The Magic Porridge Pot

Interactive theatre. Surely there is no other phrase that brings such an instant chill to the heart of most adults. 

If, however, you’re under the age of five then the innovative approach of Spotlites Theatre Productions is a real delight.

In previous years, the company’s productions of Sleeping Beauty, Treasure Island and Robin Hood have been Fringe sell-outs. This year’s offering, The Magic Porridge Pot, is another classic given a new dimension by encouraging the young audience to get involved with the action onstage.

The cast of three seem genuinely comfortable working with children, and make great effort to engage all members of the audience.  Quieter toddlers are approached individually at various points throughout the show, and asked to get involved by contributing a drawing to a poster, or by holding a simple prop which then becomes part of the scenery. More adventurous kids are invited to run around onstage, and accompany the characters in the performance.

Throughout the play, the dialogue is perhaps overly simple, but there are some great sound and lighting effects, and all three actors make great use of their own physicality. Kelly Johnson in particular, as the cat and old woman, had all the younger children transfixed.

An energetic finale, with a huge flapping parachute to symbolise the ever-expanding sea of porridge, leaves everyone happy and exhausted. A parting gift of a chocolate bar for every child seems an unnecessary addition, but Spotlites deserve credit for proving that interactive theatre is nowhere near as chilling as it sounds.