Elmer The Patchwork Elephant Show – Review

This week we were invited to see Elmer the Patchwork Elephant Show, based on the classic children’s book series by David McKee. You’re in for a treat when you meet Elmer the Patchwork Elephant. He’s bright, colourful, fun and he keeps making everyone laugh. But when the herd need to get on with serious elephant business Elmer is left on his own. Elmer goes in search of something… but he’s not sure what he’s looking for.

Along the way Elmer meets green frogs, a giraffe and a lion who love the colour yellow, some very cheeky monkeys who just love the colour red and a pair of black and white zebra. Elmer still can’t help feeling blue… until he comes up with a plan to blend in with the herd. Even when Elmer is in disguise, he just can’t help showing his true colours.

Elmer The Patchwork Elephant Show is full of songs, expertly performed by the fantastic puppeteers. The songs are very memorable and we loved the frog’s “Go Green Go!” song. We were singing, “Be a rainbow, be a star,” all the way out of the auditorium. The puppets really bring David McKee’s original illustrations to life on the stage, especially the lion who really looks like he walked straight out of the pages of the Elmer books. By the end of the show Mr 3 was up out of his seat and dancing in the aisle for the Elephant Parade.

Elmer The Patchwork Elephant Show is the perfect introduction to theatre for young children and is suitable for all ages (recommended up to 7 years old). The bright, bold set and puppets tell a positive story that it’s what’s inside that counts and the importance of being yourself.

Elmer The Patchwork Elephant Show is touring in theatres across the UK with dates at the Hertford Theatre in February and ArtsDepot London in April. Visit Elmer The Show website for a full list of tour dates.

 

Disclosure: we received complimentary tickets to Elmer the Patchwork Elephant Show so that I could write an honest review. The words and opinions are all my own.