The Great Big Dinosaur Show is a joyous, riotous celebration of all things prehistoric, and my four-year-old granddaughter absolutely adored every minute of it. From the moment we took our seats, we knew we were in for a treat. The atmosphere was electric, with children buzzing with excitement, eagerly awaiting what was to come. And it did not disappoint.
Led by poet Simon Mole and musician Gecko it is loosely based on Simon’s book of the same name. The show was a delightful mix of storytelling, comedy, and music, all cleverly designed to engage young audiences (and their accompanying grown-ups!) without relying on technology or flashy gimmicks. Right from the start, audience participation was encouraged, and the performers had a wonderful knack for making every child feel involved. Nobody was told to shush, the house lights were frequently up and it was just the sort of half term treat all those in attendance needed at 11am on a cold Monday morning. My granddaughter was captivated, and whilst she left the enthusiastic shouting out answers, and waving of arms to the more confident around her she was more than happy to clap when needed and to dance in her seat.
One of the highlights of the show was the way Simon and Gecko spontaneously made up songs based on the children’s suggestions. At one point, they invited the audience to name their favourite dinosaurs, and within moments, they had crafted a catchy tune featuring about a Footballosaurus! The songs were funny, clever, and easy for little ones to pick up, and before long, the entire theatre was singing along.
But it wasn’t just about the music, there was plenty of comedy, too. The performers had a brilliant rapport with the audience, expertly balancing silliness with genuinely engaging storytelling. There were moments of slapstick humour that had the children howling with laughter, alongside fascinating dinosaur facts that even some of the adults might not have known. The mix of education and entertainment was pitch-perfect, and my granddaughter came away with a head full of new dinosaur knowledge.
Another brilliant aspect of the show was its interactive elements. There were moments when the children were encouraged to get up, stomp like dinosaurs, and even take part in a little bit of on-stage fun. We even had to shout and roar to scare off the imaginary dinosaurs chasing those on stage. Watching my granddaughter enthusiastically pretending to be a roaring T-Rex was joyful.
The energy never dipped, and the hour flew by in a whirlwind of music, laughter, and dinosaur-themed mayhem. By the time the show came to an end, my granddaughter was still bouncing with excitement, talking non-stop about her favourite bits. She even insisted on singing one of the songs all the way home which made a change from the usual Disney show tunes in the car!
The Great Big Dinosaur Show is a perfect example of children’s theatre done right. It’s lively, engaging, and full of heart, striking that wonderful balance between entertainment and education. The performers clearly love what they do, and their enthusiasm is infectious. Whether your little one is a dinosaur fanatic or just loves a good singalong, this is a show that will keep them thoroughly entertained.
If you get the chance to see it, I can’t recommend it highly enough. My granddaughter is already asking when we can go again, and to be honest, I’d happily go too!
For tickets and a full list of venues where Simon is performing see here