Burton Mail

Caterpilla­r show to entertain the festive audiences

A THEATRICAL PERFORMANC­E OF ERIC CARLE’S CLASSIC

- By JULIE CROUCH julie.crouch@reachplc.com

ONE of the most iconic characters in children’s literature will wiggle its way to Burton for a Christmas show.

Following multiple seasons in London and New York, The Very Hungry Caterpilla­r Christmas Show will play festive performanc­es at Brewhouse Arts Centre, in Union Street, from Thursday, December 1, to Sunday, December 4.

A theatrical recreation of Eric Carle’s classic imaginativ­e stories, The Very Hungry Caterpilla­r Show has become a global hit.

They feature four master puppeteers who weave their way through Carle’s stories, bringing to life 75 puppets in a magical show that faithfully recreates the wonderfull­y colourful world of Carle’s illustrati­ons, said a spokespers­on.

The Very Hungry Caterpilla­r Christmas Show features four classic titles – Brown Bear, 10 Little Rubber Ducks, the festive tale Dream Snow and, of course, The Very Hungry Caterpilla­r.

Carle’s books have captivated generation­s of readers with their iconic hand-painted illustrati­ons and distinctiv­ely simple stories, introducin­g millions of children to his bright world, and to their first experience of reading itself, the spokespers­on said.

Carle has illustrate­d more than 70 books, most of which he also wrote, and more than 169 million copies of his books have sold around the world.

His best-known work, The Very Hungry Caterpilla­r, has nibbled its way into the hearts of millions of children all over the world, and in 2019 celebrated its 50th anniversar­y. Since it was first published in 1969, it has been translated into 62 languages and sold over 54 million copies, remaining one of the top ten best-selling children’s books of all time.

The Hungry Caterpilla­r Christmas Show is created by Jonathan Rockefelle­r and presented by MEI Worldwide, one of the leading independen­t producers of live family entertainm­ent across Europe, the Asia-pacific and EMEA.

Recent production­s include The Very Hungry Caterpilla­r Show (West End and UK Tour), Twirlywoos Live! (Underbelly Festival and UK Tour) and Sarah and Duck’s Big Top Birthday (Polka Theatre and UK Tour).

The cast of actor-puppeteers includes Karyn Claydon, Katie Haygarth, Ben Murrell, Jonathan Norman, Amberrose Perry and Adam Ryan.

The Very Hungry Caterpilla­r Christmas Show first premiered in Australia in 2015 before opening in New York at the Acorn Theatre in January 2016.

The production broke box office records and attracted celebritie­s with families, including Chelsea Clinton, Emily Blunt, Neil Patrick Harris and Diane Sawyer. The show had its West End premiere at the Ambassador­s Theatre in December 2016, and has since played multiple seasons in London.

Performanc­es at the Brewhouse will be at 10.30am, 1.30pm and 4.30pm. Tickets cost £12 to £16, or £52 for a family. Visit the box office at http://www. brewhouse.co.uk/events/very-hungrycate­rpillar-christmas-show, or call 01283 508100.

 ?? PAMELA RAITH ?? One of the most iconic characters in children’s literature will wiggle its way to Burton for a Christmas show, following multiple seasons in London and New York
PAMELA RAITH One of the most iconic characters in children’s literature will wiggle its way to Burton for a Christmas show, following multiple seasons in London and New York

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