The Adventures Of The Little Red Hen At Theatre By The Lake, Keswick Review

Reviewed by Jo Hardy

I don’t remember ever reading the story of the little red hen and my 4 year old companion for the show had never heard the story either but that didn’t stop us from being super excited and it was lovely for us to share this new experience together. Many of us only think about taking children to the theatre at Christmas to see a panto but theatre story telling is a great way to expand childrens imagination any time of the year and it is so good for everyone young and old to have a break from technology and get properly immersed in a story.

There was plenty of pay and display parking next to the theatre and as always we got a lovely warm welcome from all the staff, we just had enough time to buy an ice cream in the foyer before we took our seats in the theatre , although we didn’t need one I noticed many children have been given boosters for the seat to make sure they got a good view.
The stage was set with a large wooden cabinet in the middle and various other smaller props.  We had fun identifying all the animal noises that were playing in the background while we waited for the show to start.  It was at this point my little companion said to me “ I like this show” so we were off to a good start.

The show featured two actors and four puppets a hen a pig a cow and a rat.  The puppets made appearances from doors and drawers that opened in the cabinet that was centre stage.  The cabinet also became a mill for the corn and an oven to cook the bread.  It was so realistic that when the loaf was brought out of the oven we thought we could smell it.

Star of the show the Little Red Hen was sometimes a puppet and other times a person, which initially my companion was a little confused about, eventually she decided the puppet was the baby hen and the actor was the grown up hen and seemed content with that.

The small energetic cast told us the story of how the little red hen couldn’t get anyone to help her make the bread and ended up doing it all herself then when she finally had a lovely loaf baked everyone wanted to help her eat it . There was a huge cry from the audience when the male actor stole the bread when the little red hen was distracted but it had a happy ending he’d only taken it to make some sandwiches and the show ended with them both enjoying the sandwich feast.

There was also live music played on a guitar and a glockenspiel.  Throughout the show all the children in the audience engaged enthusiastically with the actors. My little companion was grinning from ear to ear the whole time.  She especially enjoyed making the noises to get the mill machine to work.   What a lovey way to spend a half term afternoon

The Adventures of the Little Red Hen is presented by the Stuff and Nonsense Theater Company , they are a touring company who describe themselves as “making inspiring theatre for bold adventure” and after watching their show I wouldn’t argue with that description.

The show runs for one hour with no interval and is recommended for children aged 3 – 10 , accompanying adults will enjoy it too.  Part of that enjoyment comes from watching the children getting involved in the story.

The show at Theatre by the Lake runs from 21st February with a 3pm show and 22nd and 23rd February with shows at 11am and 2pm

Tickets are £14 each and can be purchased on the theatre website:
Theatrebythelake.com

Rating: 5/5