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A delightful wholesome show perfect for little ones

The Owl Who Came for Christmas at Curve Theatre in Leicester is a heartwarming and christmassy children’s show that is wholesome and delightful for young children. If a Christmas show that brings zero jump scares and instead is loaded with christmassy warmth is your kind of show, then this is for you. It’s a delightful show perfect for the little ones.

The story opens in the midst of a Christmas tree farm with a trio of friendly festive animals, the reindeer, the fox, and the squirrel. Plus, not forgetting Rosie, the puppet owl.

Rosie, an endearing character, inspired by a true story, is far from home and yearns for the forest. The narrative follows the family’s efforts to save Rosie and return her to her natural habitat. It’s a story of togetherness, and Christmas values.

The production, adapted for the stage by Curve’s Creative Programmes Practitioner Chandni Mistry and directed by Cara Nolan, offers a cosy one-hour theatre experience – with no interval so get your snacks and toilet breaks in first!

The show is tailored for families and although pegged as suitable for children aged 3 and above, it really is a show that any young child can access. The incorporation of chirpy songs and friendly, calm characters keeps the children engaged, making it an enjoyable experience for all. I really could see this performance being popular as a 6pm CBeebies show… parents, you know what I’m talking about, right!

There’s also a scene or two that the grown-ups will get a laugh out of – particularly those with Bruce and Lee. They brought an excellent level of slapstick humour that children found amusing, but also with daft humour that us adults had no choice but to chuckle along with. I felt Camille Burnett and Oliver Stanley were truly fabulous throughout seamlessly taking on various roles and personas.

The absence of any scary scenes ensures a comfortable and enjoyable experience for toddlers, and a perfect theatre option for SEMH or SEND children, supported by all performances being “relaxed performances”, meaning parents can give their child the social story beforehand and the use of a quiet space.

A noteworthy feature is the post-show experience where children can enter a charming grotto adorned with festive decorations to meet Rosie, the Owl. This thoughtful addition is a welcoming touch and is included with the ticket. The children were also provided with a really good quality colouring book too, which was a lovely touch.

There are moments that tug at the heartstrings… well they did for me! The touching scene of Rosie flying off home will resonate with both children and adults, evoking genuine emotions which is thanks to the innocence and warmth that Annabelle Terry emits. There was a wonderful authentic feeling of mother-daughter relationship between Terry and Mary Bonam which was beautiful and a credit to both performances. Seeing my daughters little face giving a wave and a soft-spoken “goodbye Rosie” had silent tears fall from my eyes.

The Owl Who Came for Christmas at Curve Theatre is a delightful production that successfully brings the story to life and captures the spirit of the value of Christmas and togetherness.

Curve Theatre, Leicester
Until SAT 6 JAN 2024

press tickets for review