Did you know that tucked into the edges of Millennium Square in the heart of Leeds is quite possibly the best theatre in the City for children’s productions?
Just take a glance at its seasonal programme—so much of it is dedicated to nurturing the minds of the future. In a country where education increasingly prioritises ‘academic’ subjects over the Arts, gems like The Carriageworks should be celebrated and fully embraced. Parents and carers should consider theatre trips as exciting alternatives to the cinema or bowling. As the great author Philip Pullman once said, “Children need to go to the theatre as much as they need to run around in fresh air.”
With that in mind, I rounded up my two children—Florence (5) and Edward (7)—and headed off on a Saturday afternoon to see their current production: The Worst Princess by Full House Theatre.
Based on the bestselling picture book by Anna Kemp, the play follows Princess Sue, a bold and unconventional Princess who’s anything but your typical fairy tale heroine. After being rescued by a rather clueless prince, Sue quickly realises that the traditional “happily ever after” isn’t for her. Instead, she teams up with a fire-breathing dragon, escapes her tower and quite literally sets the prince’s pants on fire. With impressive puppetry, catchy pop songs and laugh-out-loud comedy, the show champions independence, friendship and rewriting your own story.
At just 55 minutes, this show is the perfect length for young audiences and a brilliant introduction to live theatre if you’ve yet to take the plunge. The production is vibrant and engaging—the set and lighting are bright, bold, but simple enough not to be overwhelming. The main theatre at The Carriageworks is ideal for children’s shows: intimate enough to feel welcoming, yet big enough to generate a thrilling buzz of anticipation.
The songs are a real highlight; catchy, upbeat and beautifully sung with tight multiple harmonies and some truly amazing voices. The accompanying choreography is right and effective, with some really clever ensemble direction in the narrator’s roles especially.
If you’ve never performed in a children’s show, let me tell you—it’s exhausting! But this cast of five made it look effortless and, more importantly, unbelievably fun. Susannah Cann shines as the sassy, independent Princess Sue; an inspiring role model for young girls, and, in my opinion, a far better one than Aurora or Snow White. The prince, of course, is an inspiration to absolutely no one, but Lawrence Harp plays him with brilliant comedic flair—my son laughed hysterically throughout. Sure, the parents might roll their eyes at the predictable potty humour, but let’s be honest—those jokes never get old for kids. In fact, they were my son’s favourite part! Kieron Michael was a favourite of mine, with his sparkly exaggeration and flamboyance, shining particularly in his role of the frog.
The puppetry was another brilliant element of this production. The cast handled the puppets with such skill and ease, especially the large, impressive dragon puppet that had children gasping in awe. This kind of imaginative storytelling and magical world-building is exactly why children need theatre in their lives.
Overall, this production is not only fun and professionally executed, but it also delivers an empowering message without ever patronising its audience. It encourages all children, not just girls, to be brave, adventurous and in charge of their own stories, all while keeping them well entertained.
The Carriageworks is quickly becoming one of my favourite places in Leeds to take my children, and The Worst Princess is a prime example of the high-quality children’s theatre they offer. If your Sunday is looking quiet (or you’ve got 55 minutes to spare), grab some tickets while you can—your kids will thank you for it…
The Worst Princess is at Carriageworks Theatre until tomorrow. Buy your tickets here.
Photography by Shaun Armstrong.
