Bear Snores On – Regent’s Park Open Air Theatre

Ashley D Gayle, Ashh Blackwood and Lauren Conroy in Bear Snores On at the Regent’s Park Open Air Theatre, London. Picture: Marc Brenner 

Bear Snores On at the Regent’s Park Open Air Theatre, London until 21 April 2024.

Star rating: five stars ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

This show, written and directed by Cush Jumbo and Katy Sechiari, is one of the most original and imaginative entertainments for under-sevens that I’ve seen for a long time.

We start on the picnic lawn where Ashley D Gayle as the gardener (he later reappears as the eponymous Bear) potters about with rakes and brushes while regaling his excited young audience with his hatred of animals who, among other things, steal his lunch – popping up around him to the audience’s delight.

Then Mouse (Lauren Conroy), diminutive, nimble, frightened of both man and cat and homeless, leads us across the grass and the magic starts.

Designer Rebecca Brower has excelled herself with a long, leafy, tea-light-lit tunnel which leads into a dome-shaped cave – common sense and many visits to the Open Air Theatre suggest that this is built on or near the Open Air Theatre stage but suspend disbelief and it’s like entering an another, pretty immersive world with lots of mysterious ultra-violet light.

Mouse quickly realises that there are some very loud noises in her newfound sanctuary – because it is occupied by a hibernating bear who – the clue is in the title – snores on.

Joined by three other animals, she gradually comes to terms with her fear of the bear. Ultimately this charming, intelligent show is a celebration of friendship, kindness and the vanquishing of loneliness.

Harry Blake’s score which he also directs – is accessibly fit for purpose and most of this talented cast sing well. Albert Graver as Raven and Wren is a rubber-bodied rapper with a lovely sense of comic timing. He also gives us a quick burst on saxophone at one point although the music is otherwise pre-recorded.

Ashh Blackwood is great fun and good value as Hare – the arctic variety with a deliciously pompous passion for exploration. As Badger, Annabel Marlow has a lovely line in comic, rueful expressions, and they all work entertainingly together.

It was a pity that, at the press performance I attended, there was a technical hitch which stopped the show at its most climactic moment but actually, it was sorted in a few minutes and I don’t think it spoiled anyone’s enjoyment. These things happen.

In the event it meant that I got to to admire the inspired use of Samuel Barber’s ‘Adagio for Strings’ to connote fear and drama twice rather than once.

This show is definitely one for the creatives to feel proud of and which you and your young children should catch if you possibly can.

Susan Elkin