An endearing adaptation of a few of the children’s Aesop’s Fables are brought together in a delightful thirty five minute production aimed at families with small children.

The classic story of the “Hare and the Tortoise” is a favourite. Where the over zealous and rather “cocky” Hare doesn’t understand anything apart from his speed. He has done everything better than everyone else and knows more than anyone else. Which in turn leads to him being beaten by the Tortoise.

The cast of four combines storytelling and music to entertain the audience of various ages. The children are encouraging to join in with the dance at the end, although this is optional and without pressure.

I especially liked the Grasshoppers harvest song that it had spent all summer perfecting while the rest of the animals had been busy preparing for the long winter ahead gathering food. There was a slight John Lennon influence in the character with the style of its glasses and guitar in hand.

This production due to the length of the play would be an ideal performance to take to local nursery schools as an end of term treat for the children.

For more information about The Fireside Folktales Barnes Fringe Festival, please use the link below.

Four Stars.

https://shadowroad.com/fireside-folktales-fringe/