Julia Donaldson, the bestselling author of childhood favourite The Gruffalo has teamed up with award-winning illustrator Lydia Monks and brought their much loved picture book What the Ladybird Heard to the West End stage for summer 2021.
To start with, it felt a little slow. Perhaps it was the hot weather outside or the fact that we had to fork out £25 in parking on a Sunday in Central London. But the show soon picked up and turned into a bundle of fun with original music, songs, imaginative puppetry and captivating actors. So much energy on stage from the cast really brought the piece to life.
The story is of the underdog Ladybird saving the day when Hefty Hugh and Lanky Len plan to steal the farmer’s fine prize cow. Alongside the woolly sheep, the hairy hog, the fat red hen and the dainty dog (all created from makeshift farm tools), the Ladybird and her farmyard crew take on the villains and succeed. The kid was enchanted by the production, giggling in all the right places and clapping enthusiastically at the end. So I guess it is a seal of approval from him.
The show is billed as suitable for ages 3 and above but I think younger audience members would also enjoy this.
It’s fantastic to see one of my most-loved children’s books, What the Ladybird Heard, returning to the stage, both in the West End and around the UK! After such a hard year it’s important that we can provide creative escapism for young children, and this stage show will do just that. I can’t wait to get back to the theatre and see it myself. I believe audiences are in for a treat!
Author Julia Donaldson comments,
What the Ladybird Heard is on at The Palace Theatre until 29th August and tickets during Kids Week can be purchased for £12.50 for an adult and child here.