REVIEW - ROOM ON THE BROOM | THE LOWRY | 15/04/2025
- Sarah Monaghan
- 2 days ago
- 5 min read
As long-time fans of Julia Donaldson and Axel Scheffler’s magical picture books, my daughter Alice (age 7) and I were beyond excited to hop aboard the broomstick and see Room on the Broom come to life at The Lowry. This book has been a bedtime staple in our house for years — we know every rhyme, every rhythm, and every "Whoosh!" by heart.
What makes Room on the Broom so special is its perfect blend of gentle tension, heartwarming friendship, and just the right amount of silliness. And knowing this production came from Tall Stories — the brilliant company behind The Gruffalo and The Smeds and The Smoos — we knew we were in for something magical. We weren’t wrong!
The story of Room on the Broom is beautifully brought to life in a playful and inventive way that goes beyond a simple page-to-stage adaptation. Rather than diving straight into the well-known tale, the show opens with three hikers preparing to camp out under the moonlight. As they set up their gear and gather around a circular portal — glowing like the moon and edged with broomsticks — they’re startled by the sudden appearance of a flying witch swooping down from the sky. It’s a wonderfully theatrical transition, and from that moment on, the hikers morph into the characters from the book.
From there, the familiar tale unfolds: the kind-hearted Witch and her loyal Cat flying through the sky on a broomstick. But when the wind blows away the Witch’s hat, then her bow, then her wand — they’re forced to land and search. One by one, helpful animals find the lost items and ask for a ride, and the generous Witch always says yes. Before long, the broomstick is overloaded with passengers: a Dog, a Bird, and a Frog!
Of course, something has to give… and it does. The broom snaps in two, sending the gang tumbling into a swamp — and straight into the path of a hungry Dragon who fancies Witch and chips for dinner! But the animals aren’t about to let their friend be eaten. In a brilliant twist that celebrates teamwork and bravery, they save the day and help the Witch conjure up the best broomstick ever, complete with seats, a nest, and even a shower!
The show wraps up full circle, as the hikers return in the final scene, reinforcing the idea that stories can come from anywhere — even a night under the stars. It’s a beautifully structured story, full of repetition that children can join in with, and just the right level of peril to make it exciting without ever being too scary. Alice was completely engrossed, calling out and cheering at all the right moments — and so were all the kids around us.
The set design is full of delightful surprises, bringing Julia Donaldson’s world to life in a way that feels both magical and inventive. As the audience enters, they’re greeted by a moody blue forest scene that instantly sets the tone for adventure. Two large trees flank the stage, but look closer and you’ll spot something enchanting — their branches are made entirely of broomsticks, a clever nod to the show’s title and central theme. This whimsical detail makes it feel like the whole world has been built from magic.
In the centre of the stage stands a large circular portal, edged entirely with broomsticks — a subtle but brilliant touch, glowing with shifting colours that represent everything from a full moon to swirling clouds. It acts as a dynamic focal point throughout the production, drawing the eye and supporting the story with light and colour. Around the stage, log stumps and roots create multi-purpose spaces for the action to unfold.
The lighting design flows beautifully with the pace of the show, using bold colours and gentle transitions to suggest wind, weather, and time of day. Costumes are bright, characterful, and practical. The Witch is instantly recognisable with her whimsical, storybook-inspired outfit: a classic red blouse with puffed sleeves and a purple skirt, accented with sparkly gold detailing. Her look is completed with a sweeping black cape and a tall, floppy black witch’s hat adorned with a large pink flower. Striped tights and sturdy black boots give her a quirky, adventurous feel—perfect for a magical journey through the skies.
The Cat is just as characterful, dressed in a shaggy, textured costume made from layered strips of orange, black, and red fabric that mimic fur while staying vibrant and theatrical. Her hair is styled in two high buns to resemble cat ears, a clever and cute touch that enhances the feline illusion. The look is finished with bright orange polka-dot socks and mismatched laces on classic black hi-top trainers — purr-fectly playful for this loyal and lively companion!
The puppeteers are dressed in neutral tones, which helps keep the focus on the vibrant puppets they manipulate, while still allowing them to remain an engaging and active presence in the action. The puppets don't perfectly match the book illustrations but are beautiful, expertly handled, and bursting with personality, especially the gleeful Frog and the energetic Dog, which was Alice's favourite.
Original music punctuates the story with catchy tunes and playful rhythms, keeping the atmosphere upbeat and highly engaging. Our favourite song was the catchy finale about their new broom — we were singing it all the way home!
The cast of four were full of fizz and fun, switching between characters, puppets and songs with ease. Amy Harris was an endearingly scatty Witch with a big heart and a big voice, while Nadia Shash made a hilariously huffy Cat (rightfully annoyed when everyone else started jumping on her ride!). Dan Armstrong and Joe Lindley were the ultimate puppeteering duo, bringing the Dog, Bird, Frog and Dragon to life with joyful energy and brilliant comic timing.
They struck a perfect balance of exciting the children and guiding them gently back into the story — a real skill in kids’ theatre. At one point, the Dragon burst through the audience and ran right past Alice’s chair — she nearly jumped out of her seat with excitement!
Room on the Broom is everything you could wish for in a family theatre trip: enchanting, interactive and full of laughs. Whether your child is a die-hard Donaldson fan or brand new to the world of magical storytelling, this is a show that will have them wide-eyed and shouting "Whoosh!" all the way home.
It was also a wonderfully sensory-friendly experience — full of bright visuals, fun music, and just the right amount of audience interaction to keep Alice completely engaged without overwhelming her.
Alice gave it two thumbs up and said, “I want to see it again tomorrow!” — and honestly, I’d happily go with her.
A magical ride from beginning to end — hop on the broom while you can, because this show is pure theatrical gold.
Room On The Broom is at The Lowry until Sunday 20th April 2025. Tickets are available for purchase through the link provided below.
If you would like more information about the show, please click the button below to visit the show's official website.
Photo Credit - Charles Flint
*Our tickets for this show were kindly gifted in exchange for an honest review.
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