Interactive Show Making Theatre Accessible To Kids

Super Chefs is an interactive, upbeat production currently touring the UK aiming to make theatre accessible for all.

The production follows the tale of 6-year-old Manny, who is bursting with excitement at the thought of preparing a welcome home dinner for his dad Tony, who’s been away. Together with his mum – professional chef Valeria – his granny Abuela Alma, and his superhero toy Mighty Mujer, he’s planning to cook a family meal of arepas, guacamole, and a delicious Brigadeiro dessert. Conflict arises when Abuela says she would rather Manny go and play with his toys than help in the kitchen because she thinks it’s ‘a woman’s place’.  Manny feels differently and wants to be a professional chef when he grows up. But can he convince her?

Each show is only 50-minutes long – making it the perfect first introduction to the dazzling world of theatre for youngsters. I was invited to watch the show at the Polka Theatre with my family and we were impressed from the moment we sat down.  The show is fast paced and simple enough for young children to understand, but engaging enough to entertain grown-ups too.  Although this bilingual show is aimed at 4 to 8-year-olds, my 12-year-old found it entertaining and even learnt some new Spanish phrases. 

The best part of the show is that it is very interactive. The cast venture into the audience numerous times to chat and even offer hand gel to highlight the importance of having clean hands when cooking. Audience members can also handle dough balls , which are made of gluten free rice flour, and are even offered tortilla chips and guacamole to eat the at the end of the performance. 

The show features many high-energy and original songs that gets the audience dancing in aisles, including a rap about guacamole!  My 5-year-old could not believe his luck when he was given a red apron to wear and a giant tomatoes to play with as part of one of the songs in the show. 

I loved that this show allows children to be children. They are able to talk to the actors, laugh as loudly as they can, and shout out words in Spanish. 

The show has been cast well. The star of the show is Juan Galeano, who perfectly captures the innocence and tantrums of 6-year-old Manny.

Tickets are around £14 but concessions are available. 

2024 AUTUMN TOUR DATES:

19^th October – Wardrobe Theatre, Papaya Fest, BRISTOL, 11:00. 

20^th October – Cambridge Junction, CAMBRIDGE, 11:30 and 14:00 

28^th October – Brixton House, LONDON, 11:00 and 14:00

30^th October – Southwark Heritage Centre and Walworth Library, LONDON, 10:30

1^st November – The Montgomery Theatre & Arts Centre, SHEFFIELD, 11:00 and 13:30. 

2^nd November – Sutton Family Hub, Wonder Arts, ST HELENS MERSEYSIDE, 11:00 and 14:00

3^rd November – Midlands Arts Centre, BIRMINGHAM, 11:30 and 14:30

7^th-9^th November – Half Moon Theatre, LONDON, various times

17^th November – Friargate Theatre, YORK, 11:00 and 13:30. 

Tips to ensure your children enjoys any theatre show: 

1. Chat about the show – Prepare your child for a show by talking to them about it and what they should expect from the performance. Remember to explain the storyline to your child and see if there are any video clips of the show that you can watch together online. Tell them if there will be singing and dancing and warn them that it could be loud.
2. Consider your child’s individual needs –  Always keep your own child’s specific requirements in mind when booking a theatre trip. Make sure you research the show beforehand because some children may not enjoy particular scenes. If your child naps in the middle of the day, then opt for a morning show. If your child is energetic, then do not insist that they stay in their seat for the whole show. Let them get up and dance when it is appropriate. But if your child struggles with loud noises, then take some ear defenders to stop them getting anxious. 
3. Plan your arrival – Avoid unnecessary stress by giving your family plenty of time to get to the venue, park the car, and go to the toilet before the show starts. Try to be there about 15 minutes before the beginning of a performance. This means that if  your child needs a cushion to help them see better, then you have ample time to find an usher and request one. Remember that theatres usually have a limited supply of booster seats that are first-come, first-serve. So, the earlier you arrive, the more likely you are to get one. Also, if you are bringing a buggy, then arriving early will mean that you can easily find the theatre’s cloakroom to safely store your pushchair for the duration of the show.
4. Book the right seats for your child – If your child likes to move about a lot or if you think your child may want or need to get out of their seat more than others then select a seat that is on the aisle and close to the exit. But if your child likes to be in the action then select seats that are closer to the stage. Simple things like this will help improve your child’s comfort and enjoyment.
5. Don’t forget to pack snacks – You can either  bring or buy food and drink in case your children get hungry during the performance.

• For more theatre reviews by Belle About Town, click here.