In preparation for coming to the show, I tell my children – ages four and two – the basic story of the Grimm Brothers’ Rumpelstiltskin, while also warning them it might be a little bit different because on reading the characters of this version we are very curious to see how Little Bo Peep fits into this story! 

The premise of the story remains the same with the farmer who – wanting to impress the King and get one up on his neighbour – boasts that his daughter can spin straw into gold. Rumpelstiltskin comes to the daughter’s rescue and spins the straw into gold (or does he?) in return for payment with her most precious things including a promise to give over her first born!? 

This is where – in keeping with Kapitall Kids Theatre mission statement of presenting ‘innovative, creative and exciting’ theatre for children – the writer, Lou Proudfoot, weaves a variation of the plot with humour and intrigue.

The costuming is beautifully stylised and the lighting and static set is simple and effective in transporting us between Farmer Bo’s farm and King Willy’s castle.   

The actors portray their characters well and have an easy-going rapport with the quiet and attentive opening show audience as they slowly gain our confidence to help the characters with plot developments and dilemmas. I think that maybe some ‘pantomime etiquette’ schooling may be useful at the top of the show to help with this, so the children know they can call out and interact with and help the actors along the way.

Darryn Woods plays a down to earth but doltish Farmer Bo Peep, carrying his ‘down Devon’ accent excellently. Le-Roi Kippen is a fun-loving and flamboyant King Willy who just ‘wants people to like him’. His portrayal of ‘Dance with Somebody’ complete with Whitney-esque choreography is hilarious and strongly sung. Mahalia Sinclair-Parker is the dreamy fair maiden Little Bo Peep and Ruby Kemp is the antagonist trickster, Rumpelstiltskin.

Using mostly current popular music throughout is another clever link to drawing in the young audience, as shown by one young girl saying, “That’s my song!” when a rework of Taylor Swift’s ‘Shake It Off’ is sung.

The duet between Bo-Peep and Rumpelstiltskin doesn’t quite come off vocally at this first performance but it doesn’t mar the enjoyment of this engaging and fun piece of theatre providing a great opportunity for young theatre practitioners to express and hone their talents. 

As with all fairy tales, there are lessons to be learned and in this story the characters learn to be truthful, to respect others, that greed and trickery doesn’t win friends and broccoli makes you gorgeous.

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