Photograph: Lakeside Arts
Full of mischief and the joys of living, two Kenyan friends, Handa and Akeyo are in search of Grandma's missing hen, Mondi.
This theatrical version of Eileen Browne's children's book is a charmingly, inclusively staged celebration of animals, numbers, friendship and the wonder of discovery. Beginning with two butterflies and ending with ten chicks (via lizards, starlings and the elusive hen, to name a few) it's a simple 'story' of few words told with great energy, playfulness and glee, through music, song, dance (we boogied) and puppetry.
Each time new creatures were introduced, the initially spartan set expanded to display them, until we ended up with a lovely menagerie of puppets that the wee ones were encouraged to interact with at the end.
For its 35 minute duration Handa's Hen and its cast of 57 (including two humans) not only held the attention of a room full of two-six year olds, but thoroughly absorbed, tickled and entertained them. That's no mean feat, as any parent will attest to. Special mention goes to the 'frog chorus' and their rendition of Ray Charles' 'Hit The Road Jack', with just enough silliness to keep the adults entertained as well.
What else...your little 'n' can even learn to count to ten in Swahili! I thoroughly recommend it, but I'll leave the last word to my nineteen month old daughter, who was evidently inspired by the captivating tale-telling she'd just seen: 'Funny chicken. Nip my finger'.
Handa's Hen was at Lakeside Arts Theatre on Saturday 28 February 2016.
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