Peppa Pig’s Big Splash Royal and Derngate Review
Peppa Pig’s Big Splash!
Royal and Derngate, Northampton
7-8 March 2014
Reviewed by Michelle Llabani
With my 3 year old son not being a big Peppa Pig fan I had to enlist the help of my 3 year old niece to get a true fan’s opinion of the show at the Royal and Derngate in Northampton. The show started promptly at 1:00 pm and as the curtain rose I could see my niece’s excitement levels rise as well, as with numerous Peppa Pig teddies in her arms she watched the opening scene.
The play starts with Daisy, a real person, looking for her friends Susie Sheep, Pedro Pony, Peppa Pig etc…, and these slowly start appearing from behind various bits of shrubbery and staging. Confused at first, I was getting a little bit frustrated that being in row F and to the side you could see a number of the puppeteers working the small 1 meter tall (if that) puppets. However this was to prove no problem as after the initial scene the puppeteers proceeded to make themselves known and for the rest of the show were clearly visible with the puppets sitting on the end of their hands like a ventriloquists dummy.
The storyline was simple and easy to follow, interspersed with a number of catchy songs to get the little ones off their seats and dancing. There were guest appearances from Mr Bull, Daddy Pig and Mr Potato, who strangely was a full sized person in a potato outfit!
With a running time of 1 hour 15 minutes including a 10 minute interval, the show was exactly the right length for the target audience of 1-4 year olds, even my 1 year old nephew was entranced for the majority of the show.
For my part I found the show watchable and entertaining, with the actors doing a good job of recreating the voices of the animals and the trademark snort of Peppa. Prices start from £13.50 which is not cheap, but acceptable. Ultimately though, in this case, it is not my opinion which counts… both my son and niece came out of the show having had a thoroughly good time. My son told me numerous times that ‘that show was really good mummy’, and my niece thought I was the bees knees for getting the tickets. Therefore for holding the attention of 3 children ranging in age from 1-3 and getting them up on their feet and dancing I give this show 4 stars.
Rating: 4/5
Peppa Pig’s Big Splash is currently touring the UK, for information and tour dates visit www.peppapiglive.com.
For information on shows at the Royal and Derngate visit www.royalandderngate.co.uk.
