I thought I would let Snuggles the elephant write this one, as he was able to take part in Your Toys, a show by Slot Machine Theatre at the Unicorn.
Aimed at 5-9 year olds, the cast of four actor-puppeteers and a musician are joined by a cast of toys provided by the audience on the day. From traditional soft toys to dolls and mechanical pieces, they all get their turn.
The show’s trailer is here:
https://youtu.be/qNHP5eARM-4?si=6pDIsvkAREGh0ScX
Snuggles tells us more:
When I found out I was going to be taken to Your Toys and possibly be part of the show, I was really excited!
I had a bath on Friday, so I looked clean and nice, and on Saturday I got put in a bag for the tube journey. At the Unicorn Theatre, I took a selfie before we went in.
Being a polite elephant, I introduced myself to Nicola, one of the cast, and after she and the others admired my ears, I joined some other animals sitting on a cardboard box. I’m a bit shy, so everyone looking at us was scary.
Then I got put in a box with my new friends and waited for my big moment. I could hear some music and a story about some animals, a rabbit, a bear and a cat, who were shipwrecked and trying to find their friends.
There was a monster, some berries, and a lot of getting into trouble. It was a bit dark in the box, but I thought of it like my dressing room, ready for my close-up.
Then I got lifted up, and it was time. I flew. I danced, nodding my head and tapping my feet to a drumbeat. I had my own little platform to do it. It was a solo spot of sorts. I loved it!
I thought that might be it, but along with my other friends in the Your Toys cast, I got another moment, being launched through a monster’s mouth. I was left nose down for a bit, but you have to suffer these indignities in the name of art.
Then it was curtain call for “the elephant” and the rest of us. Nick the musician said I was wearing headphones, but they are earmuffs, as I was found at Christmas, and it was cold!
I said thank you to the cast and usher and headed for home, basking in the memory of the lights, music, and applause.
If you are a toy and want to join in the fun here at the Unicorn, ask your human friends to book you in!
And from Louise, who watched the whole show:
The way the team explored the toys they were given and then brought them ‘to life’ in the story was excellent. It is a show that is slightly scary, very funny, and full of invention. The performers – Nisha Anil, Louis Bisson, Nicola Blackwell, Lucy Clarke, and musician Nick Tigg at this performance – are very enthusiastic and friendly.
Who knew different sizes of cardboard boxes and a few projections could bring a whole world to life? In a near-packed house, the children seemed to love it – not just watching out for their own toys, but investing in everything going on.
I’m giving this 5 stars. It’s delightful.
Yout Toys continues at Unicorn Theatre until 12 Apr, including a sensory-adapted performance on 8 Apr at 10.30am. Details here.