THIS absolute delight of a production brought huge smiles to the faces of its young Haymarket audiences.

It was certainly one not to be missed for our family, given that it is one of our four year-old daughter’s favourite bedtime reads.

She and her father enjoy re-enacting it along the landing, culminating in a dash for bed to hide under the covers, just as they do in Michael Rosen’s book.

The cast of four effortlessly delivered Barb Jungr’s outstanding music and lyrics at each stage of the family’s (a set of fabulous puppets designed by Lyndie Wright) journey with their pet dog, through the swishy swashy grass and the stream, through the squelchy mud and into the deep dark wood.

The baby of the family, little Bertie, was particularly charming, as was a wonderful sequence with a deer in the wood.

Basingstoke Gazette:

And oh, the drama when the bear himself appeared in the cave!

In a few brilliantly managed moments, variously sized versions of the bear popped up on and around the stage and, in another incredibly exciting sequence, he made his way around the auditorium, taking a good look at just who had come along to see him.

With terrific set design by Simon Plumridge, this was a perfectly timed and executed children’s production.

We’ll certainly ensure that we don’t miss any future productions by Little Angel Theatre.

*Children's shows coming up at Anvil Arts: 

The Life and Adventures of Santa Claus. December 3-14 

Cinderella. December 11 - January 4 

The Snail and the Whale. February 5-8

The First Time Machine. February 17  

Sing-a-long-a Frozen. March 14, 3pm and 7pm (The February 28 date is sold out) 

The Cat in the Hat. March 7-8 

OAE Tots. March 15 

Orchestra Unwrapped. March 23

The National Children's Orchestra. April 12.