Little Miss H has always been completely entranced with In the Night Garden. She adores Upsy Daisy and the Tombliboos. And she used to love making Mr H and I join her in the gazebo dance. So I knew that she would be over the moon when we were offered tickets to see In the Night Garden Live.

And she LOVED the show. She was so happy sitting next to her Daddy and watching the performance. Seeing the pure excitement and total joy on her little face is one of my highlights of 2017.

In the Night Garden Live

 

Arrival and venue

Little Miss H couldn’t wait for us to arrive at the venue and for the show to start. From the moment we got in the car she was asking when she was going to see Upsy Daisy and Igglepiggle.

Our performance of In the Night Garden Live was held in the amazing Showdome on Blackheath. This Showdome travels with the production and means that In the Night Garden Live has a bespoke venue that is perfect for parents and children. There are lots of toilets, brilliant baby change facilities and a huge buggy park. And at Blackheath we were lucky enough also to have free parking.

The auditorium has 13 rows of seats so wherever you sit you have a perfect view of the stage. Plus there is room for the children to move around during the performance. Which is great if your children are fidgets like Little Miss H.

But I didn’t have to worry about this as Little Miss H sat still through the whole performance. And so did a newly crawling Little Mister H. From the moment the music started and Derek Jacobi’s voice rang out the children were mesmerised.

The performance

There are two different shows to choose from. Each of them are under an hour (which is the perfect length of time for young children). We went to see the Pinky Ponk show where Makka Pakka washes everyone’s faces.

I have to admit that I was a little sceptical before going. As we were mainly going for the children I doubted that I’d enjoy the performance. But I did! It was magical and very clever.

In the Night Garden Live’s website says:

“See Igglepiggle, Upsy Daisy and Makka Pakka brought to life before your eyes with beautiful costumes, magical puppets, enchanting music, and breathtaking projections that make it feel like you’re actually in the Night Garden.”

And this is so true. The combination of puppetry, costumes and projections is enchanting. I personally loved the scene at the end when the characters all go to bed. I may have let out an audible “awwww” and melted inside.

The puppeteers were on the stage throughout the performance. And I loved the way that they were incorporated into the action. Their facial expressions and actions were dynamic and fitted with the show. I especially enjoyed the way they worked with the Pontipines.

 

Little Miss H’s highlight was seeing Upsy Daisy and she squealed when she appeared. Upsy Daisy danced and sang into her megaphone which delighted Little Miss H. Towards the end all the characters gathered around the gazebo for a dance. And Little Miss H loved being able to join in.

Our verdict

Seeing In the Night Garden Live was a perfect way to spend an afternoon. It is fun and sweet. Both the children adored the performance and sat still for the entire show. It was magical to watch their faces light up as they saw their favourite characters. And I smiled along with them as you can’t help but fall in love with Makka Pakka and his mission to wash all his friend’s faces.

It is a clever production and is truly magical. The venue is perfectly designed for parents and children. The toilets and baby change facilities didn’t even have queues. And all the staff I spoke to were lovely and keen to help in any way they could.

There’s still plenty of time to buy tickets and see In the Night Garden Live during the summer. The inflatable Showdome will be popping up at these venues:

Cannon Hill Park, BIRMINGHAM: 12 – 30 July

intu Trafford Centre, MANCHESTER: 5 – 28 August

You can also arrange to meet one of the characters and add a fabulous goody bag to your order.

If you are going to see In the Night Garden Live this summer then have a fabulous time. I promise that you’ll love it. It is magical!

Hugs

Lucy

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Disclaimer:

We were sent tickets to see In the Night Garden Live for the purpose of this review. But as normal, all photographs, words and opinions are my own.