Writer: Joseph Coelho and Fiona Lumbers
Adaptor: Joseph Coelho and David Gibb
Director: Dermot Daly
The importance of books and reading from a young age really can’t be stressed enough. Books are a tool that can help both young and old escape into new worlds, understand real life events and develop skills that will be with you for life. Facts that are the very heart of the new children’s production Luna Loves Library Day: The Musical, which is currently showing at Z-Arts in Manchester and in other North West Venues, including Burnley Central Library, Darwen Library , St Helens Library, Bolton Library, Sale Library and Urmston Library throughout the rest of the year.
Aimed at children aged 3+ (with a further recommended age of 5-8 for maximum enjoyment), this one hour show explores the separation of a mummy and daddy and how Luna uses books and her local library to help her understand and adapt to her new life.
This show is based on the book by Waterstones’ Children’s Laureate Joseph Coelho and Fiona Lumbers and has been adapted to the stage by Coelho and David Gibb. It follows little Luna (Yasmina Berraoui) who adores library day, not only because it is a time to explore the shelves filled with a multitude of factual and fictional reads, but because it is also special one-to-one-time with her dad (Kane Matthews).
There is something magical about seeing the pages of a book brought to life and with a simple, but effective set, where a piano is disguised as a table and a library desk, live music and singing, breaking of the fourth wall, bright costumes and some shadow puppetry, there is plenty to entertain young primary children. With some slower songs and touching moments towards the end of the show, children any less than four or children who may have a shorter attention span, may struggle to stay with the actors for the entirety of the production.
There are only three performers in the piece – Berraoui, Matthews and Nicki Davy as the Mum/Librarian – and they do a lovely job of working together, under Dermot Daly’s direction, to tell Luna’s story.
It does feel, at times, like the actors could be even bigger in their delivery (both gestures and vocals) – this is aimed at children after all – and while the opening and closing numbers are catchy, the other songs are ‘nice’ but ultimately forgettable. The concept is great, but there are areas that can be developed further. The production really works when it involves the audience – for example when children are asked to help ‘check in’ the books to the library and count how many books Luna and Dad are taking back to the library – and it feels like more of these moments and maybe a few less songs would be a better overall balance for the production.
But all in all, this is a very cute show for little minds, which has obviously been created with so much love and with themes that are so important. For little ones maybe going through something similar with their parents, it is a great way to help them process the information, highlight the importance of talking and sharing feelings and show that there are also other boys and girls in exactly the same shoes. And for libraries, it’s the perfect and much-needed advertisement. If you don’t already go, use this show as an inspiration to explore what your local library has on offer – there’s usually a whole host of free events for both children and adults, a safe space to read alone or together and friendly librarians, ready to share their advice or recommendations. This show and the original book prove that if Luna loves the library, you can too!
Runs until 22 October 2023
