ANiMALCOLM the Musical at the Nottingham Playhouse Review

Reviewed by Louise Edwards

ANiMALCOLM the Musical is a stage production by Story Pocket Theatre, based on the book written by David Baddiel. The adaptation and lyrics are by Adam Fletcher-Forde, who also is co-director with Julia Black. Black is a key figure in the development of youth theatre in the UK. Music is by David Perkins.

Suited for children aged 5 plus, the show opens with Malcolm (played by Adam Colborne) waking up on his 11th birthday hoping for the gift of a laptop. His familly, Mum (Grace Alexander-Scott), Dad (William Forde), Grandad (James Peake), sister (Charlotte Haines) and younger brother (played by Esther-Grace Button) are all huge animal fans and present him with a pet chinchilla to his disappointment.

The reason for his dismay is that Malcolm however isn’t a fan of animals. His dislike stems from a bad experience at the zoo on the family’s regular weekly visit and an encounter with the chimpanzee enclosure – an event his family remind him of frequently. 

To make matters worse, year 6 school residential trip to a farm is his main birthday surprise – not the ideal gift for someone who isn’t an animal fan! 

The five family members play a variety of animals, as a spell from K-PAX the mystical goat brought home with the hippy farm owners on their travels around the world turns Malcolm into an animal. He starts as a tortoise, transforming into a sheep, cat, pig and chimp to name a few. Everything is seamless and well thought out with each animal having its own language and accent only they can understand.

The show, which has taken a year of planning, writing, composing, designing and rehearsing is amusing and entertaining with a strong storyline and catchy tunes. Fans of David Walliams and Roald Dahl will love the engaging performance and it is a fantastic show for all the family and a great educational medium to encourage reading and literacy. 

Rating: 5/5

ANiMALCOLM the Musical is currently on tour around the UK, for more information and tour dates visit storypockettheatre.co.uk.

For other shows at the Nottingham Playhouse visit www.nottinghamplayhouse.co.uk or call the box office on 0115 941 9419.

Nottingham Playhouse, Wellington Circus, Nottingham, NG1 5AF | 0115 941 9419