A comforting hug and a sentimental wave to your inner child. A cosy and charming production for all the family.

⭐⭐⭐⭐

press tickets for review

Forever isn’t long at all, but Saturday is even closer… but until then it can be just we, Winnie the Pooh and you! The 100 acre wood is here in Theatre Royal, Nottingham and until 1st July you can join a grand adventure too with Christopher Robin, Winnie the Pooh, Tigger, Piglet, Rabbit, Kanga, Roo and Owl.

This truly is a wonderfully nostalgic show which is as warming as a Pooh bear hug itself and a sentimental wave to your childhood. It’s cosy. It’s beautiful. It’s simply charming.

Now, do keep in mind that this is a family show and with that comes the audience distractions, but I often find that because a family show has constant rustling, crying, laughing, and one word cheers from audience kids (like TIGGER from over half of the audience when the wonderfully bouncy and incredibly energetic Tigger puppet entered stage left) that it actually becomes less distracting than when there are distractions in a show for adults where etiquette should be adhered.

The set is a permanent fixture with the addition of a few on-stage props to help complement the story of the seasons changing throughout the year. It’s a welcoming set design which really brings the iconic 100 acre wood to life, complete with the tree with the honey stash where Pooh bear, of course, got stuck!

The puppets are expertly crafted, perfect for the little ones who will relish in the make believe of it all. My nearly 2-year-old loved seeing them on stage and calling their names out and waving, whilst I enjoyed admiring the sheer craft that went in to them. I thought the voicing was fantastic, close enough for the children to fully believe it and close enough for us adults to start to ‘forget‘ the actual iconic voices. The score will bring you some of your favourite Pooh songs, such as ‘The Wonderful Thing about Tiggers’ and ‘Rumbly in My Tumbly’, both performed wonderfully by the cast.

The storyline moves along enough to keep children interested for the 65 minute no interval production. Winnie the Pooh, Piglet and Tigger spend the most time on stage and just as in the movies, bring a wonderful balance to one another. There’s bees that buzz, a snowman that gets dressed up, a kite that soars and, of course, the meeting of Rabbit, Owl, Roo and Kanga.

The ending is truly lovely and so touching. I can honestly say it brought a tear to my eye, which hit right in the feels after watching Ines be so immersed in the whole thing, getting involved, pointing and waving. She really does love the theatre anyway, but this has been one of her favourites so far and I’m so pleased that it’s a Disney one that she’s loved!

How exciting that Pooh and friends had so many visitors coming to see them from Mrs Winter to Mrs Spring and, perhaps maybe even you might have some honey for Pooh?

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Created and directed by Jonathan Rockefeller
Featuring music by The Sherman Brothers
with additional songs by A.A. Milne