Bed Bug Zoo

Sweet, visually fascinating and whimsical, Bed Bug Zoo is a little charmer of a show with lovely messages of friendship and facing your fears. Gorgeous puppets and some lovely storytelling in this new work.

Mia, a school girl with some anxieties, needs to stay overnight at Mrs Mortien’s boarding house, as an “emergency case”. While she is not afraid of monsters under the bed, she finds herself face to face with some fascinating escaped crypto-entomology.

The puppets are beautifully designed, and the operation by all of the cast is heartfelt and organic. Hannah Jade Keppler is delightful as central character Mia, and her interaction with the puppets is sincere and helps to bring them to life. Jack Churchman voices and operates the grasshopper-like Mr Tettigon, an audience favourite and deservedly so. Nikitta Narmolanya puppeteers a variety of characters with skill, with her Dung Beetle being especially fun. Daisy Churchman, a beautifully centred puppeteer, plays the lovely Muriel and wrangles flies like a pro. Suzannah Churchman brings lovely character to boarding house proprietor Mrs Mortien between bringing a variety of bugs to life.

Simply set, there is lots of theatrical magic, aided by lighting designed by John Woolrych and sound by John Spurling.

Unlike most of the children’s shows around at the moment, this one (interestingly like Spare Parts’ The Little Prince) is not loud or potentially overwhelming. Designed for families with children ages from 7, observation today showed that pre-schoolers and babes-in-arms were equally intrigued. All proceeds from Bed Bug Zoo go to Bush Fire Relief, so you are doing a favour to charity while having a great time.

This is a warm hug of a show that is perfect for all ages.

Kimberley Shaw

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