Review: WINNIE THE POOH: THE NEW MUSICAL ADAPTATION, Riverside Studios
Photo credit: Pamela Raith
Winnie the Pooh: The New Musical Adaptation is a whimsical story of the iconic titular character and his best friends Piglet, Eeyore, Kanga, Roo, Rabbit, Owl, Tigger and of course, Christopher Robin. As Pooh waits for Christopher Robin to return from school, we follow his journey through the seasons as he goes on an adventure to find honey. Produced by Disney Theatrical Productions, the show has transferred from Broadway and now is showing at the Riverside Studios in Hammersmith before heading on an UK and Ireland tour - perfectly timed for the summer holidays.
Billed as a musical, the show would be better described as a play with songs. From the minute you step into the studio, you are surrounded by the sounds of the Hundred Acre Wood and this soundscape continues through the use of music. Classic songs such as 'Winnie the Pooh' and 'The Wonderful Thing About Tiggers' feature and these ditties are enjoyable but they do not move the story on and instead serve as a way for the characters to sing and interact with their friends.
Brought to life by almost life-sized puppets, the story pieces together snippets and songs from classic Pooh stories. The friends meet a snowman called Mrs Winter, Piglet gets blown away after becoming tangled in a kite and Pooh gets stuck in a tree hunting for his favourite food: honey. Interspersed with thoughtful and philosophical lines, the show is adorable and fun. One particular highlight is when Tigger sings ‘Whoop-De-Dooper Bounce’ whilst teaching a bouncing lesson. Tigger (Robbie Noonan) is a certainly a standout and he really brings the energy. Christopher Robin only features in the last ten minutes of the show, which brings a happy conclusion to Pooh’s waiting as the next adventure begins.
The puppets are simple but effective. The design allows the actors to effectively capture the characters’ personality. The larger characters Pooh, Tigger and Rabbit are attached to the actor’s feet and Eeyore’s mouth is cleverly operated by a lever on the top of his furry head. Central to the success of the show is the actors ability to imitate the iconic voices of the characters. The cast is led by Jake Bazel, whose portrayal of Winnie the Pooh boosts the show’s charm. His ability to mimic the bear’s iconic voice is exceptional. The vocal talents of all the cast must also be applauded, Eeyore (Alex Cardall) and Tigger in particular, although the choice to have a mixture of British and American accents is a little distracting at times.
The cuddly characters certainly appeared to captivate the imaginations of the young audience members which is evident by the surprisingly quiet auditorium. The occasional immersive moments: autumn leaves and snow falling from above and the moment when Eeyore remarks to a child on the front row “are you my house?” help to sustain their attention.
Winnie the Pooh is a straight forward show and there is definitely space for further development, which could be achieved by drawing on the wealth of Winnie the Pooh stories. However, taken at face value, Winnie the Pooh is 60-minutes of wholesome fun, perfect for children.
A nostalgic, warming and brilliant introduction to live theatre for children...it is definitely worth a watch.
**** Four stars
Reviewed by: Sophie Luck
Winnie the Pooh: The New Musical Adaptation plays at Riverside Studios until 21 May before touring. Tickets for select touring venues can be purchased here.