WHEN we were greeted by a bunch of children brandishing SOP banners, I wondered just how much fun this show would be for our two reviewers - Jack, five, and an experienced theatre-goer, and his three-year-old friend Luc, who was on his first trip to a show.

But we discovered SOP stood for Save Our Pier, and the little ones soon got into the swing of booing and hissing, cheering and clapping, and chanting SOP with the passion of future protesters, led by the very determined Wendy Weir.

The show is based around the hapless Mr Sandy Shell, who needs to find his box of tricks from the bottom of the sea and perform the magic spell to save the pier. After winning the youngsters' trust by pretending to be shy of children, Mr Shell had plenty of young fans rooting for him.

The baddie of the show was the 'orrible Council Inspector Hector Fludd, who was so scary in his black top hat and cape that he drove a tearful Luc from the theatre. Luckily, Charlie the caretaker saved the day, with his bright and breezy jokes and the slapstick bumping into people and falling over. Even putting up a deckchair was an ordeal for Charlie, but he got a lot of laughs and Luc returned to enjoy the performance.

Jack loved the jokes and has been asking everyone what you call someone who sleeps at the bottom of the sea? (A kipper). Meanwhile, Luc was very struck by Charlie grappling with the giant octopus. Children were keen to take part in the magic tricks on stage and at the end of the show they all got to shake Mr Spell's hand.

This was a colourful and fun production by Magic Carpet Theatre, a feelgood start to the summer holidays.

*At Darlington Arts Centre on August 10, 11am and 2.30pm Box office (01325) 486555

Published: 28/05/2005