34 | May 9, 2013 | www.cambridge-news.co.uk | Cambridge News

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May might have finallyprovided some muchneeded sunshine, but

if you have the chance to betransported to the Caribbean, youcan’t really say no, can you?

That’s where Hue Boy comesin. Created by the tutti fruttitheatre company, Hue Boy is acolourful, interactive children’spiece about a little boy who livesin a Caribbean village and hasanxieties about being the smallestboy in the class. Based on thebook of the same name, writtenby Rita Phillips Mitchell, HueBoy might lack a bit of height,but he doesn’t lack any sense ofadventure. He sets out on a grandtour of his community to ask foradvice, meeting everyone fromhis mum and grandmother, tothe neighbour, the doctor and thelocal wise man.

Eventually he does start to feelbetter about himself and being alittle on the small side, but you’llhave to see it to find out why...

Wendy Harris, tutti frutti’sartistic director, says: “The mainidea behind the story is: it’s fineto be who you are and what’simportant really is that you feel

good about yourself.“While [Hue Boy] is going along

on that journey, he learns lotsof important messages such ashealthy eating, and exercise andwalking tall and being proud ofwho you are.

“It’s very much an episodic littlejourney where a young child hasto problem solve by working withhis local community.”

Packed full of audienceinteraction, the children areasked to get involved and

help tell the story as it tumblesalong. “At times during the storythe children actually become HueBoy,” Wendy explains. “Usually bythe end of the show every child inthe audience is desperate to getup and help!”

Aside from lively splashes ofCaribbean music, a huge part ofthe show’s charm is the staging.The audience sits on the floorbeneath a giant, multi-colouredparasol. “There’s a lovely momentwhen it opens up and it’s all been

decorated inside, it’s very prettyand colourful, so the childrenare placed within that wold.It’s very simple and catches thecolour and the flavours of theCaribbean,” says Wendy.

It’s also very funny: “One of thedelightful things about it is thereare two actors but one of theactors plays all the people in thevillage. So you see this lovely actorbeing the mum and the comicgrandma and the neighbour nextdoor. The children really enjoythat, they really enjoy watchinghis transformations into thesedifferent people.”

So why should people comealong? “It’s got gorgeous messagesin it in terms of things thatchildren can take away from it:it’s ok to feel different about whoyou are, but feeling good aboutyourself is a good thing to do,”Wendy enthuses. “It’s also funnyand entertaining, it’s a very joyouspiece, a very positive piece,you come out of it feeling verypositive and uplifted. And I thinkthe fact that the children actuallyparticipate in it, and get involvedin it, they sort of take ownershipof the play and leave walking tall.”

Hue Boy

WALKING TALL: Hue Boy

WANT to find out whether the Big BadMouse really exists? Your little ones candiscover the truth at the CambridgeArts Theatre in The Gruffalo’s Child,Julia Donaldson and Axel Scheffler’ssequel to The Gruffalo. Tall StoriesTheatre Company tells the tale of theGruffalo’s rather curious child, who,one wild and windy night, potters outalone…. Expect music, magic andlots of fun. Suitable for ages 3+, it’son from Wednesday until Sunday atvarious times. Tickets cost £12.50 from(01223) 503333.

1. Meet The Gruffalo!

A TREE festival you ask? Well, you’llbe pleased to know there’s no treehugging involved. This SaturdayWandlebury Country Park is hosting anoutdoorsy day of crafts, dancing anddressing up all in honour of spring.Learn an age old skill, become aflowery May Queen and give Maypoledancing a go. Suitable for all the family(and you don’t have to dress up if youdon’t want to), pack a picnic and goalong from 11am until 4pm – it’s free.Call (01223) 243830 for more details.

2. Go to a tree festival

RUN riot (well, maybe just wanderround enthusiastically), at theFitzwilliam Museum for a morningof magical artiness. The Cambridgemuseum is holding an It’s Magic! eventon Tuesday for mini Picassos. Explorethe museum’s collections (we love theEgyptian mummy room), and visit themuseum’s art studio to create someof your very own masterpieces to takehome. It starts at 10am and is £3 perchild. Booking is essential, so call(01223) 332904.

3. Get creative

EVER fancied being a Victorian? Or asixties mod rocker? As part of a newFab Family Fridays scheme, run byMuseum of Cambridge (formerly theFolk Museum), now you can. Under5s can don top hats and dress up asVictorian gentleman, put on an apronand become a laundry maid or updatea current outfit (with a few twists ofcourse). The session starts at 10.30amand is free with museum admission.Call (01223) 355159 for furtherinformation.

4. Dress up

STEP back in time to an age when kidsplayed with puppets and peg toys, notiPads and video games. The brilliantImperial War Museum Duxford isrunning a bundle of activities recreatingtoys from the Blitz. Learn to makebadges, puppets Blitz pictures andpropaganda posters – They need you!The sessions are suitable for all agesand can be found in the Battle of Britainexhibition. Drop in between 11.30amand 3.30pm on Sunday. Normaladmission prices apply, call (01223)835000.

5. Make wartime toys

n Hue Boy is at Cambridge Junctionon Sunday, May 12 at 10.30am,12.30pm and 2.30pm. Suitable for3-7-year-olds, tickets are £9 (£5concession) from (01223) 511511or www.junction.co.uk.