Theatre review: Little Ulla, Citizens’ Theatre

POSTMAN Pat’s been privatised, and the Royal Mail isn’t what it used to be. Yet in the tiny Stalls Studio at the Citizens’ Theatre, Grinagog Theatre Company – in the shape of writer/performer Clare McGarry, and her fellow-actor Steven Rae – are presenting a show which proves beyond a sparkle of doubt that the magic of old-fashioned postal delivery can still capture the imaginations of tiny tots.

Admittedly, the postal service in McGarry’s 45-minute interactive show starts with an advantage, in that it’s set in a beguiling alpine village (represented by a pop-up snowscape and some cheery shop-fronts), and staffed by Ulla The Goat, a cheery little puppet postie who forms an instant bond with the three and four-year-olds sitting cross-legged and open-mouthed on the floor. She teaches us her yodelling catch-phrase –“I’ve got a little letter for yoo-hoo-hoo” – and off we go, over Alp and dale, delivering giant Christmas cards to various village characters.

The complication in the plot comes when nice Mr Hands the clockmaker doesn’t get any cards, and we in the audience have to create some for him; a little more hands-on card-making might have been in order here, since the story clearly calls for it.

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There’s a lovely moment, though, when Ulla and Steven pull string after string of sparkling Christmas cards from the postbag, to decorate Mr Hands’s lonely home. And we adults in the audience are left to dab the odd tear from our eyes, and to admire the well-crafted simplicity of a show that achieves a near-perfect rhythm of narrative, interaction and song for young children; and is so full of the classic Christmas virtues of generosity and love that at the end, the little kids line up to give big chubby hugs to Ulla and Mr Hands, before they set off home, in a fine little glow of midwinter warmth.

Rating: ****

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