We are very lucky and get to go to the theatre to review for the blog a lot. I am engaged with theatre in a way that I might not be had I not studied at a drama school and I feel it is so important to introduce children to the genre very early on. Mine have both been going since they were very tiny and I know that they get something from it which far exceeds lots of other forms of children’s entertainment, I want to shout about this because I know how much they gain from it.

We go to local theatre companies (which are brilliant), big West End shows (seriously, think Florence might have been the youngest person ever to see ‘Wicked’ when she was just 3) and also we like to see what I call ‘mid range shows’. These are productions with big West End presence but aimed at a smaller audience. I love these for different reasons to the way I champion small theatre’s work because they are a real introduction to proper theatre. They are also something that appeals to the masses which is great because they give children who wouldn’t ordinarily be taken to the theatre, the chance to go.

Something which seems to be increasingly popular in this field, is the adaption of favourite children’s books to the stage. On the whole I think they are done very well indeed. I’m talking about ‘little books’, the types we read to our toddlers (and up) which last 5 minutes and send them off to sleep at night, the ones which become their favourites and dictate their birthday party themes, bedroom curtains and excel their ‘imaginary play’. We’ve seen some pretty good ones in the past and although I love them, I feel sad that when their age dictates, they will no longer be interested in those creations. They are usually so well thought out, artistically beautiful and contain scores which are so masterful I wonder why the song writers aren’t releasing everything on iTunes and I often think they should make something more of them…

Today we saw something that did all of what I love in this genre while sticking to the main story but digressing in just the right way! ‘Aliens Love Underpants’ is a much favoured book among the small people of Britain. I’m not sure I’ve met a child who isn’t a fan. There are many different books in the collection which perhaps helps when translating to stage but as far as my knowledge goes they are aimed at younger ones. The stage show, and it is a show, is definitely more extensive and invites little fans along with much older siblings to join in with song, story and laughter! It is, and I know I say this a lot (thank goodness we have such wonderful children’s theatre and I can) absolutely wondeful!

The story is engaging, the songs are fun and original and the four main performers (plus a super entertaining set man) are every bit as professional (and talented of course) as the actors and actresses seen on London’s BIG West End stages. Florence was caught from the second it was off and she was thoroughly involved in the audience participation too. The story does digress and for that it incorporates an older audience without ‘alienating’ (‘scuse the pun) their younger fans.

We thought it was simply wonderful, the perfect summer holiday treat and well worth the ticket price for children up to the age of around 12. Yes, 12! Funny, engaging and with extremely creative set design and theatre management. A lovely show which is well worth a catch before it’s back to school! There are aloso a fair few ‘over their head’ jokes for us parents which is always welcome and with pants as the topic of course, what one would hope for!

Do go and see it, we loved it and we think you will too!

My two were extremely excited to see the show which they enjoyed thoroughly and were even more pleased at me saying ‘yes’ to the not terribly over priced merchandise of £3.50 each for a felt Alien stick to wave!

For more information and to buy tickets which are on sale until 31st August for the Leicester Square Theatre, please see www.underpantslive.com.

We were sent complimentary tickets for the purpose of an honest review.

We were given complimentary tickets in return for an honest review.

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