In The Night Garden is a very weird programme! Who would have known that becoming a parent would include having full-blown conversations that include the words Pinky Ponk, Ninky Nonk, Igglepiggle, and Upsy Daisy, to name but a few? What’s more, you would have a total understanding of what these words mean! I tried to avoid this programme but we only had a few children’s channels to choose from. Ethan would always watch In The Night Garden whilst I cooked the dinner. It wasn’t long before we were sucked into this world and Ethan was transfixed with Upsy Daisy. When we discovered that you could see this as a stage performance we knew Ethan would love it. This is our experience of taking a one-year-old to In The Night Garden Live.
Our Experience Of Taking A One Year Old To In The Night Garden Live
The only dates left for the show were at Brent Cross. Darren said he knew how to get there so we booked the cheapest tickets we could find. We didn’t add on the meet a character experience as that cost an extra £20.
On the morning of the show, we left early hoping to make a day of it and look around the Brent Cross shopping centre. Unfortunately, the traffic had other ideas and we were stuck in a very big traffic jam. Thankfully we did make it to Brent Cross just in time for the show.
The show is held in an inflated ‘dome’. This includes the stage area and they also use the ceiling of the dome as part of the production. The seating is split into two sections, premier and standard. The premier seats are the first three rows of the seating area. A metal railing separates them from the standard seating area. The seating areas are more like benches, so not the most comfortable for us adults. They do create the perfect area for your little ones to dance about around you without being restricted.
We had tickets for the standard area. We were let into the seating area after the premier ticket holders. You are then free to find yourself a seat anywhere in the standard area. Doors open thirty minutes before the show starts. The earlier you arrive, the more choice you will have over where you sit.
Whilst waiting for the show to start they sell light-up flashing spinning toys for £6 each. We purchased one for Ethan to entertain him during the wait.
Spinning and flashing things are always a success with Ethan and it helped to pass the time.
Makka Pakka Washes Faces
There are two different shows to choose from. We booked Makka Pakka Washes Faces. Makka Pakka always makes Ethan laugh so we thought that would be the best show for him to watch.
The show is created using life-size characters and puppets. You can see the puppeteers but they are part of the show and blend in quite well.
The show follows the format of the TV programme and it is filled with all of the songs that children know and love. I would say that it is perhaps five or ten minutes too long as the children did start to get restless. Considering the dome is filled with toddlers and young children it does hold their attention very well.
From this picture you can see how much Ethan enjoyed the show.
We had such a successful first trip to see In The Night Garden Live. We also took Ethan to watch the show at the 02 London in June 2013.
