A Little Leviathan's Heart-Warming Visit to the Seaside
The Storm Whale, an adaptation of Benji Davies' 2013 picture book, has arrived on stage, bringing with it a touching tale of a young boy named Noi and his heartwarming encounter with a stranded whale. The production, directed by Matt Aston, skillfully conveys the theme that solitude need not mean loneliness.
The story revolves around Noi's lonely days spent waiting for his father to return from fishing. His life takes an unexpected turn when he befriends a washed-up whale, and together they form an unusual bond. While the script is often poignant, it sometimes falls flat with repetitive and solemn dialogue that may test young audiences' attention.
However, the production shines in its imaginative flights of fancy, such as Noi's vivid description of what strawberries might taste like if he licked a lighthouse. The use of puppetry is also noteworthy, particularly the endearing whale puppet crafted by Keith Frederick, which captures the sense of wonder with its quivering tail and glinting eyes.
The creative team has done an excellent job in bringing the story to life through Hayley Del Harrison's choreography, Julian Butler's lively music, and Jason Salvin's lighting design. The tempest that washes up the whale is beautifully rendered, accompanied by stirring sea shanties.
While the show remains a heartwarming tale of friendship, it could benefit from wilder humour and more adventurous spirit to truly make it stand out. Nevertheless, The Storm Whale is a delightful production that will captivate young audiences with its poignant story and creative staging, making it an ideal choice for children aged four to eight.
The Storm Whale, an adaptation of Benji Davies' 2013 picture book, has arrived on stage, bringing with it a touching tale of a young boy named Noi and his heartwarming encounter with a stranded whale. The production, directed by Matt Aston, skillfully conveys the theme that solitude need not mean loneliness.
The story revolves around Noi's lonely days spent waiting for his father to return from fishing. His life takes an unexpected turn when he befriends a washed-up whale, and together they form an unusual bond. While the script is often poignant, it sometimes falls flat with repetitive and solemn dialogue that may test young audiences' attention.
However, the production shines in its imaginative flights of fancy, such as Noi's vivid description of what strawberries might taste like if he licked a lighthouse. The use of puppetry is also noteworthy, particularly the endearing whale puppet crafted by Keith Frederick, which captures the sense of wonder with its quivering tail and glinting eyes.
The creative team has done an excellent job in bringing the story to life through Hayley Del Harrison's choreography, Julian Butler's lively music, and Jason Salvin's lighting design. The tempest that washes up the whale is beautifully rendered, accompanied by stirring sea shanties.
While the show remains a heartwarming tale of friendship, it could benefit from wilder humour and more adventurous spirit to truly make it stand out. Nevertheless, The Storm Whale is a delightful production that will captivate young audiences with its poignant story and creative staging, making it an ideal choice for children aged four to eight.
! Keith Frederick's whale puppet was so adorable, I almost wanted to take it home 
. But what really got me was how the show tackled loneliness in a way that felt super relatable, especially for kids who might be feeling left out or struggling with quiet days at home. The music and lighting were also top notch - I loved how they used sea shanties to create this stormy vibe 
. Maybe next time they could add some more laughs and excitement, but overall, it was a super heartwarming show that left me feeling all the feels 
.
. I mean, a quivering tail and glinting eyes? Really? Can't they do better than that? 
And don't even get me started on the music – it's just a bunch of generic sea shanties strung together without any real flair. 
I get it, the show is supposed to be heartwarming, but can't they bring some actual excitement to the table? 
The Storm Whale feels like a missed opportunity to be truly magical and engaging for young audiences... *sigh* 
. What really stood out for me was the puppetry, oh man it was like having a real-life whale in front of me 
. Still, I loved how creative and imaginative the whole production was! The music and lighting were so cool too 
I just watched this show and i'm literally crying 
the puppetry is insane!! Keith Frederick's whale design is so adorbs 
but yeah, some parts felt a bit too sappy for me 
, especially the whale one! It was like having a little friend on stage 
, like when Noi talks about his life and stuff. I wish they added more excitement to it 
, but overall it's still really sweet 
! It would be awesome if they could add some funnier moments to make it even more engaging 
. Still, I think the show is great for little kids 
and their parents will love it too 
!
! The music is also really fun, like those sea shanties they sing 
. Still, it's a great choice for little kids aged 4-8, and it teaches them that even when you're feeling lonely, friendship can come in unexpected ways 
, Julian Butler's music is so uplifting, and Jason Salvin's lighting design is stunning!
. Still, for a heartwarming tale of friendship that'll resonate with young minds, The Storm Whale's a solid choice 
. The stage design was also super cool, I loved how they used light and sound to bring the stormy sea to life 
. A couple of parts felt a bit slow for my restless kid, but overall we had an amazing time! 
. But yeah, some parts felt a bit slow for my little one's attention span... maybe add some more laughs or action? still, 8/10 would watch again, would def recommend! 
i mean who makes a whale puppet that looks like it's gonna cry? anyway, it's clear they put a lot of love into this show and that shines through, but yeah maybe some more humour would've been nice to balance out the seriousness... still, it's def worth checking out if you're looking for something sweet and inspiring 
especially that whale puppet it's so lovable! i mean who wouldn't want a best friend like Noi and his whale buddy 
. maybe they could've added some more fun moments to keep it wilder but still, it's a great show for little ones 
. Maybe a bit slow for some younger ones, but overall a great experience 
especially when he befriends that whale, i was literally crying along with him 
but what really got me was the puppetry tho, that whale's eyes are EVERYTHING 
and can we talk about hayley del harrison's choreography tho? it's like they took this simple story & turned it into a wild adventure 
i mean, who comes up with 'strawberries might taste like lighthouses'? genius, that's who 
But overall, it sounds like a great show for kids!