BWW Reviews: HETTY FEATHER, Crucible, Sheffield, 17 June 2014

Hetty Feather, the stage adaptation of Jacqueline Wilson's popular novel, is currently part-way through a UK tour. The production, adapted by Emma Reeves and directed by Sally Cookson, employs a creative mix of music, dance and circus skills in its telling of Hetty's story. Hetty Feather (not, as she is keen to point out, her real name) is a sparky young redheaded foundling in Victorian England. After being fostered in infancy, she is transferred, along with her foster brothers, to a foundling hospital for the duration of her childhood. Her situation is bleak, but Hetty is not - she has a plan and a destiny - she's going to get out and join the circus.

The company of six actors and two musicians all take on multiple roles in Hetty's story (except Hetty herself, played throughout by the fantastic Phoebe Thomas) with swift and effective costume changes that had my eight-year-old companion pondering how they managed to change costume so fast. The performance makes great use of circus skills to tell not only the story of Hetty's relationship with the circus, but many other incidents. It is no mean feat that the performers manage to clearly deliver lines, songs and speeches whilst swinging through hoops, clambering up ropes or climbing ladders.

The story is a lot of fun but also deals with some very serious and occasionally sad topics - a hallmark of Jacqueline Wilson's work, as many will know. The performers do a fantastic job at embodying the different characters and eliciting laughter, sadness and anger from the audience at appropriate moments. Some of the circus stunts are also spectacular and had many of the kids in the audience enraptured. Indeed, when asked for her comments on the production, my young friend summed it up by saying 'it was EPIC'.

This is a sensitive, fun and well-paced production that can provoke a lot of discussion about the issues raised and the differences between the Victorian age and now. It's suitable for anyone from junior school/KS2 upwards - although the running time of 2 hours 20 minutes (including a 20-minute interval) might be offputting for some, at least on a midweek night (in Sheffield the show starts at 7pm). However, this is not just for kids - adults will also be captivated by the clever production and the engaging cast - whilst Phoebe Thomas shines as Hetty, the whole cast and both musicians are equally wonderful. Recommended.

Hetty Feather is at the Crucible, Sheffield until 21 June and then at the Vaudeville Theatre, London, Aug 5 - Sep 6. Details at: http://www.hettyfeatherlive.com/