Dear Zoo

Based on the hit book first released in 1982, Dear Zoo was expected to be an upbeat, family friendly show that brought the characters to life, and it did not disappoint. Before having watched the show, and with my limited research, I was excited to watch the audience participate in the interactive aspects of the show, seeing children captivated by the immersive story telling, and enjoying the relaxed experience provided by Lowry, on the intimate stage of Quays Theatre. Walking into the theatre, the room was upbeat and lively, the music lending itself to creating an anticipatory atmosphere where kids were eager to watch on their readily provided booster seats.

Dear Zoo, following the same plotline as the lift-the-flap book, explores the adventure a boy (Ben) and his friend (Sally) face sending letters to the local zoo, asking for a pet, and the animals the zoo and zookeeper (Sam) deliver in response. We see the stage bring to life the story of all the animals that get sent to fulfil these children’s wishes, ranging from creatures too big to animals too scary, before finally receiving the perfect pet to resolve the story. Throughout the show there were educational moments, teaching the children the meaning of words, like ‘fragile’ and ‘danger’, whilst keeping the story moving ahead. Whilst this story may not be the most original or full of twists, it is perfect for families who want a laugh and a learning experience all in one. The constant use of actions to relate back to animals helps the children to remember characters and motives, aiding them in their memory and cognitive skills however subconscious it is.

The curious and excitable Ben is portrayed well by Marcus Jones (The Dinosaur that Pooped; A Rock Show) who melded learning and fun seamlessly for children to enjoy. He brought laughter to the audience with his brilliant comedic timing and well placed slapstick, interacting with the props, cast and audience with a joy that infected everyone he performed for. 

Jennifer Peters (The Three Little Pigs - UK Tour, Beauty & The Beast - Chequer Mead Theatre) portrays best friend Sally, who aids her friend in finding a suitable pet to keep. Peters uses her charismatic attitude to captivate and welcome the audience in interacting and enjoying the experience. She brings life to her character and makes the experience riveting for all children watching, whilst utilising her voice and musical aptitude to lead group singalongs with the audience.

The final named character is Sam the Zookeeper, who is the one to deliver each animal to the friends. The actor brought laughter to the role, showing his experience through the delivery of his lines and actions, for example making the weight from the animals in the crates seem realistic to the children whilst not losing his stage presence. Everyone of his entrances is eagerly awaited  by audience members who verbally showed their delight at his arrival. He helps to teach the children watching that kindness is always the way to go, expertly threading the positive attitudes into his character through both small actions throughout the show and to mention again, the delivery of his lines.

Working alongside those three were two other actors who both worked to make sure the animals worked seamlessly onstage, from being playing the parts of the mischievous monkey and jumpy frog, to puppeteering the scary snake and grumpy camel along with the rest of the unusual animals that are shown. Getting the timing and movements right in these parts is essential for children to fully enjoy themselves and these actors nailed it. Eliciting excited shrieks and enthusiastic shouts from the audience, these people did an amazing job with the puppeteering. 

One of the first things I noticed about the set was the incredible faithfulness to the original book it portrayed throughout the performance, which we can thank Ian Westbrook (Treasure Island - UK tours, The Horrible Histories, Chicago - Verona Arena) for. His creative set design, with his cartoonish mix of 2D and 3D props to bring the animals and set to life, feature bright colours and simple, almost childish designs that make the show entertaining to watch, lending into the quirky atmosphere of the show.

Of course, this whole show would be impossible to put on without the original book, written and illustrated by Rod Campbell (other books include Dear Santa, and Noisy Farm), who first published the book in 1982 and then released the Pop-up version later on in 1989. The repetitive message presented in the book and the show makes it easy for kids to digest and enjoy, leading to just under an hour of laughs and fun for the whole family. The bright and amusing show is perfect for both first time theatre-goes, with its relaxed, interactive style, as well as frequent watchers who can anticipate watching another great show.

Overall, this show is a great watch for all children from ages 2 to 6, with an easy to follow and exciting storyline as well as fun interactive songs and actions the children can participate in, making a memorable day for families. This show presents both educational and upbeat moments, with comedy present throughout for a light-hearted informative show that gives kids voices to show off their knowledge of animals and counting among other areas throughout the story. There is no expectation to keep still and quiet either through the show which makes it perfect for talkative, excitable children. Overall I would wholeheartedly recommend this show for families with young children, no matter if they have been to a show or not, as it is a great experience that has already been proven to be successful. 

WE SCORE DEAR ZOO...