Another one where the video has me desperate to go. These youtube links will have cost me hundreds by the time I've finished this post. We went to see James and The Giant Peach at the Northern Stage last year and it was brilliant, my two would have been much too young for it, but I would have loved for them to see the props and staging, and now here is my chance! The video giving a sneak peak of this stage show looks amazing!
Info: The timeless classic makes its way off the page and onto the stage. Featuring a menagerie of 75 lovable puppets, faithfully adapting four of Eric Carle's stories, The Artist Who Painted a Blue Horse, Mister Seahorse, The Very Lonely Firefly and of course The Very Hungry Caterpillar.
This is one to book in soon if you fancy it as I'm sure it will sell out. I remember looking for tickets for the showing in Middlesborough a year or so ago and all of the tickets went straight away. I'm still deciding whether or not to book tickets - after watching the video below I really want to, it's not cheap at £43 for me and the two toddlers including booking fee, but I don't know if I'll regret it if we don't get them?
Info: Touching, funny and utterly original. This award-winning production features a trio of top actors and is packed full of puppetry, songs, live music and funky moves.
Ages: Most suitable for all aged 3+ but all ages welcome.
Another Julia Donaldson classic, and produced by the same company as Stickman. When I checked there weren't loads of tickets left, but there was availability at each showing.
Info: Betty O'Barley and Harry O'Hay are scarecrows . Harry loves Betty, and Betty loves Harry, so they decide to get married and Harry sets off to search for their wedding day essentials. However, when the farmer notices he is missing a scarecrow, he replaces Harry with the devilishly smooth but dangerous Reginald Rake. Can Reginald persuade Betty that he is the scarecrow for her? Will Harry make it back before Reginald ruins their special day? This adaptation is truly heart-warming and promises wit, drama, and wedding bells!
Not strictly for pre-schoolers (the recommended age is 5+ but I couldn't not include it. The trailer looks so cute with all of the animals. Another one to book soon if you fancy it as availability - especially in the stalls - looked limited.
This one looks quite different from the rest as from the trailer there doesn't seem to be the big props the way there are in the others, but there are puppets, magic and some really funny scenes, so I think it would be a hit with pre-schoolers.
Info: In this topsy-turvy re-telling of The Elves and The Shoemaker we meet Geoff, a lovable retired shoemaker. One day at the bottom of his garden he is visited by two magical friends who help him to recall the old days in the shoe shop, reliving the hard times, the good times and the magic! The show features original toe-tapping music, laugh out loud characters, puppetry and even a little bit of real magic!
Which one has caught your eye? Do you have any other recommendations that I've missed? Drop us a comment below.