The tiger may be in his 50’s but he is still charming audiences up and down the country and over Christmas he is bringing a puurrrrfect tea party to Arts Depot in Finchley.
The musical stage adaptation by David Wood OBE brings Judith Kerr’s famous story to life. just as Sophie and her mummy are about to sit down for tea the doorbell rings. Who could it possibly be? What they certainly don’t expect to see is a big, stripy tiger!
Back when Kerr first wrote the tale, many critics understood the tiger to represent the Nazis and the more I watch the show, the more I am inclined to feel the same. But this young Londoner loves it regardless.
The bright orange costume and the panto style moments where we shout in unison ‘He’s behind you!” are entertaining for children whilst the twerking tiger is funny for adults (this feline has some moves under his paws).
There are also magical moments and great stage trickery when food disappears from plates, the orange squash is gulped down and of course lots of simple catchy songs involving ‘yummy yummy sausages, scrum-my scrum-my chips’ where at least half of the auditorium got up to participate and attempt the accompanying moves to the songs.
Sure The Tiger may now be in his 50’s but he’s still full of beans (and biscuits and tea) and he shows no signs of slowing down still very much able to delight audiences with his pleasantly polite presence.
The Tiger Who Came to tea is on at ArtsDepot until Monday 3rd of January and tickets start at £9 per person. More info and booking here.