Paper Dolls at the New Wolsey studio in Ispwich.

Another day, another theatre.  

This time we were at New Wolsey studio in Ispwich, for an early years homeed group trip to Paper Dolls, based on the story by Julia Donaldson and Rebecca Cobb.

The illustrations hugely influence this production, featuring the paper dolls (Ticky and Tacky and Jackie the Backie, Jim with two noses and Jo with the bow)  exactly as you know them from the book. Familiar songs join with the theme of the story, giving the young audience chance to join in – Row row row your boat complete with scary crocodile a particular hit!

Scary moments, happy and sad – it’s all there. Tigerboy absolutely loved it, and if Smallest gets better in time, we’ll try to squeeze in a trip for her too. (She was supposed to go today, but didn’t feel well enough.) 

I was sad she missed out, I think she would have very much enjoyed the production. At the same time, it was lovely to be able to focus on a trip out with just Tigerboy, who is very good company when he is on his own, and so you can head off any distractions before he gets well stuck in 😉 He sat cuddled up to me throughout the production, head resting on my arm, and talked, but quietly, about what was going on. He’s ever so observant too, noticing the houses dangling from the ceiling as houses long before they were lit up.

  

The show is kind of minimal in setting – just two actors/ puppeteers and their props and puppets, which are very like the illustrations. I assume they were custom made – I would love a Rosie doll puppet like the one in use. I also love how such simple things as a scarf gives so much to the story – particularly the blue sea.

It is beautifully designed, lit and performed, and I really do hope that Smallest gets better before the run ends,as I’d love to see it again 😉

    

More details at The Theatre website here and a wonderful guardian article about how the play came to be.

Disclosure – none required, bought and paid for 🙂