The Burton Taylor Studio is managed by the Oxford Playhouse, and is a small and intimate venue close to the main theatre which is perfect for taking small children to see a live act.
The fun starts as soon as we arrive when we're ushered in to a room close to the studio to do some colouring on some Dance Contest posters. Apart from being a nice introduction to what is coming, the children are kept nicely occupied while we wait for the show to start. Those who aren't inspired by the colouring are able to look at books or do some puzzles.
When it's time to enter the studio, the children who want to can sit near the action on comfy cushions, and their less flexible parents have the opportunity to sit on some comfy chairs. We're greeted by the "Health and Safety bloke" (really Mr Carpet himself in disguise) who explains that we're here for a "Dance Contest" and takes any completed posters to put on the wall. It delights the small audience to see their artwork displayed.
While we wait for the show to start properly, we get to take in our surroundings a bit. He's done a great job of creating his set by combining toys and media equipment to become an imaginative stage area that captivates the young and old in his audience perfectly.
There is a quick change of clothes and the health and safety man miraculously transforms into Kid Carpet the Rock Star! It's immediately obvious that some audience participation will be required in this show as we learn how to "rock out" with our new rock star friend before we start on our way to the dance contest. I have to say that rocking out is great fun, and we quickly get in to learning how to do it in style. The children are all loving it, and a fair portion of the grown ups are throwing themselves into it with gusto too.
Very cleverly we are introduced to the characters who will accompany us on our journey to the dance contest. We meet Gorilla (who is a bit shy), Bear (who is in the bath), Badger, and Hedgehog. We meet the stars of the show in the course of their own catchy song that we can all join in with easily. All the songs are great but I think the absolute favourite has to be the song about a bear being brave enough to do a poo in the forest which was a particular hit with the children. Judging by the pure fun they are having as they sing, rock out, and play instruments, it's obvious that his show and his songs are all born from a natural understanding of how to appeal to small children.
I love the idea that he uses toys for props that most of us have at home somewhere, and I get the idea that seeing them used in this way will do wonders for all the children's imaginations. The props are really clever and show that his talents don't just lie in music and lyrics. He uses cameras and projectors and homemade sets with great effect to appeal to children's love of the audio-visual, without relying on it to carry his show.
We arrive at the dance contest and the children are all invited to show off their best dance moves. Some seriously good grooving ensues with the aim of winning the contest. It's testimony to the great atmosphere that we have enjoyed that nearly all the children are confident enough to take part until a winner is chosen. Things are really buzzing now, but the end of the show brings a very clever chill out time which is designed to bring us all down to earth before we leave to go home. The toys go away in their boxes, and it's time to say good-bye.
The show is relatively short compared to some children's theatre productions, but in my view it is a perfect length to keep the attention and enjoyment of the age group it has been designed for.
We come to the conclusion that this show goes far beyond appealing to an audience of 3 to 8 years, but could quite happily appeal to anyone up to the age of 80!!! We have thoroughly enjoyed our afternoon, and we are all looking forward to the summer when we hope to see another Kid Carpet show in a field somewhere!
article by: Fiona Tayler
published: 21/03/2012 10:46
FUTURE GIGS
sorry, we currently have no gigs listed for this act.