Review: It Disney just keep young ones happy

Disney Live ****
Playhouse

THE MAGIC of Disney arrived in Edinburgh yesterday, and put big, beaming smiles on the faces of hundreds of children, young and old. For almost an hour and a half they stared, goggle eyed as characters they'd all grown up with came to life right before their eyes.

Not that they sat quietly, mind. Encouraged to cheer, sing, clap and just generally get involved one noisy way or another, they all obliged quite happily. Most of the Mums and Dads just sat back watching it all happen, but several threw poise to the wind and joined in too.

Ooohing and ahhhing as the lights went down, the young audience was treated to several trailers for upcoming Disney TV shows, along with sketches where they were shown how to exercise for fun, combined with a little "chair-dancing". This "Pre-show Party" got everyone warmed up, and ready for the main event.

When Cathy the Postess, the shows' hostess, bounded onstage, everyone cheered and clapped welcoming her. While she was chatting away to the eager audience, her extra large mobile phone began to ring. It turned out that Mickey Mouse wanted to organise a musical party, and he wanted Cathy to deliver some invitations for him.

A few moments later, Cathy and Mickey were re-enacting an old Laurel and Hardy skit, one going through the "in" door, the other through the "out" door of the Post Office. The gag was brand new to most of the audience, so it got the desired laugh.

From there, Cathy travelled through Disneyland, dropping off invitations to a variety of characters from the TV show: The Little Einsteins, Winnie The Pooh and Tigger, together with their new friend, Darby and Handy Manny and his talking tools were all invited to the musical party. The one rule was – they all had to bring some music to the event. The Einsteins jumped into their rocket and trundled off, appearing a few seconds later on the huge screen at the back of the stage, flying through the air in search of music from all around the world.

Winnie The Pooh, Darby and Tigger, the Super-Sleuths, discovered that even nature makes music, so they made up a song in the middle of the hundred acre wood. Handy Manny, the Mexican handyman realised that his talking tools were capable of making percussive musical sounds so, in a great moment of black theatre, huge versions of the tools danced and played music, apparently hanging and bouncing in mid-air.

Opening the second half, two youngsters, Nathan and Sarah found themselves onstage, learning to dance the Hot Dog.

It all got a little much for Nathan, but Sarah danced like she owned the stage. But then it was time for the party, and the surprise guests. Micky brought Minnie Mouse, Donald Duck and Goofy onstage to a huge roar and cheers, and the music and singing began in earnest.

A fabulous show with excellent production, great effects and a very professional cast almost guarantees your little ones will have a magical time. You never know, you might have a little fun too.

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