MR TUMBLE is the star of Cbeebies’ inclusive TV show Something Special and actor Justin Fletcher who plays Mr Tumble will be familiar face to anyone with kids. The loveable clown ruled the Cbeebies schedule with the activity series and its spin-offs for over a decade. Yet just when you think you’ve reached peak Tumble (or Fletcher, for that matter), this new MIF stage show comes along - and it’s a smasher.

It’s a gentle riot that speaks directly to its target audience of 2-5 year olds...

Starting with baby Tumble, and moving on to his school years, we learn how Mr Tumble got his trademark spotty bag, pink bow tie and red nose. The story’s told through song and dance numbers and a bright set, decked in stars and dots. Cannons cover the audience with golden tape at one point, and there are familiar songs like the Wheels on the Bus and Walking on Sunshine that kids and parents will enjoy singing together. A particularly funny interlude sees Old MacDonald... sung in the style of the Three Tenors. All in all, it’s a gentle riot that speaks directly to its target audience of 2-5 year olds – but with just enough fun for parents to get into the right frame of mind.

Fletcher’s performance is pleasantly understated while Ronni Ancona (from TV’s The Big Impression) is well cast as wicked headmistress, Miss Eerie. New characters join the fray too. Disney Channel graduate, Samantha Dorrance, is charming as wannabe clown, Tootsie, while shy Shelley is played with comic perfection by Lizzie Franks.

Ancona, Fletcher and BrentonAncona, Fletcher and Brenton

Much of the show is performed by the actors using the Makatron sign language system that’s the trademark of TV’s Something Special. There is a guide in the programme, depicting how to sign ‘hello’ and ‘how are you’ and four signing choirs, drawn from schools in Manchester and the surrounding area, invite the audience to join in singing and signing at the end. In fact, the only bit that doesn’t work is a ‘scratch and sniff’ card that kids are supposed to play with during the show – but it’s too dark to see which coloured spots we are supposed to scratch.

Previous MIF kids shows have seen the Town Hall transformed into an interactive paradise and immersive theatre specialists Punch Drunk riffing on a Dr Who theme in a specially constructed set in MediaCity. The Tale of Mr Tumble isn’t as immediately appealing to parents as earlier creations, but there’s little doubt that writer/director Will Brenton and Fletcher have created a piece of inclusive theatre that’s winningly natural. The test was my two-year-old twins, who’d never been to an auditorium before and who sat still and transfixed for the full 90 minutes. There are also a number of ‘relaxed’ performances for those who might need a little more freedom to move around. 

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The Tale Of Mr Tumble runs at Manchester Opera House until Sunday 19 July.

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