The new musical adaptation of Winnie the Pooh – which opened at Mayflower Theatre today – brings Pooh, Piglet, Kanga, Roo, Owl, and Tigger, to the stage.
Deep in the Hundred Acre Wood, a new adventure is about to begin as we join Pooh and friends on a series of charming adventures as they search for honey throughout the changing seasons.
The set design is simple but idyllic, and brings to life the world created by A. A. Milne’s stories and E.H. Shephard’s illustrations so many years ago.
And the puppets – created by Rockefeller Productions – have that touch of Disney magic that we have come to expect from our favourite ‘silly old bear’.
The talent of the puppeteers behind the characters is exceptional, and you soon forget they are behind their life size counterparts as they come alive before your eyes.
Pooh is played by Benjamin Durham, who nails, not only his performance, but also the characteristics and voice of the loveable bear, and Robbie Noonan is both infectious and energetic as he takes to the stage as Tigger, who the audience loved.
Harry Boyd gives a trio of incredible performances as Eeyore, Rabbit and Owl – so much so that I didn’t notice he was playing all three until I read it afterwards!
Lottie Grogan plays Piglet and Roo, and Kanga was played by Laura Bacon, who were both delightful in their portrayals.
Accompanying the narrative is an original score by Nate Edmondson, featuring shortened versions of the Grammy award-winning songs written by the Sherman Brothers for the original animated features, including Winnie the Pooh, The Blustery Day, and The Wonderful Thing About Tiggers.
This adaptation of Winnie the Pooh is a heart warming and wholesome family stage show, and I’m sure there will be many first time theatre-goers who will remember it fondly for the rest of their lives.
After all, who doesn’t love Winnie the Pooh, and Tigger too!
Winnie the Pooh runs until Sunday (4 June), tickets are on sale at mayflower.org.uk or 02380 711811.
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