What the Ladybird Heard by Julia Donaldson and Lydia Monks has left the West End and has arrived today (16th September 2021) in the truly stunning location of Birmingham Hippodrome as a stage show. Kenny Wax Family Entertainment have adapted the story to be performed on the stage and having watched the tour back in 2018/2019, I was excited to see what it was like with a whole new casting.
I am a big (okay, huge) Julia Donaldson fan and I have purchased all of her books for the girls. I’m very protective of her stories and every time one is adapted to the stage or TV, I’m eagerly hoping they have done it justice.
So imagine how happy I am to be able to review this show as, “An enchanting 5 star performance from an exceptional cast of just 4. You’ve heard of the phrase ‘all singing, all dancing’, it sums up the talented Roddy Lynch , Nikita Johal , James Mateo-Salt and Matthew McPherson perfectly. With a brief showing of Abigail Middleton who plays the role of the police officer”.
The 55 minute show had us engaged from start to finish. Bright colours, live catchy music, amazing puppetry and a real feel good theme. We were all gripped to the show, joining in with the songs and audience interaction. The folk style score was brilliant. I may be hearing those catchy tunes in my head for a long time to come.
It was great to see how engrossed everyone was. Children mesmerised, staring at the stage (which has cleverly been created using nice bright eye catching colours – the big blue sky and bright pink pig especially). Parents singing along and joining in with their children and the cast. It was perfect.
What the Ladybird Heard is perfect for ages 2 to 8 (and the grown ups too if I’m honest). The story is about a farmer (fellow Sutton Coldfield born Roddy Lynch) who lives on a farm which is home to a fine prize cow who wins 1st every year at the County Fair. Lanky Len (James Mateo-Salt) and Hefty Hugh (Matthew McPherson) plan to steal the cow but will the Ladybird hatch a plan with the other farmyard animals to save the fine prize cow?
A must see! A perfect show to introduce your little ones to the theatre.
Would you like to see the show? It is at Birmingham Hippodrome until Saturday 18th 2021 before the show continues on its UK Tour. Find out the tour destinations here: https://www.whattheladybirdheardlive.co.uk/
Buy tickets here: https://www.birminghamhippodrome.com/
Professional Photographs taken by Danny Kaan.
Disclaimer: We were invited along to the show by Birmingham Hippodrome. All thoughts and opinions are entirely our own.