The Tiger Who Came to Tea, Theatre Royal Haymarket, review ★★★★★
Judith Kerr's evergreen fable comes to life with music and new characters
Sophie and unexpected guest in The Tiger Who Came to Tea. Photo: Pamela Raith
Spare a thought for actor Benjamin Stone. On the hottest day in London so far this year, he went on stage in a giant orange and black fur costume… and danced. Now that’s heroic, but he also played a silly milkman, a daft postman and dotty Daddy in David Wood’s engaging musical adaptation of Judith Kerr’s The Tiger Who Came to Tea. If anyone deserves tea, it is surely him.
Discerning theatregoer Joseph, aged four, declared that he 'liked the funny man best', which is gratifying for Stone, but added: 'I was hoping it might be a real tiger.' Not so gratifying for Stone, after probably losing several kilos in one afternoon inside that striped oven.
Anyone familiar with this favourite picture-book story will find this children’s entertainment follows the plot faithfully, while adding all sorts of tricks and devices to keep young minds occupied, such as reading the clock as the household day ticks on until the arrival of the perpetually hungry visitor.
Get more food! Photo: Pamela Raith
Wood, who also directs, keeps the whole thing moving along, with bright little songs from musical supervisor Peter Pontzen.
Abbey Norman makes a suitably excitable Sophie, the little girl thrilled at having a tiger drop in for tea, and Jenanne Redman is a warm and likeable Mummy, increasingly exasperated as all the food disappears in Susie Caulcutt’s brightly-designed kitchen.
In short, it’s a roaring success, and a treat for small people of all ages.
Further morning and afternoon performances are on most days until 1 Sept. Children under three go free on parent's lap. Click here for booking
Discerning theatregoer Joseph, aged four, declared that he 'liked the funny man best', which is gratifying for Stone, but added: 'I was hoping it might be a real tiger.' Not so gratifying for Stone, after probably losing several kilos in one afternoon inside that striped oven.
Anyone familiar with this favourite picture-book story will find this children’s entertainment follows the plot faithfully, while adding all sorts of tricks and devices to keep young minds occupied, such as reading the clock as the household day ticks on until the arrival of the perpetually hungry visitor.
Get more food! Photo: Pamela Raith
Wood, who also directs, keeps the whole thing moving along, with bright little songs from musical supervisor Peter Pontzen.
Abbey Norman makes a suitably excitable Sophie, the little girl thrilled at having a tiger drop in for tea, and Jenanne Redman is a warm and likeable Mummy, increasingly exasperated as all the food disappears in Susie Caulcutt’s brightly-designed kitchen.
In short, it’s a roaring success, and a treat for small people of all ages.
Further morning and afternoon performances are on most days until 1 Sept. Children under three go free on parent's lap. Click here for booking
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| What | The Tiger Who Came to Tea, Theatre Royal Haymarket, review |
| Where | Theatre Royal Haymarket, 18 Suffolk Street, London, SW1Y 4HT | MAP |
| Nearest tube | Piccadilly Circus (underground) |
| When |
08 Jul 24 – 01 Sep 24, Two or three performances most days. Running time 55min without interval |
| Price | £10-£30.50; free for under-3s |
| Website | Click here for details and booking |