|
|
 |
| |
Mouse Queen’s a real knockout
THE MOUSE QUEEN
Hampstead Theatre
FORGET the cheesy They’re behind you pantos: if you want to give yourself a Christmas treat, get down to the Hampstead Theatre to see the absolute knock-out production of The Mouse Queen.
It is no wonder the show was taken from its beginnings at the Little Angel theatre off Upper Street in Islington to the prestigious children’s theatre on Broadway, New York.
It has been a successful 12 months at Hampstead – this is a crowning moment of the theatre’s year.
The cast are all wonderful musicians, playing a variety of instruments to tell the story of Tilly Mouse’s journey to the city where she hopes to grow big, and King Leonard the Lion’s quest to become ruler of the human beings as well as the jungle animals.
Based on one of Aesop’s Fables, there is a sweet message of being nice to one another hidden among the raucous songs but it is not presented in a sugary sweey Disney style slushiness.
Instead, it is like an infants’ starter course to making the world a better place, with Tilly Mouse proclaiming to the jungle beasts that life should be a case of each giving according to their ability, and receiving according to their needs.
Master puppet creator Peter O’Rourke has truly excelled. Tilly’s arrival in the jungle, and then later into the big city, are particularly inventive.
Coming in at under an hour-and-a-half, it means even the youngest can keep up with the action. I took my son, who is under three, and his interest was sustained by the consistently hilarious and catchy songs.
Loosley based on Klezmer, the cast show their skills on instrurments as diverse as the ukelele, the accordion, clarinet and sax and even a wonderful tap dancing sequence with a lion accompanied by a monkey playing the spoons.
The Mouse Queen is a masterpiece and the perfect way to celebrate the winter season.
Until Jan 12
0207 722 9301
|
 |
Check Prices, Availability & Book Online
Receive Online Discounts and Instant Confirmation |
|
|
|
