Wow! Said the Owl at The Hawth Crawley Review
Reviewed by Amanda Hayes
We enjoyed a magical morning yesterday morning at The Hawth in Crawley watching the children’s production, Wow! Said the Owl. Tim Hopgood’s picture book is beautifully brought to life by the Little Angel Theatre Company. Suitable for the younger audience of around 2-5 its just 35 minutes long, perfect for the short attention span of the pre-schooler.
There is only one actor/puppeteer in the entire performance and she delights with a fantastic feather dress and bird like gestures as she tells the story of the curious owl that stays awake to see what the daytime is like. With simple scenery, she tells how the day unfolds with the pink dawn, beautiful yellow sun, green trees, grey rainclouds and the colourful rainbow. The cute puppet owl peeps from his nest and flies through the sky delighting in the daytime wonders. At the end of the show the day turns into night and the feather dress is swopped for a shimmering dress of twinkling stars. That’s when the owl realises that the night time is the best place to be, flying up high amongst the stars in the beautiful night sky.
The show was held in The Studio which is a small room holding up to 146 spectators and was perfect for this event. The way its laid out and the size of the Studio means that everyone gets a great view. The theatre does however give out booster seats for children free of charge. The Hawth itself is easy to get to, close to the centre of Crawley and has easy motorway access. There is also plenty of free parking right outside and two well stocked bar areas.
Wow! Said the Owl, is a captivating yet simple production and a perfect introduction to theatre for young children. Its long enough to follow the story of the book but short enough for the type of restless audience its targeted at. The show is a lovely family trip out and at £24 for a family ticket won’t break the bank. Highly recommended.
Rating: 5/5
Wow! Said the Owl is at The Hawth in Crawley from 1-2 April 2017, for more information or to book tickets visit www.parkwoodtheatres.co.uk or call the box office on 01293 553636.
The Hawth, Hawth Avenue, Crawley, Sussex, RH10 6YZ | 01293 553636
