Once Upon A Rhyme at Tivoli Theatre Wimborne Review
DISCLOSURE – TICKETS TO SEE THE SHOW WERE GIFTED TO THE REVIEWER AND GUEST FOR THE PURPOSES OF WRITING THE REVIEW
Reviewed by Helen O
With 2 young children, nursery rhymes are very much part of our everyday soundtrack, so I was really excited to get the opportunity to take them to see Once Upon a Rhyme at the Tivoli Theatre in Wimborne this afternoon. We love a good family show, and with the Tivoli’s cosy, welcoming atmosphere, it felt like the perfect place to enjoy a gentle, nursery-rhyme based performance together.
As The Tivoli is such an intimate space, wherever you sit in the theatre, you are afforded a great view of all the action on the stage. Although we were seated at the rear of the theatre, it was still close enough for my kids to feel fully involved. The Tivoli team were wonderfully friendly and helpful, making sure little ones had everything they needed to feel comfortable and settled before the show began.
Billed as “a magical mix of storybook charm and pop concert energy”, Once Upon a Rhyme certainly delivers on that promise. The show invites children to sing, dance, rhyme and repeat, as favourite nursery rhyme characters are brought to life before their eyes.
The story follows a group of familiar nursery rhyme friends who are preparing for a very important Super Show but a pesky storm has made everything a bit higgledy‑piggledy. They need the audience’s help to find the missing items and put things right in time. It’s a simple, upbeat storyline that works beautifully for younger audiences, especially those who adore the comfort of well known rhymes.
First we met Sunny B and Breeze, our comperes for the afternoon, who brought infectious energy, encouraging audience participation at every opportunity. Shortly followed by an array of playful characters such as Egg Sheeran, Farmer MacDoodle, Goldirocks, and Alice and Bunny. Their costumes reminded me of characters from The Masked Singer and were larger than life.
Each scene was designed to get little ones moving and grooving, clapping, and singing along. My children were completely captivated, especially during the moments where characters popped up unexpectedly or encouraged the audience to join in.
The cast did a wonderful job of bringing these characters to life. Their costumes were colourful, fun, and instantly recognisable, accompanied by a simple set design, which carried the story along nicely, keeping the focus purely on the characters.
Our favourite moment was when Egg Sheeran performed Sing a Song of Sixpence in tune with Ed Sheeran’s hit Sing. It was really clever how they intertwined the nursery rhyme with the famous pop track and exactly the kind of magic you hope for in a family performance.
The show lasted just over an hour with no interval, which felt just right for the age group it’s aimed at. I felt it was perfect for pre-schoolers. And as a lovely bonus, the performance included a free meet and greet with some of the stars of the show afterwards. It’s always nice when the children get an opportunity to meet the characters afterwards.
As far as I understand, the performance was a special standalone event at the Tivoli, rather than part of a national tour, which made it feel even more like a treat for local families. The Tivoli continues to be a fantastic venue for these kinds of shows, offering a warm, accessible environment that really supports younger audiences.
We thoroughly enjoyed ourselves this afternoon and would happily recommend Once Upon a Rhyme to anyone looking for a gentle, engaging introduction to live theatre for little ones especially those who love music, fun, and a sprinkle of nursery rhyme sparkle.
Rating: 5/5
RRP: Tickets from £14 (under 18’s) and £16 (adults)
Buy Tickets here: https://www.tivoliwimborne.co.uk/events/once-upon-a-rhyme/
Address: The Tivoli Theatre Wimborne, 19 West Borough, Wimborne Minster, BH21 1LT