When it comes to children’s theatre the Lincoln Theatre Royal has really excelled itself this year, attracting some very popular and well known shows to the city.

However I have to say Andy and Mike’s Big Box of Bananas has proved to be my three-year-old son’s favourite so far.

Starring the much loved CBeebies presenter Andy Day and his comedy partner Mike James the plot centres around the antics of two flatmates and the adventures they encounter whilst looking for the password get into the mysterious box which arrives via Andy’s Mum.

It’s a fast-paced, very silly and exceptionally funny show which right from the very start has members of the audience up on stage (parents be warned).

Drawing inspiration from many topical references parents will find amusing (including the highly entertaining take on Ant and Dec entitled ‘Sunken Wreck’) the result is a polished and very amusing production that kids just adore and which leaves the adults entertained as well.

It has everything kids love – superheroes, pirates, jokes about pants, loads of audience participation (very pantoesque) – all rolled into a fun-packed hour and half (with the obligatory 20-minute loo and ice cream break!).

Andy and Mike are two very talented performers who engage with both kids and adults superbly. I hope to see more of the two working together in the future as they are very, very funny.

After the show they met their fans to sign autographs, pose for photos and say hello.

My little three-year-old had been looking forward to meeting CBeebies’ Andy for the past week, and he was not disappointed – he was even kind enough to answer the question that had been on his lips for the whole show: “Andy, what time do you go to bed?”

Following the success of my three-year-old’s first visit to the theatre a few weeks ago, I decided to take him to see the production of Wind in the Willows at Lincoln Theatre Royal. Armed with our supply of sweets, drinks and wet wipes we set off on Wednesday morning to see Ratty, Mole, Badger and Mr Toad.

The theatre wasn’t as full as it had been for the CBeebies production of ‘Show Me, Show Me’ which didn’t really surprise me as CBeebies is so popular. And the audience was mainly made up of schoolchildren – I would even say that my son was the youngest in the audience. Needless to say he was still excited, and when the lights dimmed for the curtain to rise I could hear his little gasps of excitement!

I on the other hand  was initially quite surprised – and a little disappointed. Don’t ask me why but I had been expecting to see actual animals – or rather people that were dressed as animals – so I was a bit taken aback to see – well just people !

However this didn’t bother DS who once again sat through the first half memorised by the characters, and the songs etc. And I have to say as the show got into full swing, my disappointment for non-animal costumes (!) began to wane.

For me the star of the show was Mr Toad, a charismatic, funny actor who brought the stage to life. Mole it has to be said reminded me of Daphne from Fraiser (or at least his voice did – think of an East Grinstead accent mimicking a Manchester one for the sake of a US comedy show!). However all of the cast played their parts very well and the audience seemed to be enjoying themselves.

When it came to half time we went out into the foyer to eat our packed lunch, but DS was anxious that we would miss the second part, so kept nipping back into the theatre hall to make sure it hadn’t started again without him.

The second half of the performance left the audience clapping for more, and all of the children were clearly delighted when the actors came into the audience to shake hands with everyone in the finale.

I was never a theatregoer before I started working for LoveLincoln.co.uk, but I have to say seeing my three-year-old son’s enthusiasm and sheer delight for both of the shows we have seen recently has got me thinking that this is a great way to spend time with young children. It’s far more interactive than the cinema or just watching TV. I shall certainly be taking him again – and would encourage other parents to try the theatre out too. I think you will be pleasantly surprised!

Chris and Pui

As a mum of a three-year-old boy (DS or Dear Son as those who regularly frequent parenting forums will be familiar with) I am constantly looking for things to entertain him that don’t cost the earth.

We are lucky to live in one of Lincolnshire’s nicest villages, just a few miles from the city, which is a lovely place to bring up a family. We have access to miles of country walks, with farm animals etc on our doorstep. However, when it comes to actual activities for children (apart from the usual toddler groups etc) I do sometimes feel that Lincoln does lack a great deal of things to do – in particular for little ones.

Therefore I have been encouraged to see the new management of the Lincoln Theatre Royal actively trying to engage with children by staging some great family productions this year.

CBeebies is BIG in our house. To be frank it’s a Godsend and often enables me to shower, wash up, work, speak on the phone (not necessarily in that order) whilst DS sits down for 20 minutes or so to watch Mr Tumble or the very popular Chris and Pui (if you have children under five, believe me, you will know who I am referring to!). So I was genuinely excited when I heard they were bringing their Show Me Show Me show to Lincoln.

Having roped a friend into bringing her two-year-old along as well for moral support in case of the inevitable tantrum (it’s always good to have back-up in these situations) we headed up to the Theatre Royal on Wednesday afternoon with two very excitable boys.

My friend had brought along her buggy which was taken away to be ‘valet parked buggy style’ by a member of staff, which was nice as often places don’t take these things into account. We stocked up on goodies and did the inevitable loo trips before we settled down into our seats in the stalls. The place was packed! It’s a long time since I have seen so many little ones in one place, along with a whole array of teddies, dolls, Buzz Lightyears, Peppa Pigs etc.

I was slightly worried as to how long my boy would be content to watch before he wanted to run off or investigate these strange surroundings. He has the attention span of a gnat, and sitting still is not in his vocabulary, so I was half expecting to leave halfway through – especially when we learned the show lasted for an hour and 45 minutes!

I needn’t have worried. DS was mesmerised from start to finish, as were all of the children in the room. Chris and Pui were actually brilliant! With lots of singing, dancing, clapping and jokes they had the whole room singing along! I swear my friend’s DS was so excited at one point and dancing in such a frenzy he reminded me of his mum at a rave circa 1989!

This was DS’s first visit to a theatre and it has definitely encouraged me to take him along to many more productions. I have to say I enjoyed it as well. Thanks Chris and Pui. Please come back soon!