Kids show review: Once Upon A . . ., thespace @ Surgeons Hall

By ALISON POLLARD-MANSERGH
Published on 10/08/2012 15:11

IF you want to treat your children to something that is truly interactive, that uses all the elements of improvisation and encourages them to use their imaginations in a fantastically funny show, then Once Upon A . . . is the show for you.

This is one of the best examples of children’s interactive theatre I have ever seen and is engaging for not only the children, but the adults in the audience as well.

The show begins outside the performance space, where we are 
introduced to two of the characters by playing some games with them, a beach ball and our imaginations. Then a door the ball accidentally gets thrown through gets opened and we are welcomed to follow it – into 
Imagination Street.

As the story unfolds, we are drawn in and needed in it. Each time a challenge is encountered, it is the suggestions of the audience that help solve it. No suggestion is ignored. Simple things like tomatoes and cheese are used to solve many, many problems as the adventurers attempt to catch a troll and put him back inside the story book.

This is a strong piece of theatre that your family will remember for a long time to come. Don’t miss it.

Rating: *****

• Until August 19