Udderly chaotic; surprisingly charming.
It’s become something of an annual tradition in Leeds: if it involves rhyming poetry, puppet animals and catchy songs, chances are Julia Donaldson is behind it.
….. and, frankly, long may that continue. Her stories have an effortless charm that seems to translate to the stage with reliable success, offering just enough whimsy to keep children delighted and adults quietly impressed (or at least gently soothed).
This year’s offering, A Squash and a Squeeze, is perhaps one of her slighter tales. Story-wise, it’s less “epic adventure” and more “cosy life lesson with livestock,” but what it lacks in narrative complexity, it makes up for in warmth, humour, and a surprising amount of chaos per square foot.
For the uninitiated: a little old lady feels her house is far too small. Enter a “wise” old man who suggests she invites in a series of increasingly inconvenient farmyard guests: a flappy hen, a scratchy goat, a greedy pig and a rather large cow. Unsurprisingly, things get cramped. Very cramped. But when they all leave again, the cottage suddenly feels palatial. It’s basically a masterclass in perspective… with added mooing.
The cast is a neat trio: Ruth Calkin as the frazzled woman, Gilbert Taylor as the suspiciously youthful “old” wise man, and Mark Esaias, who deserves some sort of endurance award for single-handedly embodying the entire animal kingdom. All three are excellent, working together as a tight, playful ensemble. The harmonies are strong, the characters clear and Taylor, in particular, has a knack for audience engagement—despite looking like he should be worrying about his student loan rather than dispensing life wisdom.
Audience interaction is a huge part of the show’s success. The recurring “easy-peasy!” slogan quickly becomes a crowd favourite, and by the finale, when everyone is encouraged to get on their feet, even the most reserved adults find themselves half-clapping, half-laughing – and fully accepting their fate.
The puppetry is a standout. Each animal is brought to life with inventive design and distinct personality, and the set itself (particularly the cleverly transforming house) does a brilliant job of visually capturing the increasing “squash.” It’s simple but effective, and there’s real joy in watching it all unfold.
That said, the production does feel slightly dwarfed by the scale of the Quarry Theatre. It’s an intimate story, and at times you sense it might have felt more at home in a smaller space like the Courtyard. While the charm carries it a long way, there’s no getting around the fact that the story itself is a bit thin, though that’s more a feature of the source material than the production.
Still, at a brisk 55 minutes, it’s pretty much the perfect introduction to theatre for younger audiences. There’s no time to get restless, plenty to join in with, and enough silliness to keep everyone entertained. Even those on the cusp of “too old for this sort of thing” may find themselves dancing along by the end, just as wildly as my own 8 year old was. My 5 year old was in her absolute element and even much younger toddlers were fully engaged in the show.
Children’s theatre has a particular kind of magic, one that doesn’t rely on spectacle so much as shared joy. While A Squash and a Squeeze might not be the most substantial story ever told, it delivers exactly what it promises: laughter, warmth and a reminder that sometimes, all you need is a cow in your living room to appreciate what you have.
leedsplayhouse.org.uk/event/a-squash-and-a-squeeze
0113 213 7700
Main image: Mark Esaias, Ruth Calkin and Gilbert Taylor.
