Tales of Acorn Wood – Liverpool Playhouse

Writer: Julia Donaldson

Adaptor: NLP Ltd

Music: Miles Russell

Director: Brad Fitt

Donaldson and Scheffler’s delightful book collection ‘Tales of Acorn Wood,’ celebrated its 20^th anniversary in 2020, which makes me wonder why it took so long for them to reach the stage! But following suit of their other children’s classics such as The Gruffalo and Zog, the lift the flap book collection finally had it’s world stage premiere this month and I managed to find it in Liverpool Playhouse this half term, along side Fox’s missing socks!

The production had a very gentle start, with the performers introducing our little ones to the concept of puppets, with flying dragon flies, birds and insects softly soaring above the stalls. The puppets where hung low enough for the front rows of the stalls to softly stroke as the remaining audience members took their seats. This was a much welcomed introduction to a show for such little ones, after what can be a challenge to get them into town and in their seats!

The team of four performers work well together, swapping between narrator and puppeteer. The constant use of puppets, even to clocks and flies, is in keeping with the style and is a joy to watch. The design and production of the puppets by Deborah Mingham are a perfect 4D experience of Scheffler’s illustrated characters.

The set design by Ian Westbrook is perfectly simple for our young audiences too! With 4 openings in the back drop to act as the beloved lift the flaps. Thankfully these all stayed on, unlike most parents copies at home when little hands become overly excited! This coupled with projection and graphic design by Louise Rhoades-Brown, onto the back drop to display the familiar illustrations, really did transport us into the book and brought it to life.

We hear all four of the tales from Post man Bear, Rabbits Nap, Fox’s Socks and Hide and Seek Pig, and some speedy costume changes from the puppets! And in between each one we are invited to stand up, dance and shake off some energy, and join in singing ‘Tales of Acorn Wood,’ a repetitive and catchy tune which we were singing for the rest of the day! Which again was needed for our little ones to keep the focus.

This production most definitely was pitched to a slightly younger audience than other Donaldson and Scheffler adaptations, and quite rightly so, as the lift the flap book collection is also pitched there too. However, both my one and four year old were captivated and engaged the entire 50 minutes. It is a beautiful adaptation and introduction to theatre for little ones.

Runs until: 15^th April 2024