Aliens Love Underpants

Have you ever watched a film and wished the first half had been edited out? Or read a book and given up after a few chapters because the story wasn't engaging you? Well, Aliens Love Underpants certainly verged on having the unfortunate quality of not fulfilling its remit for the first half hour of this hour-long sold out show at the Pleasance.

Based on the brilliant rhyming book by Claire Freedman and Ben Cort, the show should have been action-packed right from the start. However, the first half which is air-filled, mostly with pointless audience interaction and repeated attempts at breaking the fourth wall, falls completely flat on the audience of 3 to 8 year olds and their parents. Still, the second half works well for all, with brilliant puppetry and stage props, and at last, an attempt to follow the exciting story line: aliens keep coming to earth to steal human underpants, as they have a very special relationship to them and use them in varied and amusing ways. "Aliens love underpants, in every shape and size.  But there are no underpants in space, so here's a big surprise..."

Aliens and Timmy on Planet Janet

The show tune-style singing feels contrived, bar for a few moments of harmonious musicality. The stage lighting is excellent, and the alien puppets original and well handled. However, there is a definite am dram feel about this show, which could definitely be improved on. The boys both loved it though, as did the rest of the audience, so I guess I'm just too harsh a critic.

Juju's favourite bit: When they talked about space
Mum's favourite bit: Planet Janet
Juju's overall rating: 4 stars (out of 5)