Review: Me…, Little Angel Theatre

Little Angel Theatre’s seasonal show for the very young this year sees the return of a sure-fire favourite. Full of feathers and frost, Me… is a gorgeous adaptation of Emma Dodd’s delightful picture book tailored for an audience aged 2-5 years, which will have them giggling and gasping in equal measure.

It’s a cold, fresh day as a mummy penguin sits over her hatching egg. Suddenly, out pops a baby penguin that is absolutely the cutest thing – fluffy and adorable (cue the gasps of awe!). We follow along as he bumbles across the ice, finding his first steps and exploring his place in the world with curiosity, bravery and a touch of vulnerability.

The delivery of this lovely story is as clear as the chilly Antarctic air, making it ideal for the 2-5 age range. The show’s success undoubtedly stems from simplicity, as it distils experiences – describing enchanting, sensory atmospheres using minimal language but alongside fabulous music, visuals and humour in an often comical adventure. Beyond that though, Me… creates a distinct space where empathy tangibly thrives through the storytelling, which is a wonderful thing to convey.

Puppeteer Clarke Edwards does a dexterous job of characterising our tiny avian protagonist, sensitively capturing all the emotions of a young thing who is conscious that the world is big and they are small, but is nonetheless awed by the wonder of it; keen to learn about and embrace what it has to offer. There’s much fun to be had as the little penguin playfully slides and slips, and the young audience joyfully laugh out loud. But there are also moments of vulnerability that give balance and tension, making us care for the little penguin and invest in his stakes. The baby penguin quickly counts a hundred other penguins nearby – connecting with the audience in his numbering as he looks out into their space, and it’s a lovely moment as we realise that although potentially insignificant in his smallness, he is in fact safe as part of a large community.

Jimmy Grimes’ puppet design sees a supremely squishy baby bird, full of the fluff of youth – you just want to cuddle him! He sits perfectly alongside the beautiful, more realistic adult birds. Edwards’ capable manipulation sees them climb icy obstacles, grunting with effort, or gracefully glide through the glacial ocean, trailing bubbles in a delightful detail that draws gasps from children and adults alike.

At times there’s a graceful fluidity in the motion that follows the curves of Simon Plumridge’s elegant set design, which wraps the stage in icy slopes. Whilst giving a sense of containing our penguin safely in his home space, there’s also a backwards reach to the set that successfully suggests the vastness of Antarctica. Stark white glaciers again a dark backdrop frame some visually impressive moments as the glowing sun and moon rotate, or flurries of snowflakes drift magically through the air, sending thrills through the audience.

Throughout, the story is underscored with a superb soundtrack from Arran Glass that perfectly captures the emotional journey of the little penguin, making it all the more relatable for the audience.

This is a lovely, sensitive production that explores ideas of one’s place in the world, of recognising self-worth and the understanding of hugely unconditional love for a small person, all wrapped up in a (security) blanket of snow. It’s an absolutely perfect first theatre trip for the very young that will melt your heart, and ideal for the Christmas season.

Written by Emma Dodd
Directed by Samantha Lane
Set designed by Simon Plumridge
Puppets designed by Jimmy Grimes
Music composed by Arran Glass
Lighting Designed by Luis Alvarez

Me… is aimed at ages 2-5 years and runs at Little Angel Theatre until Sunday 25 January.