We were given press tickets in return for this review – all opinions are my own. Photo credit to Johan Persson
In the Night Garden Live is a stage adaptation using puppets, life-sized costumes and music to bring the magic of the beloved children’s television programme to life
If you are a parent of a child aged ten or under you cannot possibly have missed the In the Night Garden phase. Our toddler, Little L, is no exception to the In the Night Garden fan club and has been asking about seeing Iggle Piggle since I told him we were going!
I have to admit I was skeptical about a live version however I needn’t have been.
The curtain raises on a large book “Iggle Piggle’s Busy Day”
Iggle Piggle!
The theme music plays as a puppet Iggle Piggle makes his way across the stage in his little boat. The premise of the story is Iggle Piggle needs to find his friends and has to follow a noise in order to find them.
The first characters to be seen are puppets. I was a bit worried that the whole show would feature just puppets but I needn’t have worried. A large life-sized Iggle Piggle followed the Ninky Nonk on stage much to the children’s delight. The puppets work very well alongside the life-sized characters.
The first In the Night Garden Live character to be found by Iggle Piggle is Makka Pakka
Makka Pakka
Makka Pakka was very popular with the audience. At first seen in a life-sized costume doing his little dance, he is replaced by a puppet as, of course, the real Makka Pakka is actually quite small (I feel I may be too invested in this programme). Makka Pakka quickly went about his(?) business of cleaning Iggle Piggle’s face.
Face cleaning done, Iggle Piggle and Makka Pakka go on their merry way, making way for the Pontipines
All ten of them. The Pontipine children act up, like they do. You have to wonder what the Pontipines were thinking, having so many children in quick succession but who am I to judge?
Next to take the limelight was Upsy Daisy
Upsy Daisy – what a rock star!
I have to say I wasn’t aware quite what a rock star Upsy Daisy is. The kids were thrilled when the previous characters appeared, but Upsy Daisy is like In the Night Garden Royalty. The crowd went wild!
Upsy Daisy sang…badly, as she does, Makka Pakka joined them. They all hugged.
In the Night Garden features all the favourites, as well as Iggle Piggle, Makka Pakka, and Upsy Daisy there are the aforementioned Pontipines and Tombliboos (who did not lose their trousers, much to the disappointment of the mum behind us) but the piece de resistance has to be….
The Amazing Flying Pinky Ponk!
Even I was in awe – and I’m not joking. It flew across the audience and was actually quite magical.
In the Night Garden Live lasted about an hour
This was about right. Toddlers start to get restless after about half an hour but I find with some tactical sweets you can keep them going a bit longer.
The gang!
What did we think of In the Night Garden Live?
You can’t put a price on your little ones face when they watch their heroes on stage. I have to admit, looking around I did see several dads who were questioning their life choices but these shows aren’t for us, it’s all about the kids! I wouldn’t hesitate to recommend it to other hardcore In the Night Garden fans.
The show continues at Churchill Theatre Bromley until 24th August and then tours around the country – for full detials check out the In the Night Garden website here
For other reviews and things to do check out my travel and days out section here
