As a child, my Disney-inspired view of wild animals made this story seem believable. The idea of having a cute penguin as a pet, even if just for a short while, would be a dream come true.

This childhood fantasy is at the heart of Mr Popper’s Penguins. Mr Popper (Will Kelly) is one of those ever-lasting dreamers who never grows up. He earns his living painting and decorating while day dreaming about life in the Antarctic. For Mr Popper, life is all books and imagination until one day an unusual parcel arrives making his dream a reality when out pops a fully-grown, live penguin he names, Captain Cook. Now the new visitor has arrived the cosy town of Stillwater is about to feel some ripples.

Sensible Mrs Popper (Monica Nash) has all kinds of objections at first, not least to do with keeping the house neat and tidy. But soon too she is won over by the cute little guy’s mischief and all normal rules are relaxed, particularly around table manners.

A second parcel brings Captain Cook a mate, and soon there are tiny chicks everywhere. The chaos that ensues has the youngsters in hysterics and the adults wondering if having a penguin family is much different from their own children as the little ones turn all their routines upside-down, bringing both joy and sleep deprivation.

The creation of this unlikely family is a heart-warming story that originated as a children’s book by Richard and Florence Atwater and later won Hollywood movie success with zany Jim Carry as Mr Popper.

The musical version sticks closely to the book for the story, driving the narrative with original tunes by Luke Bateman and Richy Hughes and giving a comical nod to big Broadway musicals like The Producers, particularly in some even more wildly imaginative final scenes.

At one-hour straight through the time whizzes by. And while this tightly-directed production leaves no room for interaction from the youngsters, the audience do get to join-in a penguin dance for a cool finale that can’t fail to warm the spirits.

Mr Popper’s Penguins is at Waterside, Sale from 27 November to 31 December 2019. Cookies and milk packs are available to pre-order along with your tickets for an extra £2.50 each for all shows.

Read our interview with director, Emma Earle.

The post Mr Popper’s Penguins: Review appeared first on Quays Life.

The show’s director and Co-Artistic Director of Pins and Needles Productions, Emma Earle tells us more…

It’s great to have you back at Waterside for your third Christmas show. What is it about this venue that works so well for you?
Emma: “We love the audiences at Waterside and enjoy being at the venue as much as we hope they enjoy the shows! The team at Waterside are also very helpful and friendly and all our casts have said how much they enjoyed their stay in Sale”.

Is the slumber show an idea from your company or is it from Waterside? How does it work
Emma: “It is something the venue has done for the past few Christmas shows and it is a lovely idea. Children – and adults too – are invited to come in their PJs and bring a favourite bedtime teddy to the 6pm Slumber Shows to make their theatre experience a real bedtime treat! Cookies and milk are also available to purchase”.

The 2011 film of Mr Popper’s Penguins, starring Jim Carrey, was only loosely based on Richard and Florence Atwater’s original book. For people who have read the book and/or seen the film, how does the stage show compare?
Emma: “Our adaptation is very much based on the original book, rather than the movie. Upon reading the book, we felt the story lent itself brilliantly to being reimagined on the stage. Our take on Mr Popper’s character for instance is really different to the 2011 film. In our adaptation he’s a shambolic but loveable house painter instead of a work obsessed business man with no time for his family”.

What were the challenges of bringing Mr Popper’s Penguins to the stage?
Emma: “Our biggest challenge was how to present a family of 10 penguins (8 children and two parents) on stage with only four performers!”

Can you tell us a bit about the puppets used in the show?
Emma: “We worked with Nick Barnes who designed and made the puppets to ensure that Mr and Mrs Popper feel over-run by penguins. It’s a logistical and choreographic feat!”

What is the music like in the show? Is it a musical?
“The show is a musical! Full of catchy songs and punchy lyrics, written by Luke Bateman and Richy Hughes. The cast all sing live on stage, it gives a wonderful feel to the performance”.

Is this the same production that was seen in New York?
Emma: “Yes. The show was performed at the Criterion Theatre in New York which is off Broadway. It is the same production direct from New York and the West End!”

What age range is the show aimed at?
Emma: “The show is aimed at 3-11 years but really we think that it is a show that the whole family can enjoy!”

Is there any audience interaction?
Emma: “There isn’t any audience interaction in this show”.

Have you changed anything to make it a Christmas show?
Emma: “We haven’t made any changes to the production to make it more Christmassy. It already works really well at this time of year because of our lovable, leading characters (penguins) and a snowy feeling. You can certainly expect hummable tunes, mischievous animal puppets and lots of Christmassy warmth”.

Mr Popper’s Penguins from Waterside Arts on Vimeo.

Mr Popper’s Penguins is at Waterside, Sale from 27 November to 31 December 2019. Cookies and milk packs are available to pre-order along with your tickets for an extra £2.50 each for all shows.

Read our review of Mr Popper’s Penguins.

The post Cute penguins bring a white Christmas to Waterside Sale appeared first on Quays Life.