Anyday Adventures

http://www.rav.net.au/whats-on/performing-arts-touring/we-re-going-on-a-bear-hunt-live-on-stage

We’re going on a Bear Hunt.
We’re going to catch a big one.
What a beautiful day!
We’re not scared.

Do you know these words off by heart? The famous children’s book We’re Going on a Bear Hunt has been out since 1989 so there’s a fair chance someone read it to you as a child, and perhaps more recently you have read it to your children. This lovely family tale of hunting down a bear is now a pantomime show touring the East Coast of Australia.

The show consists of four main cast members, plus a baby puppet and a bear. Now…you might be wondering…where’s the mum character? In the book she is also on the adventure, but she is absent from the stage show. I can only presume mum didn’t feel like going on the tour, haha. Not sure why, but either way her presence isn’t missed.

The Dad, daughter and son do a wonderful job throughout the show. Following along the storyline of the book they are on a hunt to find a bear, but alas, don’t know what a bear looks like. With frequent audience participation, the kids watching the stage show help our trio to identify and find the bear….oops spoiler!

Christopher Southhall plays the musically talented dog. The show has songs throughout, with the dog character being the main musician. The transition from dog to guitarist, to kazoo player back to dog is actually pretty seamless and works well. Hats off to Christopher; I thought his musical and acting talents were excellent.

Fun fact: This was the second time this year I have seen Christopher perform. I also enjoyed his talents at The Wind in the Willows earlier in January.

The baby puppet is adorable, and was a highlight for my baby obsessed two year old. She is puppeteered by all characters at various times and everyone does a great job with her.

The bear character is not credited, which obviously means he is played by a real bear. Don’t be alarmed though, he was very friendly and even had a few dance moves.

So as the family travel to try to find the bear they must go through grass, a river, mud, a forest, a snowstorm and a dark cave.

We can’t go over it.
We can’t go under it.
Oh no!
We’ve got to go through it.

Each element is done in an interesting and exciting way, and the kids watching were very engaged. Songs and actions associated with each stage of the journey were big and bold and very easy for little ones to understand. There’s the occasional adult joke thrown in there too.

The show runs for 55 minutes which is the perfect length for the age group it is targeting.

Ticket prices appear to vary depending on which show you see. We went to The Drum Theatre show in Dandenong where ticket prices were only $13….as long as you wore your pyjamas. It was a no brainer for me! I even made us matching ones.

Honestly, I loved the show and would recommend it highly. My figitty daughter stayed engaged and in her seat for nearly the entire show, so that in itself was a win. I rate it a 10/10 and hope you get an opportunity to see We’re Going on a Bear Hunt – Live on Stage while it’s on tour.

And just a little bit more Bear Hunt love…here is Michael Rosen (the Author of We’re Going on a Bear Hunt) performing his beloved story. Enjoy.

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