The Famous Five: A New Musical – October 2022
Who? A co-production between Chichester Festival Theatre and Theatr Clwyd
What? The Famous Five: A New Musical
Where? Chichester Festival Theatre
When? 21st October – 12th November 2022
What’s the show about? 3 children (Julian, Dick and Anne) go to stay with their cousin (George) for the summer. After George falls out with her dad, the four of them and their dog (Timmy) decide to run away and go on an adventure. Unfortunately, George and Timmy got kidnapped and the others had to come to the rescue.
What was really good about it? The music was great. I really liked all of the songs and the way they were performed. They tell the story by acting out the song instead of dancing and it’s really clever.
I also enjoyed the funny bits of the show. Bobby was particularly funny and had loads of jobs. It was a bit like Miss Rabbit from Peppa Pig. I wasn’t sure how he had the time to do every job! He also (weirdly) wore lots of hats. I wasn’t sure where I would store them all.
My favourite characters were Dick and George. Dick because he kept talking about food and I felt I was agreeing with him most of the time. George was great because she was so brave and courageous and always looked for adventures.
There were some amazing puppets in the show. There was a puppet for the dog (Timmy) for the whole body. I wasn’t sure where the treats went once someone had given him one though. There was a puppet for a sheep, that was very funny, it could even make noises, like baa. I also liked the birds (puppets as well) flying around and through the air and the seal puppet made everyone laugh.
Before the show, we had an afternoon tea at the Brasserie, I especially enjoyed the blue candyfloss. My sister’s favourite thing was the blue candyfloss as well (see pictures below).
What could be better? We had a massive afternoon tea before the show, so we didn’t get an ice cream at the interval. Disappointing. Otherwise, it was a good show.
What my dad thinks? “The kids loved it. The songs were great (especially Jump, Fly, Fall) and there was a lot of humour in the show. The character of Bobby offered a lot of the laughs with some genuinely funny lines, but I didn’t really get why this otherwise likeable, happy character decided to become the evil sidekick to the villain.”
Star Rating – ❤❤❤❤❤
Oh Tom, you so are such a clever writer because what you write always makes me wish I’d been there to enjoy it with you. I read all the Famous Five books when I was a child so I remember some of the characters and the adventures they used to have. This production seems heaps more fun than the books! Well done Tom.
Maria Goodman here! I played George and I just wanted to say thank you so much for coming to watch and that I’m so glad you enjoyed it! I’ve sent it to the other members of the Famous Five and they all send their thanks as well!
Shame you couldn’t get an ice cream! Hope the adventure made up for it though!
Thanks so much Maria. This has made his day. All the best for the rest of the run.
WONDERFUL Tom, it’s another great review!
Oh Tom, this is such a fab review and yet again you’ve really made me really wish I had been there! The photos are brilliant too.