What The Ladybird Heard, Lyric Theatre ★★★★★

Prepare yourselves for one of the most endearing and engaging pieces of children’s theatre this summer, as Julia Donaldson’s much-loved picture book What the Ladybird Heard – second in popularity only to her classic The Gruffalo – takes wing in a witty and wonderful live production at the Lyric Theatre.

The plot, which many tiny audience members know inside-out, is simple and effective. A farmer leads a happy life on his charming farm, with a menagerie of animals for company. But misfortune strikes when two naughty robbers, Hefty Hugh and Lanky Len, plan a heist around his prize heifer. Will the farmer and his animal companions be able to foil their cunning plan? More importantly, will the silent but watchful little ladybird be willing to help?

The story is brought to life by a multitalented cast of four. The actors bring infectious, genuine enthusiasm to the show, along with well honed and genuinely funny comedy: from silly voices to slapstick, their antics leave audience members of all ages – including parents – giggling uncontrollably. Emma Carroll was a standout as Farmer Lily, singing, dancing and playing the flute to provide a soundtrack to the flutterings of the ladybird. The effort that has gone into choreographing the cast is obvious: every jump, joke and jingle is delivered with meticulous comic timing.

The play’s set and staging are also excellent. Lydia Monks’s bright and textured illustrations in the original book are clearly the main inspiration behind Bek Palmer’s set, which quite literally home-grown. In front of an amazed audience and amid many 'oohs' and 'aahs', actors construct each of their animal cast members out of bits and bobs on stage. A football, blanket, and pair of handlebars make for a very convincing sheep, while the spout of a watering can is transformed into the long neck of a gabbling goose. The Ladybird’s staging is impressively mobile and tactile from start to finish, featuring puppets, light-shows and sound effects galore.

What the Ladybird Heard runs slightly long at around 55 minutes – by the 45-minute mark, many younger audience members may have had enough. Nevertheless, in virtually every other respect, it is a delight for children and parents alike.