The Smartest Giant in Town – Little Angel Theatre

Duane Gooden, Lizzie Wort and Gilbert Taylor in The Smartest Giant in Town at the Little Angel Theatre, London. Picture: Ellie Kurttz

The Smartest Giant in Town continues at the Little Angel Theatre, London until 8 August 2021.

Star rating: four stars ★ ★ ★ ★ ✩

This is a sweet and engaging account of the book by Julia Donaldson and Axel Scheffler, probably familiar to every pre-schooler in the room, adapted by Barb Jungr and Samantha Lane (who also directs).

It’s a clean, competent and attractive three-hander but what really lifts it is Jungr’s music. The story (in case you’re not on story sharing terms with any tinies) tells of a scruffy giant who is furnished with smart new clothes which, step by step, he gives away to others in need. Thus, 45 minutes later he’s the kindest giant in town rather than the smartest.

All the lilting, understated music is delightful, complete with harmonies nicely managed by Lizzie Wort, Gilbert Taylor and the giant Duane Gooden, clad in a massive head-encompassing mask which must be very hot to work in.

The best song is cumulative and a causer of earworms thanks to the deceptive simplicity of Donaldson’s rhymes and Jungr’s near one note melody. I left singing “My tie’s a scarf for a cold giraffe”, “My belt helped a dog who was crossing a bog” and more.

Because this is a Little Angel production (in its relatively spacious, airy studio theatre rather than the main house) the puppetry is vey charming. There’s a particularly appealing sequence with a family of mice whose house has burned down.

Wort and Taylor both contribute excellent voice work and lots of smiles when they’re acting as human beings rather than puppeteers.

Susan Elkin