The buzz around Nottingham Playhouse for this ‘new’ classic was palpable… with the only question on everyone’s lips: “How are they going to shrink Grandpa?”
The answer was straightforward, clever and fun.
All that was required was a mixture of lively and savvy acting, imaginative stagecraft and an audience more than willing to suspend disbelief.
Nottingham Playhouse itself is the driving force behind this first-ever stage show of the popular CBeebies hit and the hard work pays off in spectacular style.
From the off, this energetic musical is a delight for youngsters and parents alike.
On TV it’s one of the shows the parents love and writers Mellie Buse and Jan Page know which buttons to press.
The accomplished cast, some of whom you’ll know from other children's television programmes (none of Grandpa’s TV cast are here), generate an unquestioning response from the auditorium as if the audience was part of the show. Perfect.
The story is about the relationship between a boy and his grandfather. Grandpa has a magic cap which shrinks him to a matter of inches tall… and that’s where the adventures begin.
We see the townsfolk of Sunnysands tell stories of the family we love from TV – and they use the muse of a dressing up box to help tell stories of Jason, Grandpa and the famous family and friends.
This clever tactic easily gets around any worries around the audience matching cast with characters as the familiar clothes we see week-in week-out are vivid and instantly recognisable.
The scenery is big, bold and ingenious at times – and we loved the use made of each seashore beach hut!
Of course, as it’s a magical show it’s all pretend and the recurring fantasy of a shrinking grandpa keeps the kids on the edge of their seats.
With singing, dancing, puppetry and participation the pace of the action seldom lets up.
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Nottingham is full of fun, according to the traditional football chant. It's full of a few other things, too, so while I welcome comments, don't bother adding anything that won't get published...