Rachel and family visited Bishop Auckland Town Hall for the Show - Breadcrumbs.
Here is her fantastic review.
It's Christmas Eve and Hansel and Gretel are on an adventure. Their mum has rung to say she will be late home, so they pack supplies and brave the Deep Dark Wood to Grandmother’s house. They are clever, resourceful, and brave, but they cannot STOP SQUABBLING! The journey takes many twists and turns before they’re finally able to join forces and overcome their obstacles together. The little audience members sit on cosy rugs in front of the stage, treated to the best seats in the house for a professional performance written and performed just for them.
The actors playing Hansel and Gretel and their supporting crew are fantastic. Together with some truly brilliant narration, they carry the 50-minute performance, masterfully delivering complicated songs and dialogue. The set, lighting, music, and carefully chosen props enrich an already excellent show. This is proper theatre done on a small and relaxed scale for littles. An excellent (not to mention more affordable!) introduction to the world of Christmas theatre.
Things we loved
Breadcrumbs is a theatrical performance designed for littles, but still enjoyable for the grown ups in the audience
A relaxed performance, both actors did an extraordinary job of continuing through any distractions from the littles in the audience
Laughs! Jokes, silliness, and physical comedy abound
The narration is genius!
Both actors performed beautifully – fully committing to their childish characters. Hansel, a strong vocal performer with excellent comic timing, was a big hit with my children. They’re still quoting a line involving a mix up with a map
The stage is small but beautifully serves the story. Everything is carefully orchestrated, from lights to music to narration to background and props. So much is conveyed with a simple hat swap!
The script, complete with original lyrics, is professional and polished. Some of the lyrics and vocabulary went over the heads of the young audience, but the meaning was never lost.
Soft rugs are laid out just in front of the stage so your littles can take off their shoes and get cosy for the performance
Toilets are just outside the theatre hall so children are able to nip out and get back without missing much of the show.
Reasonably priced box office snacks are available before you make your way up the festively decorated stairs to the theatre
At £8 per person, £30 for a family ticket (£10 pp, £35 family ticket at the Gala), Breadcrumbs is more affordable than most Christmas productions, always greatly appreciated for those who aren’t sure whether their children are ready for a full production.
Things to note
• Breadcrumbs is recommended for ages is 3-7. Slightly younger and older children were also in the audience and seemed engaged. You know your children best!
• The show runs for 50 minutes with no break. Though it is remarkably engaging a few children did lose focus at some stage of the performance. This was never a problem – the actors continued a professional performance despite any distractions from their tiny audience
• The bickering between the two siblings is at times intense. The overall message is one of kindness, understanding, and working as a team to overcome any obstacles, but it’s a squabbly journey to their happy ending
• There are a few moments of peril. Some rather cranky birds, a touch of the supernatural, and a fall which might make younger/more sensitive children uneasy. However, my children felt having a curse rather than a baddy made the performance safe viewing for small children despite these moments.
Make a day of it!
Breadcrumbs is currently playing in the beautiful Bishop Auckland Town Hall. We saw a morning performance, then entered into the magic of the Christmas village. If you have littles, this is a lush day out. The market itself is relaxed and small-child friendly. Festive music wafts across the stretch of stalls, the ice rink is small enough to be perfect for younger children, and the crowds weren’t overwhelming.
Breadcrumbs is only on for one weekend in Bishop Auckland, but if you missed it you can also catch performances at the brilliant Gala Theatre in Durham throughout December!
There is something magical about a theatre company that dedicates itself to creating a true theatre experience for littles. Wrongsemble is extraordinary. They put on a professional production which elevates expectations while remaining accessible for the smallest theatre fans.
My eldest’s final words : ‘I loved it! Ten out of ten.’
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