Here at Edspire HQ we are regular theatre goers
And HUGE Julia Donaldson fans
So Tabby McTat
On the stage
Was always going to be a hit
A 55 minute musical production
Adapted from page to stage
By the wonderful Freckle Productions
Tabby McTat is a cat with the loudest of meee-ews and a best friend with a guitar. Together they sing their favourite songs delighting the crowds, until one day Fred disappears. Separated and alone, Tabby finds shelter and a new life with all the home comforts that any cat could dream of. However, memories of his life with Fred haunt him, and he sets off to search the streets for his long-lost friend.
“Me, you and the old guitar,
How perfectly, perfectly happy we are.
MEEE-EW and the old guitar.
How PURRR-fectly happy we are!”
Four actors tell the story of the busker’s cat
Through spoken words and catchy songs
The play begins with the storyteller who is playing Samuel Spratt
Tabby McTat’s son
He asks for others who know the story and who can sing
To join him on stage to help tell the story of his dad
Esther was desperate to be chosen
Not realising that three actors were seated among the audience
Ready to volunteer
The cast of four were all brilliant actors
With wonderful singing voices
The show was a mini musical
It introduced children to different styles of music
From show tunes to rap and soul songs
Even a beautiful ballad
The harmonies were perfect and the storytelling very effective
There was lots of audience participation
Including learning a very special handshake
I loved the way the characters weaved magic tricks and imaginative play
Into the story
We came away wanting to make our very own junk model musical instruments
And to learn to do magic tricks!
Bea LOVED the show and especially loved the lady playing Tabby for much of the show
We were lucky enough to bump into her afterwards and Bea was so happy!!
She was really kind and spoke to the children about the show which was lovely
Esther and William had lots to say about the staging
They loved the use of hats to show when the actors changed character
Esther also loved the dance scene when Tabby met Socks
William shared my love for the main storyteller
Who was also Samuel Spratt
He had great stage presence and was very charismatic I thought
All four children aged 2 to 9 loved the show and were totally focused from the start
Edie, age 2, was a little disappointed not to see a real cat
And did ask me a few times when the kittens were coming
We walked back to the car singing the songs
Sharing our highlights of the show
A brilliant piece of theatre for young ones and all those young at heart
The show is currently on tour
If it is coming to a theatre near you
And you have the chance to catch the show
We heartily recommend that you do
Tabby McTat is a heart-warming tale of friendship and loyalty
A feline theatrical treat for all the family
We were given a family ticket in return for our honest review