Tall Stories brings the much-loved Elmer books by David McKee to life in their colourful new production, The Elmer Adventure, and it’s nothing short of a jungle-themed treat! My children, Alice (6) and Leo (5), are big Elmer fans, and from the moment we took our seats, their excitement was contagious. With songs, puppetry, and plenty of laughs, this is a joyful tribute to the 35th anniversary of everyone’s favourite patchwork elephant.
In The Elmer Adventure, three spirited friends—Jack, Frankie, and Amelia—gather together for their yearly reunion to celebrate “Elmer Day,” a special day honouring Elmer the Patchwork Elephant. The friends set out on a journey through a vibrant jungle, in the hopes of catching a glimpse of Elmer, on their journey the friend recall their favourite stories of Elmer’s kindness, cleverness, and unique colours. Their storytelling brings three of Elmer’s most beloved adventures to life: the original Elmer tale, Elmer and the Tune and Elmer and the Hippos. Each story unfolds with energy and imagination as the trio transforms into the colourful animals from Elmer’s world, inviting the audience to participate along the way.
In the original Elmer story, the friends portray Elmer as he sets out from his herd to find a tree which grows grey berries, when Elmer finds the tree he tries to blend in with the other elephants by covering himself with the berries, but he soon realises that his true colours bring joy and diversity to the herd. It's a heartwarming tale about self-acceptance and celebrating individuality. The second story the friends act out is Elmer and the Tune, in this story Elmer hears a catchy tune from his friend Rose. As Elmer wanders through the jungle, he hums the tune, and soon, it catches on with all the other animals. Before long, everyone in the jungle has the tune stuck in their heads, unable to shake it! The animals quickly grow tired of the tune, and Elmer realises he needs to help them out. He suggests they sing something everyone knows well to replace the tune, and they settle on Happy Birthday. The cast then gets everyone to sing Happy Birthday to a member of the audience and this clears the tune from their minds, bringing peace back to the jungle. This story is a light hearted look at how a shared problem can bring friends together.
The final story the friends act out is Elmer and the Hippos, they take on the roles of Elmer, his cousin Wilbur, and other elephants, while the audience becomes the hippos. In this story, Elmer and his friends work together to help a herd of hippos who have lost their river to a drought. With clever problem-solving and teamwork, they find a way to restore the river.
As their day winds down, the friends grow a little disappointed—they haven’t managed to spot Elmer himself. Jack even starts to wonder if Elmer is just a story after all. When Frankie and Amelia head to bed, Jack stays back to tidy the camp, readying for the journey home. Just then, Elmer magically appears, sharing a special moment with Jack and gifting him a beautiful patchwork bear to remember him by. The next morning, Jack excitedly tells his friends about meeting Elmer. They think he was dreaming…until he shows them the bear!
Designed by Amanda Mascarenhas, the set is an explosion of colour that mirrors the vibrant jungle of the Elmer books. Children’s faces light up as they spot oversized leaves, playful props, and bold backdrops, bringing the jungle to life. The music, composed by Matthew Floyd Jones, is a standout, with catchy tunes that children can’t resist. “Elephant Parade” was a personal favourite, but the kids adored the “E-L-M-E-R” song, clapping and singing along.
Tall Stories knows how to keep little ones entertained, with interactive elements like an eye-spy game, water gun surprises that had everyone laughing and squealing with joy, and giant balls launched into the crowd to add bursts of excitement. But the true highlight had to be the stunning, colourful Elmer puppet designed by Yvonne Stone, which brought squeals of delight from the children as it made its grand entrance.
The show's small cast of three—Amelia Gabriel, Frankie Turton, and Jack Benjamin—brings warmth and enthusiasm to each role, portraying a variety of jungle animals with unique personalities that captivate young viewers. Their high energy and engaging interactions with the audience create an immersive experience, while their playful performances reinforce the show's message of embracing differences, leaving lasting memories for children and adults alike.
The Elmer Adventure is an enchanting introduction to the world of theatre for children and families alike. This interactive show celebrates individuality and friendship, inviting young audiences to join in the fun with playful surprises like water-gun antics and bouncing balls that create laughter and excitement. With its catchy songs and enchanting puppetry, the production brings David McKee's beloved characters to life in a vibrant and engaging way. Whether you’re a long-time fan of Elmer or new to his adventures, this colourful celebration of uniqueness is a must-see family outing that will spark conversations about acceptance and creativity. So, wear your brightest colours and get ready to dive into the patchwork magic of Elmer's world!
The Elmer Adventure is on at The Lowry until Saturday 26th October 2024, you can purchase tickets by clicking on the button below.
If you would like more information about the show click the button below for tall stories official website.
Photo Credit - Mark Senior
*Our tickets for this show were kindly gifted in exchange for an honest review
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