Gabby's Dollhouse Live

Five years and 86 episodes in, Gabby's Dollhouse is going from strength to strength. With branded items aplenty swamping the tweenager market, a feature-length film, a theme park ride and a console game all crafted in the wake of it's success, it is little surprise that the Utilita Arena is buzzing with anticipation for the matinee performance of Gabby's Dollhouse Live, which is currently making its way around the UK.

As the Friendship Festival looms, Gabby and her feline friends are keen to grow a rainbow tree. In order to sort, they need first to complete a challenge. What initially seems straightforward - catching the colours of a rainbow, is made more complicated when one of her friends makes a whoopsie and sends the rainbow colours spiralling around the Dollhouse.

With a song and a dance, Gabby shrinks to fit into her Dollhouse to capture the rainbow one colour at a time. With songs and dances crafted for each step of the journey, this is a truly enjoyable experience for both the tweenagers and their accompanying adults.

Borrowing from the timeless Panto tradition, there are moments of 'it's behind you' and dance routines to copy. Therefore, it is little surprise that the little ones move between the bewildered state of enjoyment, staring at their favourite characters on stage, making friends with the old children around and dancing in the aisles at each moment.

With clever puppetry, an easy-to-follow story and a captivated audience, this is a tour that is an easy win. Faithful characterisations are perfectly delivered by the skilled cast who share every moment of their journey. As the streamers fill the skies to mark the close of the show, the friendship festival on stage is mirrored by new friendships made in the audience over a mutual love of a very enjoyable set of characters.

April 14 - First Direct Arena, Leeds
April 26 - M&S Bank Arena, Liverpool
April 28 - Utilita Arena, Sheffield
May 1 - Utilita Arena, Newcastle upon Tyne