LET’S be honest, travelling abroad with young children is not a pleasurable experience. Especially not so, I imagine, with the chaos at many UK airports recently.

So, when Proteus Creation Space offered the chance to ‘travel abroad’ without having a lengthy airport wait, it seemed foolish to pass this opportunity.

Teaming up with Scratch Built Productions for a brand-new summer show, Proteus invited families to pack up their bags, bring along a favourite toy and jet off to a new destination in an interactive adventure.

Featuring Scratch Built’s trademark mix of interactive storytelling, exquisitely hand-crafted set design, beautiful puppetry, music and sensory elements, the walkthrough adventure encouraged children to explore, play, create and interact with the charming characters that they met along the way.

Scratch Built never fails to capture children’s imagination and my five-year-old son was engaged from start to finish.

Setting the scene when we arrived, we were invited to design our own passport before checking in at security where we were handed over a boarding pass for a Basing Air flight to a mystery destination.

The two-person cast knew exactly what makes young children tick, as well as how to keep the adults entertained.

The silly humour had both my son and I giggling, and the simple but imaginative elements of the walk-through adventure excited throughout.

Proteus uses all its space available, guiding families through to different rooms and even outside. This all adds to the excitement and anticipation of not knowing what’s coming next and facilitated that ‘wow’ moment when we reached the holiday destination.

We experienced all the elements of travelling on a plane from check-in to in-flight refreshments – my son thought it hilarious when he ordered a coffee and was presented with a coffee bean and sprayed with water.

His specially chosen teddy was given the VIP treatment when she was tagged and taken through baggage handling, much to the amusement of my son.

When we arrived at the holiday destination, there was an activity for the children to enjoy before they met various puppet characters including a cheeky monkey and beautiful butterfly.

The interactive summer show was yet another triumph for Proteus and Scratch Built Productions, leaving both children and adults thoroughly entertained.

Let’s Go on Holiday was perfect for little ones not yet ready to sit still through a more traditional theatre performance.

Basingstoke is lucky to have Proteus and Scratch Built Productions offering unique and joyous family entertainment that will have no doubt created lasting special memories for adults and children across the town this summer.

We can’t wait for the next one!

Proteus has further family shows planned for the autumn, including its Christmas show. For more information visit proteustheatre.com/whatson/.