In
this adaptation of the very popular SPOT books, David Wood
has created an exciting introduction to theatre for small
children. Using the simple plot of a birthday party, complete
with entertainer, Spot (a puppy) and his animal friends, Steve
(a monkey), Tom ( a crocodile), and Helen (a Hippo), helped
by Sam and Sally (Spot’s Mother and Father), enjoy the
birthday party, reflecting children’s early experiences
such as guests arriving, present-giving, game-playing and
going home thank-yous.
There
is a certain amount of fun educational content as well as
masses of audience participation throughout. The children
are treated more as party guests than simply as spectators.
There is plenty of fun for the actors, too, with singing,
character movement and, optionally, some acrobatic skills
to show off!
 David
Wood writes : Creating a theatre show for three-year-olds
is a real challenge! You can take nothing for granted, and
have to find the right balance between simplicity and sophistication,
not patronising, yet offering clarity and truth. I thoroughly
enjoyed rehearsing this show, and sitting in the audience
was always a treat.
Eric Hill’s characters came off the
page even better than I had hoped. Spot and his friends, although
animals, embodied very recognisable human characteristics.
Helen was confident, Steve was cheeky, Tom was shy, and Spot
was generous and exuberant.
Together they brought a festive atmosphere
to the theatre, which hopefully gave our audience, most of
whom were first-time theatregoers, a very special experience.
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