A tantalising stack of wrapped boxes with yellow ribbon sits on stage and performers sit on the outside of the space smiling at the audience – children and parents coming into the space and sitting on three sides. Expectation is high and as the dancers and musicians take the stage there are sounds of shakers held in their hands. An element of mystery is introduced and built upon as we wonder what is in their hands and more importantly, what treats are hidden in the boxes? 

Two musicians, Charles Davenport and Tristan Carter, start to play and their contribution is huge as they dance, skilfully play a range of instruments and support the progress of a series of incidents and experiences coming from the boxes.

What is in the boxes? Curiosity on every face as costumes come out and inspire a super-hero sequence then two pieces of material find a range of imaginative activities; out of small boxes come bowls of runny chocolate that gets fed to adult audience members ( hygiene?).

This is a show about expectations, surprises and discovery and is delivered with almost manic energy and larger-than-life facial expressions. The musicians enter into the episodic story line impressively playing as they dance. The dancers – Emma Coppersmith, Ella Williams, Lauren Kerr and director/performer Sacha Copland – cavort, sing and sustain a relentless delivery of fast paced movement but I feel that the vocabulary lacks the complexity and sophistication that would make this production really deliver a Treat at every level.

There is a South American feel to the songs and children are drawn in to action at the end. My grandchildren enjoy the music a lot but are not so sure about the ‘treats’ – I think they had visions of lollies and ice cream! I read the promotion material after seeing the show and it does promise “an epic mission to find our favourite treat” – lollies, roller coasters and kittens are mentioned – so I am not sure Treat delivers on its promise. But it is brightly coloured, relentlessly smiling, musically interesting and fun to watch.

The contrast between the world outside and the escapism of performance was never more palpable than this last weekend. 

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