A poor young donkey with dreams of reaching the stars is at the heart of Toto, a Topper and Fred co-production at The Polka Theatre. Adapted from Ximo Abadía’s illustrated book, the story follows Toto, who is destined for a life of drudgery, carrying heavy boxes in a factory. But Toto has bigger ambitions! Inspired by their hero, Luna Lopez, who travelled into space in a rocket fuelled by carrots, Toto dreams of becoming an astronaut.

Determined not to let circumstances stand in the way, Toto sets off for the city to pursue this dream, encountering adventure and disappointment along the way.

Inès Mazdon Delas, as Toto, is a lively and talented performer who engages the young audience from the outset. An energetic action song about being an astronaut, reminiscent of Heads, Shoulders, Knees and Toes, gets the show off to a flying start, encouraging the children to join in.

The supporting trio of Ricardo Castro, Alice Keedwell and Mya Fox-Scott demonstrate impressive versatility, taking on a myriad of roles and bringing each character to life with infectious enthusiasm.

Charlotte Henery’s set and costume design captures the essence of Abadía’s original illustrations beautifully. The bright set reflects the book’s cartoon style, while a simple stage divided into three sections cleverly transforms into Toto’s home, a television screen and the vastness of space. Toto’s striped T-shirt and donkey ears create an instantly recognisable look, while quick costume changes distinguish the other characters, from white flight dungarees to corporate jackets.

Jennifer Fletcher’s choreography is quirky and fun, complementing the playful spirit of the production. Harry Blake’s lively music and lyrics add to the excitement, with songs that soon have the children bouncing in their seats.

Although the show begins with plenty of energy, the pace dips somewhat midway through. Some children become distracted, while others are heard crying, suggesting the production briefly struggles to maintain its young audience’s attention.

The performers respond with a burst of audience participation, encouraging everyone to sing and shout “Bottom!” with the lyrics. This successfully recaptures the children’s attention, injecting fresh energy into the performance.

More interaction during this middle section could help sustain engagement throughout. The closing reprise of the astronaut song, however, proves a winning finale, bringing the children to their feet and ending the adventure on a high.

Toto is a charming and thought-provoking production celebrating imagination, perseverance and the courage to dream big. Its colourful design, lively performances and infectious music create an appealing theatrical adventure, while its central message reminds children that their circumstances need not define their ambitions.

With a little more audience participation to maintain momentum during the middle section, the production could be even more engaging from beginning to end.

A delightful adventure with a big-hearted message: never stop dreaming, even if your rocket runs on carrots!

 

Reviewed by Nina Gardner

Three and a half Stars

Recommended for children aged 3-8.

Toto runs until Sunday 1 November 2026.

For further details and tickets, see link below

Book

Cast
Toto Inès Mazdon Delas
Luna Lopez  Mya Fox-Scott
Mucho Dinero Ricardo Castro
Fernanda Alice Keedwell

Creatives
Writer Ximo Abadia
Adaptor, Composer, and Arranger Harry Blake
Director Jennifer Tang
Choreographer Jennifer Fletcher
Set & Costume Designer Charlotte Henery
Lighting Designer BennyGoodman
Sound Designer Dan Balfour
Casting Consultant Chloe Blake
Associate Choreographer Cathy Waller
Assistant Set & Costume Designer Eizo Zhao
Intimacy Coordinator Chi-San Howard.