Based on the hit cartoon series, which celebrates its 20th anniversary next year, anyone who has watched one of the five-minute episodes should know what they are getting into with Peppa Pig's Fun Day Out.
For this outing I'm joined by my three-year-old Peppa Pig loving son, who straight away spots the merch stand as you enter the theatre. £13 down and armed with yet another plush pig, I and my booster-seated companion settle down in the beautifully ornate setting surrounded by a sea of excited young faces ready to see their hero on stage.
We are old hands at this now, this being our second Peppa Pig live experience, having seen last year's Peppa Pig's Best Day Ever; this new show, with a one hour and 20 minute runtime, including an interval, follows a similar format.
Proceedings are led by Peppa's spirited human friend Daisy (Zinny Udala), who joins the anthropomorphic pig and her friends, brought to life through brilliantly clever puppetry, as they cram an impressive amount into 24 hours. A fun day out indeed, if slightly exhausting.
First stop is the zoo, where nobody even questions the notion of animals visiting animals. Here, they feed penguins and also meet butterflies and reptiles, followed by owls and bats who swoop over the delighted audience.
Next up is the beach, where Peppa and Daddy Pig encounter a friendly whale, along with various other denizens of the deep as they go swimming in the sea.
Lastly, they throw a surprise birthday party for Peppa's best friend Suzie Sheep, where they are joined by special guest Father Christmas.
The action is both engaging and interactive for very little ones, with plenty of opportunities for audience participation, singing and dancing.
Be prepared though – if you're in the stalls you might get wet. Peppa's little brother George is prone to tearful outbursts, which shoot across the audience and there's also someone aiming a water gun at unsuspecting audience members. The up side is you are also in a prime position to experience the falling snow as the show reaches its Christmassy climax.
For buggy users, it’s important to note that the Theatre Royal Haymarket’s foyer is small and there’s no buggy park inside. Instead, you need to drop it off and pick it up from a door outside next to the box office, so get there early and be aware that queues can be long and aren’t sheltered from the elements. To avoid this, they advise getting another member of your party to slip out early at the end of the show, but when it's just you and a toddler, what can you do?
If you're looking for a fun, festive treat, Peppa and her pals tick all of the boxes and it's a great younger alternative to the traditional pantomime. After the curtain came down for the final time my little one was already asking to see it again.
