Review: Puffling Percy, Little Angel Theatre

On a searingly hot summer day, what better place to spend an hour with the children than by the sea with songs, seabirds and storytelling? Puffling Percy, playing at Little Angel Theatre as part of their Children’s Puppetry Festival 2026, is exactly the show to bring a breath of fresh air. 

Even before the play starts the young audience are entranced by little birds popping their heads out of the birdhouse centre stage. The fun then really begins as we meet our storyteller, a lady that cares for lost and injured birds, who notices immediately we’ve all turned into a flock of seabirds and helps us identify the right movements and squawks for our many different types. She’s played by the amazing Harriette Ashcroft who, with the help of talented puppeteers Alicia Britt and Iris Schmidt, relates the adventures of a baby puffin – or more correctly, a puffling – called Percy. 

Percy enjoys living in his burrow. He’s comfortable, looked after by his parents, Map and Pap. Soon, however, the time comes for the flock to migrate – parents first, followed by youngsters, heading for the light of the moon. Percy is anxious and doesn’t want to go, but when everyone sets off without him he must overcome his fears and catch them up, assisted by his brave fieldmouse friend, Shrimp.

With delightful storytelling, live music and innovative, crafted puppetry, this is a wonderfully family-friendly production. The trio effortlessly engage the children and their adults in simple interactive movements, while enchanting songs, composed by Ashcroft and performed live by the three performers, give texture to the tale throughout, evoking the sea or adding a thrill to the hazardous journey the puppet friends undertake. With positive messages all round, we see how friendship can evolve and how bravery takes different forms.

The show is visually lovely throughout, but especially the puppets, exquisitely designed by Britt and all playfully characterised. These include a colourful Percy and adorable Shrimp who are performed dexterously – seamlessly crossed between the puppeteers at times to keep the action fluid. At one point the puppets have the audience literally gasping as they fly out above them. Shrimp is particularly appealing, with his fluffy fur, big round ears and bendy body. He speeds across the stage as if by magic, disappearing from one place only to appear elsewhere, totally capturing the spirit of a mouse. If only there were two of him…! Map and Pap feature as enormous puffin beaks, cleverly suggesting adult birds, with the illusion completed using huge eyes on hats. Meanwhile, a sneaky cat brings excitement as another of the perils Percy faces.  

Set design by Amelia Pimlott is enormously flexible, allowing us to move quickly from sanctuary to burrow and even to a lighthouse. And a nod must go to the clever lighting design, which discreetly transitions the audience from introduction to darkened performance without abrupt change, which might otherwise be difficult for some youngsters.

Interesting facts about wildlife are gently woven in, provoking curiosity without ever being overly didactic. We learn what puffins eat, about migratory patterns and about how they use their instinct to return to their burrows every year. And to cap it off, we’re told that the story was inspired by the real Mousehole Wild Bird Hospital in, Cornwall! So if you also want to help an injured seabird, you know where to go.

Puffling Percy is simply a joy from start to finish. Playful, imaginative, informative and so skilfully performed, it’s an ideal entertainment for ages 3-8 years and their adults too. Wing your way to it if you can!

Composer/Musician: Harriette Ashcroft
Director: Zannie Fraser
Writer and Co-director: Tessa Nicholson
Set Designer: Amelia Pimlott
Puppet design: Alicia Britt
A Puffling Productions and Norwich Theatre Company production

Puffling Percy is aimed at ages 3-8 years and has now completed its run at Little Angel Theatre Studios, but tours nationally until 28 September.