Russell Morton, Toby Manley and Lucy Grattan in Mr Popper’s Penguins at the arts depot and Touring. Picture: Helen Murray
Mr Popper’s Penguins was reviewed at the artsdepot, London. Its tour continues at the Festival Theatre, Chichester (until 11 December) before a Christmas season at the Criterion Theatre in the West End from 15-31 December.
Star rating: four stars:★ ★ ★ ★ ✩
The Christmas season is well and truly upon us with ten delightful penguins briefly making their home at the arts depot alongside the cast of Mr Popper’s Penguins.
Adapted from a children’s book by Richard and Florence Atwater, Mr Popper’s Penguins has all the ingredients of a children’s adventure.
The story follows Mr Popper as he imagines life in the jungle, in battles across the seas and, his favourite, journeys across the Antarctic alongside penguins.
Much to his (and the audience’s) delight, his dreams are answered and he receives a special gift: his first penguin, all ready to live with him in London.
The design of the show, fresh from the mind of Zoe Squire, is magical, and the cast’s ensemble work is fluid and seamless as they whisk the audience around the world.
The principal penguins take shape as two animated puppets, designed by Nick Barnes, and the unveiling of each penguin made every child in the audience gasp.
Directed by Emma Earle, Mr Popper’s Penguins is filled with wonderful moments of physical theatre and the playful style of the ensemble is the perfect fit for the young audience.
The score, created by composer Luke Bateman and lyricist Richy Hughes, is light and fun, and the adaptation from Pins and Needles Productions is delightful.
Russell Morton gives a charming performance as the loveable Mr Popper and Roxanne Palmer, Lucy Grattan and Toby Manley act, sing and puppeteer with ease. All the artists deserve praise for their storytelling, which is spot on.
The true critics of the show were the children surrounding me who were awestruck throughout. Several of them gasped at each discovery of a new penguin, and there was a raucous cry of wonderment as snow fell from the ceiling and into their laps.
Mr Popper’s Penguins is the perfect family show this Christmas and is great fun for all the family. The show is bursting with character and to watch a penguin somersault and defy gravity is a treat.
Lucy Beirne
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