How the Koala Learnt to Hug (Southampton)

How The Koala Learned To Hug has been adapted and is performed by Steven Lee from his own book, of the same name and tells the story of a grumpy little koala bear, called Natascha, who learns the value of giving a hug to someone in need.

A charming little story is played out with cute puppets, and Lee engages with and delights the little ones with plenty of audience participation; singing, dancing, blowing bubbles and of course hugging. He chases his grumpy little hero through the audience and has the kids quite literally eating out of hands.

With two cute reggae singing beavers chewing up and destroying the forest, a sad little eucalyptus tree is left all alone, and Natascha has to stop it crying. A simple story, effectively told, and which delights the very little ones. Lee even passes round his own childhood koala companion for the kids to hug, which is a nice touch.

Doting Mums and Dads will need to take a few pennies along to these shows, as there are plenty of merchandising opportunities, not least the book itself, which the author is pleased to sign at the end of the performance.

- by Simon Cole