Adapted from the very popular television series of the same name, Hey Duggee – The Live Theatre Show brings all of the children’s favourite characters to life in a hugely inventive, enjoyable show for all ages.
Part of the charm of Hey Dugee, or simply ‘Duggee’ in my household, is the fact there’s something in there for all family members. It’s one of those shows that always seems to be on and relatively accessible if it’s not – great for us parents that need seven minutes of peace. It really is a show that never outstays its welcome and always hits the right mark, pretty much with every episode. The same can be said about this new stage production which is in the middle of a packed-out nationwide tour.
Directed and co-adapted by Matthew Xia, Hey Duggee – The Live Theatre show basically revolves around those famous badges, of which each child is given a sticker sheet before they enter the auditorium. The story that plays out before us is Duggee and his squirrels – Norrie, Tag, Roly, Betty, and Happy – putting together the ingredients for a stage show. Throughout the hour-run time, the characters have to achieve their singing, costume, music, dancing, and erm, jelly badges, and the actors and puppeteers on stage will the audience to help them on their quest to get the big one at the end – their ‘Theatre’ badge for putting on a show.
Like the TV show, there are many songs, often funny winks at the crowd – “STICK” – “no, not yet”, alluding to arguably the most famous and most tediously catchy anthem of them all, and very inventive stage work (the space sequence is a massive stand-out). The actors involved all puppet the characters and some have more human involvement, again bringing characters from the CBeebies show to life. Benedict Hastings is a brilliant Duggee in what looked to be a really demanding and physical role and also delivers a great performance guiding us as the narrator.
Hey Duggee – The Live Theatre Show really is one for all ages. I attended with a five, a three, and a ten-month-old, and all left the theatre wanting more – the ten-month-old especially.
Perfect entry-level theatre-going and an absolute blast for the adults, too.
Hey Duggee – The Live Theatre Show was reviewed at the Lighthouse, Poole. It continues to tour the UK until August 2023. More details are here.
Hey Duggee – The Live Theatre Show
Summary
Fans of the original show will love every minute of this perfectly-paced and timed stage adaptation that sits miles above similar productions aimed at this level. One of the best family shows currently out there.
