Could there ever be too many penguins?
Not if they're all as cute'n'cuddly as the ones that fetch up in Frozen Charlotte's gently whimsical production for ages up to three years old. As the tots make themselves comfortable on the frozen wastes – actually some cosy-on-the-toes white carpet – Mr Polaro (Samuel Jameson) is making himself comfortable in his armchair, with a cup of tea and his newspaper. He's a rather pukka polar bear of the old school: bow tie, natty pullover, a liking for everything in its place, not given to casual conversation. On his doorstep, however, a visitor has set up her tent and before long the chatty, exuberant Penguina ( Nicola Jo Cully) has not only disrupted Mr Polaro's reclusive peace: a dozen or so of her tourist chums have arrived as well.
Katy Wilson's design positively majors on splendid surprises. Adults as well as little ones are entranced by the imaginative ways the penguins – all of them customised with little costume details – invade Mr Polaro's personal space. Jameson's body language and Cully's expressive vocalisings have made sure we get the picture, but their puppetry skills with the penguins add further layers of charming comedy. By the end, everyone is having fun and the tinies have got their mitts on the penguins.
Elsewhere in the MacBob, the ages three and over group watching Polar Molar have got "husky paw" mittens to wear so as they can help Captain Scot Scott (Ros Sydney) and lead husky DogBog (Julia Innocenti) on their quest to trap the last polar bear. Trap? Conservationists can relax. Abigail Docherty's script ensures the gung-ho captain sees the error of his ways, thanks to the wily interventions of DogBog who is weary of exploring and just wants to go home. Again, design, by the ever-inventive Karen Tennent, is an intriguing part of the action. Here, it's the interior of a Heath Robinson-esque snowmobile full of improbable gizmos. Innocenti's hang-dog expressions and wistful hints about firesides and walkies probably sell the animal welfare/ecology message more effectively than the official characters - all DogBog in disguise - who haul Scott up for speeding, pollution and other crimes against the polar habitats and species. And for youngsters, the joining-in action bits are probably best of all.
Lots and lots of joining in for wee ones in Scottish Youth Theatre's show at the Lemon Tree. Merlock (Brad Morrison) recruits everyone as apprentice magicians, a process complete with spell-making movements, while Jack (Scott Miller) and his Mother (Michelle Bruce) welcome us to the farm where they live - a beautifully laid out floor plan leads us there. The story echoes that of Jack and the Beanstalk, with us helping to plant the beans and send Jack off on his adventure. This stops short of an actual confrontation with the giant. But by then there's been an hour of joining in songs and games and spells, with the cast responding wholeheartedly - and quick-wittedly - to the many enthusiastic interventions from the apprentices. Everyone gets magic bubbles to take away but the real magic is in the shared experience of good quality live theatre.
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