In Birmingham Hippodrome’s Patrick Studio this winter is a charming woodland story with a twist in the tail - No Such Thing As Wolves. It’s the latest creation in the Hippodrome’s home-grown ‘My First Musical’ series, and promises a delightful musical adventure for audiences aged three and upwards. 

Directed by Emily Ling Williams, the story concerns Hettie (Faye Campbell) and her dad, Harry (Matthew Rutherford), a pair of Hedgehogs getting ready for hibernation - but Hettie is such a bundle of energy that she can’t sleep. In a bid to keep her dreams sweet, Harry has told a few fibs - like explaining that all animals hibernate in the winter, or that in spite of the evidence in Hettie’s storybooks, there’s no such thing as wolves…

Just as Hettie settles down to sleep, Sydney the squirrel arrives. Sydney (Beth O’Rorke) - who Hettie is convinced is a superhero - is ready to have fun, and convinces the Hedgehogs to have a party. However, an invitation makes its way to a pair of Wolves living in the forest, Wiffy (Oliver Sidney) and Woofy (Elinor Peregrin). The wolves are out to prove that they’re a cut above the wolves in storybooks (who tend to meet a grizzly end) and have a dastardly money-making scheme up their sleeves. 

Written by TV’s Horrible Histories writers Gerard Foster and Richie Webb, the heartwarming hour-long story features several catchy tunes - available on the Hippodrome’s website to keep toes tapping long after the play has ended. There is also plenty of dancing throughout the production - in fact, one of the wolves hides a secret passion for ballet - choreographed by Arielle Smith.

It’s a gentle but entertaining production from start to finish, and visually delightful - including the lighting design by Gillian Tan, which brings in melodrama at appropriate moments, but is never too much for the young ones in the audience. 

The set, designed by Hannah Sibai, firmly place us in a wintry forest, with Hettie and Harry’s home tree at the centre, and the costumes (also by Sibai) have hints of ‘cuddly toy’ quality, combined with quirky human clothing.

Eagle-eyed audience members might notice that some of the cast re-appear in the branches of the tree as birds, joining Musical Director Sarah Morrison and Drummer Jonathan Antil in the on-stage band. All the performances are engaging - Sydney and Hettie’s energetic chemistry is charming, and Wiffy and Woofy are definitely both silly, rather than scary. 

With clever writing, entertaining visuals and catchy tunes, No Such Thing As Wolves is another hit ‘My First Musical’ from the Hippodrome - come and join the party!

Four stars

No Such Thing As Wolves was reviewed on Friday 12 December by Jessica Clixby at Birmingham Hippodrome’s Patrick Studio, where it shows until Sunday 4 January