This weekend we were invited along to see Mr Popper’s Penguins at Waterside, Sale, Greater Manchester. I love family theatre and we’ve seen a few different shows as Waterside including Father Christmas last year which is by the same production company Pins and Needles. Mr Popper’s Penguins is based on the 1930s Picture book. It was a smash hit on both Broadway and the West End too.
Mr Popper is a painter and decorator living in Stillwater. He spends his days painting houses and his evenings dreaming of exploring Antarctica. One day a penguin arrives at his home, sent by his hero Admiral Drake. This penguin certainly turns Mr & Mrs Popper’s lives upside down, especially when they are sent another penguin and later they are joined by not 1 but 8 baby penguins.
There were gasps from the audience when the first penguin is revealed from the crate. The puppet is about the size of a toddler and has a cheeky, child-like personality that has the audience in fits of giggles as it ran around the stage, tried to eat the Popper’s goldfish and bites Mrs Popper on the bum. Mr Popper names the first Penguin Captain Cook and the second Greta. It’s lovely to watch how these penguins start to charm even Mrs Popper, who was less than pleased when the first one came to stay. It’s fair to say all the children in the audience fell for the adorable puppets. I think many of use adults did too.
Ten penguins eat a lot of fish and to supplement the families income the penguins are soon trained like seals and put on stage to earn their keep. They perform in theatres across the land to great acclaim but soon it is time for the penguins to return to Antarctica where they belong. Not without the Poppers travelling back with them, fulfilling Mr Popper’s life long dream.
The cast of 4 actors does a fantastic job of performing the show and bringing the penguin puppets to life. The show is filled with fabulous musical numbers and even ends with the audience on their feet learning a penguin dance with the cast (my kids loved this). The set design perfectly sets the scene but lets the penguin puppets shine as the stars of the show. Overall Mr Popper’s Penguins is a fantastic mini-musical for families.
My girls are 3 and 6 years old. They loved every minute of this show. It’s the perfect length to keep their attention. The penguin puppets were definitely the highlight for them. Their childlike energy and naughtiness won them over in seconds. I’ve never seen them laugh as much. I’m sure they’ll still be talking about this show for many weeks to come. They’re still talking about Stickman that we saw back in October.
- Mr Popper’s Penguins is based on the book by Richard & Florence Atwater.
- Adapted for the stage by Pins & Needles Productions.
- Music by Luke Bateman.
- Lyrics by Richy Hughes.
- Presented by arrangement with Kenny Wax Family Entertainment and TC Beech.
- Running time approx 65 minutes (no interval).
- Cast – Mr Popper: Will Kelly, Mrs Popper: Monica Nash, Captain Cook: Benedict Chambers, Greta: Susanna Jennings.
- Stage Manager: Janine Bardsley,
- ASM/ Understuy: Kat Engall
Mr Popper’s Penguins is on at Waterside Arts until the 31st December and as I write this there are still tickets available. Tickets start from £12.50. Find out more and book yours here. You won’t be disappointed.
Disclosure: We were given tickets in exchange for this review. All thoughts and opinions are my own. The photos (except the one of my girls) are all press images by Jason Lock.
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