This is a great little show for the under-fives and their families and a great little piece of theatre. It is interesting that, at a time when experimental theatre companies are looking at cutting-edge ways of using film and animation in their shows, it takes a children's puppet company to show them how it can be done. Here, it compliments the live action and makes it an integral part of the performance, not just a trendy add-on.
A simple piece of story-telling theatre this is the Ugly Duckling African style, set in a park in Birmingham where Larry the duckling is ostracised by the other ducks. He can't even get a place in the synchronised swimming team.
Staring unhappily at his reflection in the pond, he is interrupted by Umhlwethu, a beautiful eagle who has been blown off course by a storm. Umhlwethu tells how as an egg he fell into the hands of the star-catcher and ended up being brought up in Dynamite Lil's chicken shed-not a claw kicking good way for an eagle to spend his childhood. Soon everyone is happy as Larry with the discovery that it is no use thinking you are a duck when you are a swan or a chicken when you are an eagle.
It is very simple stuff, but it is very beautifully done, evoking the sounds and colours of Africa and injecting some cheeky humour into the story - Larry isn't quite sure whether his mum has gone off to get married or marinated.
The puppetry is cleverly handled, there is a wonderful sequence in which the audience gets to feel what it would be like to be an eagle soaring over the African landscape, and the storytelling style is very appealing. It is enough to make you quack with happiness.
· Until December 27. Box office: 0121-236 4455.
