![\"\"](\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/theblurb.com.au\/wp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/05\/rsz_bear.jpg?resize=560%2C373&ssl=1\")
In the first instance, we are introduced to a range of animals with the line: \u201cWhat do you see?\u201d\u00a0We go from a brown bear to a red bird, a yellow duck to a blue horse, before being introduced to a green frog, a purple cat, a white dog, a black sheep and a goldfish.\u00a0So, in that way the youngsters get a fun lesson in colours and creatures.<\/p>\n
Next up comes the rubber duck machine that churns out \u2026 you guessed it, yellow rubber ducks.\u00a0These are packed in lots of 10 and shipped to faraway places.\u00a0A storm at sea results in one of the boxes being flung overboard. The box opens and the rubber ducks in it are now separated, bobbing around in the ocean, before drifting in different directions.\u00a0There they encounter sea life in the form of a dolphin, seal, polar bear, flamingo, pelican, turtle, octopus, seagull, whale and a duck with its ducklings.\u00a0A cute finale to that little story beckons and the life lesson for the kiddies is about directions and more animals.<\/p>\n
A tale about a spider spinning a web while being greeted by farmyard animals is next on the agenda.\u00a0In this case, the busy arthropod is prevailed upon by a horse, cow, sheep, goat, pig, dog, cat, duck, rooster and owl.\u00a0The spider traps a fly and there ends a very busy day.<\/p>\n
![\"\"](\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/theblurb.com.au\/wp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/05\/rsz_spider.jpg?resize=560%2C315&ssl=1\")
<\/p>\n
The grand finale concerns the name of the show \u2013 the very hungry caterpillar.\u00a0It begins life in an egg on a leaf, breaking through the shell to emerge with a voracious appetite.\u00a0We move through a week during which it forages for food \u2013 one red apple on Monday, two green pears on Tuesday, three purple plums on Wednesday, four red strawberries on Thursday and five oranges on Friday.\u00a0But the caterpillar remains hungry and Saturday it appears to gorge on anything within sight.\u00a0No wonder it ends up with a bad tummy.\u00a0But, as we know, caterpillars metamorphosize, as does this one, into a beautiful butterfly.\u00a0So, the children present learn about days of the week, colours and the gifts of nature.<\/p>\n
Behind it all is soothing and stirring music (music and sound is by Nate Edmonson) and clear, beautifully rounded words by the three artistes, dressed the same in white overalls, white t-shirts and white trainers.\u00a0I speak of Tina Jackson, Eleanor Stankiewicz and Christopher Vernon, whose pronunciation is exemplary.<\/p>\n
![\"\"](\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/theblurb.com.au\/wp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/05\/rsz_caterpillar_with_food.jpg?resize=560%2C373&ssl=1\")
<\/p>\n
The backdrop is three uneven panels with some \u201ctrap\u201d doors (the scenic design is by David Goldstein) onto which is shone (initially) a kaleidoscope of colours.\u00a0Clearly, the production has been carefully crafted by Jonathon Rockefeller with tiny tots in mind and it hits the mark magnificently.\u00a0Shrieks of joy and laughter abound.\u00a0Eric Carle\u2019s beloved book The Very Hungry Caterpillar has sold in excess of 45 million copies. I dare say after seeing this show (which is a ripper) that number will continue to rise, as well it should.<\/p>\n