one4review | On 10, Aug 2025

From the start, we are welcome to join a padded ground so we feel more like we’re on a hillside observing instead of an audience watching a play. This adds a nice element to a show that is aimed at 3-6-year-olds. We open to a strip of green and a few blue washing lines. Then on comes our protagonist, a wordless camper out for a nice quiet time in nature, that is, until he is rudely interrupted by said nature.

Our protagonist comes on stage in a way I’ve never seen before and don’t wish to spoil, but once the tent is set up, there’s a (matching his clothes) deck chair, crossword, solo bat-and-ball, snacks, and everything you need for a quiet day out. Suddenly we are introduced to our antagonist, a sweet little bird, which at first he’s fond of, until both he and the bird have eyes on those snacks. What ensues is a sheer joy to watch unfold.

I must highlight the fantastic stagecraft here: moving clotheslines that represent the sky, nighttime shadow play, and the sound and music that really pull the audience in, children and adults alike. The overall vibe is playful and easy to follow, with no words spoken, delivering a show that you just don’t get in many places. Clear mime, readable gestures and a clothespeg sight gag that will just change every home moving forward. It’s only a shame this show had such a short run at the Fringe!

****

Reviewed by Matthew

Zoo Southside