Visible Fictions and Aberdeen Performing Arts’ charming show for tots and toddlers fits snugly under the warm glow of the Playhouse Studio at Macrobert Arts Centre like presents under a Christmas Tree.

Several of which, boxed up and bowed, surround Becky Minto’s delightful miniature revolve which like a Generation Game conveyor belt plays host to a variety of props and puppets which assist a nimble centenarian to fulfil her childhood wish to dance with the stars.

Not those of Strictly fame, but celestial bodies which twinkle in the night sky and inspire poetic dreams and playful pursuits involving a hot air balloon, a pogo stick and a Houston, we have a problem rocket.

But some dreams are slow burners and sometimes you can’t always get what you want, what you really, really want in the here and now. Patience and perseverance are called for, together with a “young and carefree” attitude. Qualities which our stargazing protagonist has in spades.

Adapted from Simon Puttock’s illustrated children’s book by director Dougie Irvine, A Ladder to the Stars is more playful than poetic, with the magic fairy dust of wonder and surprise limited to a few fleeting sprinklings.

The most effective of which being the slow unveiling of “a very special seed” by performers Carmen Pieraccini and Ronan McMahon who engage with the material, the audience and one another with charm, subtlety and fun.

Running at 50 minutes and accompanied by a jaunty score by Daniel Padden (Poggle), the time like the airborne centenarian flies by. And the frequent breaking of the fourth wall to float clouds and spin planets ensures that tots are toddlers are rapt from the opening “Once upon a time” to the final “Twinkle, Twinkle”.

Peter Callaghan
Latest posts by Peter Callaghan (see all)