Junior Reviews: Spare Parts Puppet Theatre, On Our Beach ⋅
Spare Parts Puppet Theatre, September 25 ⋅
Reviews by Isabel and Eddy Greentree ⋅

Isabel Greentree (age 9)

Usually when you go to the theatre you expect to sit down and only watch the show. But not with this unique and amazing performance. Get ready to make towel sculptures, have selfies and get buried by a tsunami. Grab your towel and enjoy some beachy fun!

On Our Beach starts by asking each audience member to create an identity card and go through pest control, getting sprayed and scrubbing yourself clean. Take some crazy selfies of beachy scenes, then walk through an undersea tunnel with slimy rock pools and seaweed scents. Set your towels on the soft surface and wait for the performance to begin.

Directed by Philip Mitchell and performed by Tani Walker, Shona Mae and Rebecca Bradley, the show kept the audience entertained for the whole hour. People laughed a lot and kids enjoyed being able to move around the stage during the performance.

The three performers sang, danced and interacted with puppets and the audience, making a series of beach scenes. Cheeky FOMO the dog kept sneaking onto the beach. My favourite part was when the tsunami rolled onto the stage and we slid around in all the balls and threw them at each other.

The lighting was very effective, using disco balls and spotlights to create shimmering patterns on the walls and roof. Glowing beach balls thrown by the actors to the audience kept everyone entertained. The music was energetic and the performers were really good singers.

At the end you get to sit in seats under beach umbrellas and watch the final dance. The show was entertaining and funny, not only because the actors were good but because we could interact with the performance. I wish I could go and see it again!

Eddy Greentree (age 7)

The show was about having fun at the beach.

There were lots of surprises like Fomo the dog sneaking onto the beach and a tsunami that we played in.

My favourite parts were taking the sneaky way onto the stage through the tunnel and getting covered with balls during the tsunami.

The actors were fun and they were really good at moving the sea creature puppets.

If you want to go to the beach and do some surfing then you should go to this show!

Big kids, little kids and grown ups will all enjoy it.

On Our Beach continues until October 12. Read our senior review by Ros Appleby.

Photo: Jessica Wyld