Famous franchises aren’t just big business in Hollywood: they’re also the driving force behind much of London kids’ theatre. And source material doesn’t come much better known than We’re Going on a Bear Hunt, which is so ubiquitous that we got given at least three copies when my daughter was born.
Written by Michael Rosen and illustrated by Helen Oxenbury, the original book is a rhythmic, repetitive romp for babies and toddlers. The version by Little Angel Theatre is quite a different beast, for a slightly older crowd of three-to-eight-year-olds, though the audience at my Saturday-morning rendition definitely tended towards the lower end of that scale.
Four spirited puppeteer-actor-musicians animate a pint-sized family of five and their dog, giving all of them – from the dad to baby Bertie – distinct personalities and moments to shine, with DIY sound effects and plenty of funny bits. The puppets are by Lyndie Wright, one of the couple who founded the Little Angel Theatre in 1961, and the naturalism of their movements and interactions is seriously impressive – almost cinematic.
Imaginative sets conjure an idyllic summer meadow, a rippling river, a field of mud, a wild forest and (as reality blurs into fantasy) a swirling, whirling snowstorm. The changing landscape is dotted with beautifully lifelike puppet animals. There are foot-stomping songs by London cabaret mainstay Barb Jungr, performed live by the cast, along with harmonic vocals. It all builds a gently magical atmosphere, and adds just enough complexity to keep older kids engaged, while keeping the bones of the story recognisable for the pre-schoolers.
Finally, it’s time to meet the bear (who’s much cuddlier than the one in the book) and scramble off on a chaotic race back home to bed. By the time it’s all over, forty minutes have flown by. ‘We’re not going on a bear hunt again’ is how the book ends – but honestly, I’d be happy to see it all over.
