Reviewed by Lucy and Adelaide Davies

Opening Night verdict ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Dear Zoo has to be one of the best loved children’s books of the century.  2017 marked its 35th anniversary, and Dear Zoo shows no sign of losing its appeal, remaining a firm favourite in schools, nurseries and homes across the country. The question is, would a stage adaptation of this classic be able to live up to Dear Zoo’s legacy? The answer is a resounding yes. The show has managed to create the same sense of captivation that the book does, with some added bonus moments that have children in the audience jumping up and down in their seats!

The show tells the story of a young boy, Ben, who writes a letter to the zoo asking them to send him a pet. Alongside his friend Sally, he eagerly awaits a response. To his surprise, and occasionally his horror, what follows is a series of ‘special deliveries’ from zookeeper Sam. Each animal that arrives is hugely entertaining, but just not quite right for Ben to keep as a pet — until the very end, when all of Ben’s dreams come true…

One of the highlights of this production is its audience engagement, which is perfectly pitched to a younger audience. From the moment the play begins, our zookeeper, Sam, creates an almost pantomime-style atmosphere, encouraging the audience to shout out answers before pretending not to be able to hear them. From the outset, the mini theatre-goers are hooked, and the excitement is palpable. This interaction only intensifies as the story continues, giving children the chance to jump up and down like frogs, join in with some incredibly catchy songs and recite lines from the book itself. It ensures that even the youngest spectators remain captivated from start to finish.

Another, more unexpected, standout feature of the show is the subtle learning opportunities embedded throughout. While the book tells us that the lion is “too fierce” and the camel “too grumpy”, the play really unpacks this vocabulary in a fun and engaging way. The animal puppets sing songs that help young children understand what these words mean, while making them laugh at the same time. When the ‘animals’ aren’t singing, they can be seen bouncing around the stage or popping up to playfully scare the spectators. It’s fantastic to see the words of the book being brought to life in such an entertaining and memorable way.

All in all, this is a must-see show for families, especially if your child is a fan of the book. As an introduction to theatre, Dear Zoo, just like Ben’s final pet, is absolutely “perfect”!

Adelaide’s Comment (delivered as if she was writing a letter)  “Dear Zoo, you were lovely today.  I would make a heart and deliver it to Dear Zoo.”

Dear Zoo is on at The Lowry until Sunday 16tg August tickets are available here