By Melanie Adams.
They may be The Baddies, but this show is definitely a goodie!
This Easter week, Mayflower Studios welcomes the brand-new stage adaptation of the Julia Donaldson and Axel Scheffler 2022 book.
Although one of their lesser-known tales, it was perfect for my superhero-loving four-year-old, who loves nothing more than catching baddies and seeing good prevail!
The show follows the Troll, the Witch and the Ghost, who claim to be the very worst of all the baddies, as they try to get the handkerchief from the new girl who has moved into the cottage.
The book has been adapted for the stage by David Greig and Jackie Crichton, and kicks off with Mama Mouse introducing the tale with her three little mice children.
The Mary Poppins-like character teaches the importance of manners through song, a theme which runs throughout the show.
Directed and choreographed by Katie Beard, and with songs by Joe Stilgoe, this is very much a musical with all the actors on stage hitting all the right notes.
It is an incredibly slick production from Freckle Productions, that skillfully blends whimsical storytelling with catchy musical performances.
The only thing I felt it was missing was a little more audience interaction for the younger fans, who sometimes need some more direct and repetitive engagement from those on stage.
However, the impressive musical numbers make it an excellent choice for slightly older children looking for more than just simple puppet shows and light-hearted antics.
New casting was announced for this latest run and it was Ghost, played by James Stirling, who was my son’s favourite thanks to his comedic take on the ghoulish character, while Lottie Mae O’Kill held the whole show together magnificently as Mama Mouse.
The show ends with the audience all getting a glimpse into the futures of Troll, Witch and Ghost, which is a nice addition to the story and, just to prove the true magic of the show – well, my son came out reciting just how important manners are, so it’s a big thank you from me!
For tickets for The Baddies, which runs until Saturday 19 April, visit mayflower.org.uk or call 02380 711811.
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