What a way to end 2024 and bring in the new year than to spend it with Tom Fletcher’s stage adaptation of ‘The Creakers’. Following Lily, the ‘bin girl’ to all the children on the street whose Dad works as a bin man and clears up all the rubbish on Clutter Avenue. One night, there’s a rumble under her bed and in the morning, her dad is nowhere to be seen. Along with the rest of the street’s parents. All the kids are now by themselves, much to their surprise and enjoyment. Lily takes it upon themselves to find out where the parents have gone and how to get them back.
As this show opened, we are introduced to an incredibly interesting and beautiful set, explosive with colour and light and never for a second left a dull moment on stage. The cast enter with the opening number, the characters in this story are loud and hilarious- it was difficult to choose who to watch. I must say that this cast particularly blew me away by the all-round talent and commitment to this piece. The songs were challenging, and it was completely mesmerising watching how effortlessly this cast sung and danced their way through.
As Lily makes her way down, under her bed to rescue her dad she is met with the ‘Creakers’. Performed through puppets, four hilariously daft and wonderful monsters sing and rummage their way through the world. As an adult, it gave me some real childish giggles and for the kids too. Not too scary at all, just a small cheerful fright. The Creakers give meaning to our story although, slightly lost in the multiple messages trying to give. The first message being to recycle your save the world, the second being to find friendship in difference all the while trying to convince the mayor not to implode Lily’s home. Slightly confusing in the leap towards the end however, very fun and heartfelt with the songs to match.
The songs, no doubt were my favourite moments through this story. Rock inspired, emotional and so hard not to dance along to. It’s really hard to say anything negative about the musical element because it was all just so enjoyable.
Definitely a show not to miss this season at the Southbank centre, a beautiful story of love and recycling and more so just a really lovely show to have a laugh with the family to.
Reviewer: Alice Rose
Reviewed: 31st December 2024
North West End UK Rating: