out of the performance to see recordings and books available.
Top quality children’s theatre like this is a wonderful way of firing up children’s imaginations, encouraging them to read and getting them talking about what they’ve seen.
It wasn’t necessarily good in my case. After asking my youngest daughter if there was any room for me to fly on a broom with her, she told me: “No, Dad – your bum’s too big to fit on”…
The play is based on the best-selling book by Julia Donaldson and Axel Scheffler.
It’s a brilliant book, which our two girls have read many times. This production really does it justice.
It allows the audience to jump on board the broom with the witch and her cat as they travel to pick up some hitch-hikers – a friendly dog, a beautiful green bird and a frantic frog.
But this broomstick’s not meant for five and – CRACK – it snaps in two… just as the hungry dragon appears!
This magical Olivier Award-nominated show is suitable for everyone aged 3 and up.
The adults were howling with laughter and singing along with the songs just as loud as the children.
All four performers were superb, carrying the show all the way through with energy, humour, warmth and skill.
There was great interaction all the way through, keeping the audience involved as the story unfolded.
My daughters, aged 6 and 11 years old, loved the hilarious puppets, the superb songs, and seeing one of their favourite stories come to life on stage.
It was a magical evening out at The Atkinson, which stages some superb children’s theatre and other attractions throughout the year.
There is lots to enjoy with their current Egypt Month for example, the Festive Fun Day on 19th November, the Aladdin and Snow White pantomimes and much more too.
Room on the Broom was a thoroughly enjoyable show, enjoyed by myself, my wife, and my two daughters – fantastic family fun.
- Room on the Broom by Tall Stories is at The Atkinson – Theatre on Lord Street in Southport, Friday 11 November 2022 (1:30pm & 4pm) – Saturday 12 November 2022 (2:30pm), Age 3+. Tickets are £14 / £10 groups of 10+. Plus booking fee £1 per ticket online/phone. For tickets please visit The Atkinson website: www.theatkinson.co.uk/events/room-on-the-broom/
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