If you'd asked me a week ago if a three-year-old would enjoy a trip to the theatre and not want to leave half way through the show then I'd be doubtful.

Keddy Sutton and Anthony Best

Grace has just turned three and doesn't sit still for long in front of the TV, let alone somewhere like the New Wolsey Studio.

I'm pleased to say she was fascinated by Upstairs in the Sky and didn't budge until the show was over. The story is aimed at 3-5 year olds and it was simple and fun.

Posing as delivery workers, Keddy Sutton (Her) and Anthony Best (Him) appeared from behind a black curtain with a large cardboard box. They took bits of coloured cloth, cardboard tubes and more boxes, cotton wool, plastic pots, string and all sort of other bits and bobs out of the large box.

Grace with the 'stairs' from the story

Using these "props" Keddy and Anthony told a story about Princess Veronica and her grandfather King Jim that took you from a tall tower block to the clouds in the sky.

The story sounded like they were making it up as they went along, taking inspiration from the boxes, and bits of cloth.

The result was magical and has made me remember how much fun I used to have as a kid playing with empty cardboard boxes.

The show lasted about 40 minutes and when it was over the audience could play with the "props".

Simple and fun

If you have a three-year-old and were thinking of taking them to a panto, think again! Grace would never have sat through a two hour pantomime, but she loved every minute of Upstairs in the Sky.

She wants to go to the theatre again, and I'll be looking out for more shows aimed at her age group. Who knows maybe we will even go to a traditional panto next year.

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