Hairline review - 2012

The Elves and the Shoemaker2012, 5 stars, Children’s showsVenue: Scottish Storytelling Centre From the very beginning of being seated, right up to the final goodbye, this is a captivating and delightful performance which younger children will love. ‘The Elves and the Shoemaker’ is full of fun little songs, amusingly cute puppets, feel tapping music and naturally… shoes! Elvis Schumacker III (Andy Lawrence) is the enthusiastic narrator, and along with his pet mouse-Cornelius, he makes full use of the excellent workshop set to guide the audience through this well-known tale. The set is full of its own wonders too – with plenty of hiding spots for puppets, doors revealing surprises and everything looking distinctively hand made. The puppetry is beautiful and plentiful, and with Lawrence’s superb storytelling skills, all the children in the audience stay fully engaged. The show has plenty of participation to keep everyone involved, and Lawrence runs through the audience on occasion to ensure even those sitting in the back feel included. Even managing to introduce ideas about small independent retailers battling against their larger, factory driven rivals, the show does not fail to impress. It is all down to the details – the care taken in crafting the puppets and the set, the jokes scattered throughout the performance for the adults to enjoy, the giant foot measuring tool to welcome you into the workshop as you got seated…..it has all been carefully considered for your full enjoyment. If you have young children, this is a delightful show not to be missed. 5/5 Lizzy Treacy