Anansi the Spider | Regent's Park Open Air Theatre

There's something particularly lovely about introducing children to theatre at a young age and Anansi the Spider at Regent's Park Open Air Theatre feels like exactly the kind of production that can make that first experience memorable. Fun, energetic and packed with music, storytelling and plenty of opportunities for children to get involved, this is a charming 50 minute show that brings traditional West African and Caribbean folk tales to life in a way that feels accessible for a young audience.

Performed during the daytime on the lawn outside the theatre, the setting itself adds to the relaxed and welcoming atmosphere. Rather than asking children to sit quietly in a conventional theatre auditorium for a long period, the production embraces the outdoor environment and creates something that feels more like a shared storytelling experience. It's an especially good introduction to theatre for children who may not have been to a performance before.

At the heart of the show is Anansi, the famous spider and trickster figure from West African and Caribbean folklore. Anansi is clever, mischievous and always looking for a way to outsmart those around him, although his schemes don't always go quite as planned. The production brings together three separate stories, presented as one continuous act, allowing children to discover different sides of this character while keeping the pace moving throughout.

The storytelling is one of the strongest aspects of the production. Three performers take on the role of narrators, but they are far from static storytellers. There is a real sense of energy between them, with the performers rotating roles and constantly shifting between characters and parts of the story. This keeps the stage feeling busy without becoming overwhelming, and there's a lovely sense of playfulness in the way the performers interact with one another.

The journey of Anansi also gives the show a sense of movement and adventure. His travels seem to take him from West Africa across the country and eventually towards what feels like London, giving the stories a loose geographical journey alongside their folklore roots. It's a simple device, but it helps connect the traditional tales to the world the young audience is familiar with.

Music plays a huge part in making the production work. The use of traditional West African musical instruments gives the performance a wonderful rhythmic quality and adds another cultural dimension to the storytelling. Rather than simply being background music, the instruments feel integrated into the action and help give the show its distinctive atmosphere. There's also a great song that children can easily join in with. It's the sort of song that is simple enough for a young audience to pick up quickly, but memorable enough that you can imagine children still singing it after they leave.

The opportunities to participate are important here because they help keep children engaged rather than expecting them to simply sit and watch. You could see how many of the children were completely mesmerised by what was happening in front of them, particularly when the storytelling, music and audience participation came together.

The 50 minute running time is another big advantage. For a children's production, it feels like a very sensible length. There's enough time to tell several stories and give the characters room to develop, but it doesn't push beyond the attention span of a younger audience. The show moves along at a good pace, and there's very little opportunity for it to drag. For parents, that makes it an easy production to fit into a day out, while for children it means the experience remains exciting from beginning to end.

The outdoor daytime setting is also worth highlighting. Watching a children's show on the lawn at Regent's Park gives it a very different atmosphere from a traditional indoor theatre. There's a sense that the performance is part of a bigger day out, and the informal surroundings make the whole experience feel approachable. It seems particularly well suited to families who might be nervous about bringing younger children to the theatre for the first time.

And that, ultimately, is where Anansi the Spider succeeds best. It doesn't feel like a production that is simply trying to entertain children for 50 minutes. It feels like an invitation into the world of theatre. The combination of live performance, music, traditional storytelling, movement and audience participation shows young children just how much fun theatre can be.

The stories themselves also provide a gentle introduction to folklore and storytelling traditions from West Africa and the Caribbean. Anansi is a fascinating central character because he doesn't necessarily win through strength. Instead, his cleverness, wit and ability to think differently allow him to overcome much larger and more powerful characters. That makes him an entertaining figure for children, while also giving the stories a little more to think about beneath the fun and mischief.

The performers deserve a lot of credit for maintaining such a high level of energy throughout. With only three actors, there is a lot for them to do, and the constant switching of roles helps create a much larger world than the size of the cast might suggest. Their enthusiasm is infectious, and it's clear that they understand how to play to a young audience without talking down to them.

Anansi the Spider colourful, musical, interactive and short enough to hold young attention spans, while the outdoor setting makes it feel like a particularly enjoyable summer experience. Whilst it may be aimed primarily at children, there's enough charm and energy here for accompanying adults to enjoy the experience too. Most importantly, it seems to understand that children's theatre doesn't need to be complicated to be effective. Give children a good story, engaging performers, music they can join in with and the freedom to become absorbed in the world being created in front of them, and you have the ingredients for a genuinely enjoyable theatrical experience.

Anansi the Spider plays at Regent's Park Open Air Theatre until 06th September - tickets and more information can be found here.

★★★★☆ (4*)

Gifted tickets in return for an honest review | Photography by Tyler Fayose