The key to a great kids show is simply to create a great production that works on all levels and appeals to everyone regardless of the age bracket it's aimed at. Touring company Unpacked have achieved this admirably with Jumping Mouse, an energetic and fun-filled, hour-long show that's inspiring, entertaining and will capture the imagination of adults and small brats alike.
Jumping Mouse is adapted from a native American folk tale and tells the story of mouse ‘247B', the moniker assigned to one particularly curious mouse from a group of less adventurous fellow rodents who reside aboard one of the old classic hop on - hop off Routemaster buses, now sadly missed from the streets of London.
After meeting Martin, a boy on his way to school, Jumping Mouse (as his name eventually becomes) realises there's a bigger world out there than he initially realised.
Filled with an urge to go exploring and discover the mysterious ‘roaring' he's heard about and strongly senses, he has to overcome various misperceptions about the world, separate fact from fiction, reach journey's end and discover who he really is.
It's essentially a morality tale about having the courage to ignore the naysayers, get out there and discover your own truths and fulfil your potential. In this overly pampered, protected and anaesthetised-by-TV era it's a pretty good message to convey to impressionable youngsters.
The four members of the cast perform with great gusto and conviction employing various skills and techniques to full effect - puppetry, slapstick, music, song and dance. What really caught my attention was the creative use of everyday objects as props - car tyres, stepladders, pencils and an old box transform into a bus engine, a flock of birds or a geographical feature.
It's an interactive show so sit your kids down the front so they can get splashed with water, rained on with torn paper or ‘attacked' by a hungry child-eating wolf.
It was great to see the kids so thoroughly enjoying themselves and occasionally involve themselves and for one peculiar unplanned magical moment near the end of the show, they all spontaneously stood up together and mimicked the actions of the performers as they tried to grab the dry ice in the air as it filled the stage. There's also a cracking song and dance by a very tired, old and confused Bison.
All in all, Jumping Mouse is refreshing tonic that will leave you with a smile on your face and hopefully give your kids a thirst for knowledge and adventure.
Times: until 31 August (not 17), 11.30am. Then touring.