one4review | On 03, Aug 2024

Developed by the Suitcase Storytelling Company, Grow takes young audiences and their families on an extraordinary theatrical journey. Returning with their vibrant tribute to nature in this updated version of Niall Moorjani’s 2023 hit, the company is best known for its award-winning production The Girl and the Dragon. Featuring splashy colours and witty humour, Grow is sure to take your youngest children on a delightful ride through the magic of gardening. The stage is a tiny allotment, complete with a lush green landscape, gardening supplies, and picnic bunting. This attention to detail and colourful set design is a feast for the eyes.

The show opens with a comedy of errors as our two gardeners try to organise their pots; this frantically goes awry and sets the tone for the charming performance we’re about to experience. We quickly discover that we have a gardener in training and must help them learn how to be their very best with the help of some fantastic call and response with the audience, visits from likely woodland creatures, and some charming songs about patience and nature.

Children are taken on a wonderful little journey about the ups and downs of growing. For parents and guardians, we’ll enjoy the opportunity later to remind our little ones how things take time and attention to help them grow, and as much as we would all love everything here and now, sometimes we have to relax and let nature take its course.

A highlight is the amount of audience interaction, inviting children to dance and chant along to the seed dance, encouraging them to join in the ‘sun song’ and helping them learn the joy of nurturing life and we all become invested in the story’s outcome.

There are themes here of nature, community, growth and patience that all families will relate to and enjoy. Grow is a heartwarming show that will captivate children from start to finish. The age listing of 2-6 is spot-on here and the team behind this understand what this age group and their adults are looking for with the length of the performance feeling just right. Educational whilst also extremely entertaining, Grow will leave the whole family with a warm feeling and a seed in their heart.

*****

Reviewed by Matthew

Scottish Storytelling Centre – Netherbow Theatre

Until 25th Aug (not 9, 14, 19 or 21)

10.30 (35mins)