Three Little Pigs - Front Door Theatre.

Friday 6th March 2026

"Three Little Pigs"

Front Door Theatres

Derby Theatre



We were invited to a sneak preview of Front Door Theatre Three Little Pigs. A quick paced, well written short story based on the popular children’s book.


With only two performers, Adam Horvath and Ivan Stott, it takes a lot to keep adults as we as kids entertained for any length of time and these two certainly managed that! They bounce off each so well, with quick reactions and comedic timing. Both showed off their skills with various accents supported by Anita Gilbert, the favourite being the Scottish builder lady. 

They both truly are showmen. This was accentuated with Daniel Ellis’ flamboyant directing, who also designed the set, which consisted of a miniature theatre with velvet curtains, cabochon lights, and shell foot lights, perfect for creating a stage for the incredibly made, detailed puppets, made by John Barber. I enjoyed how the brick how was on a revolve to reveal the inside where the bubbling soup pot was that burnt the big bad wolf’s bum which ended the story. I also appreciated the use of road signs to cover the transitions when ‘building’ the houses.


The puppets use the performers hands to create mouth movement, each with its own characteristics. My personal favourite was the owl, it used Ivan’s head as the owls head and he flapped its wings using his hands, very effective.

Throughout the show the lighting changes, colour chases, flashes, and even tube lights that frame the set! A great addition to the set by Dom Murray. It really creates the stereotypical Broadway show feel.


The songs are brilliantly composed by Ivan Stott, the jazz aspect really works well with the characters. Complimented by the costumes, pink velvet jackets and tuxedo suits with pink bow and ruffles, Tim Heywood did a fabulous job!

At the end the cast handed out activity packs in printed logo’d bags by V-cre8ive, these include beautifully designed bookmarks by Madi Steffen as well as many other activities using the artwork. I was made aware that these are usually handed out to the children of the houses they visit, a nice touch!

It’s safe to say that I didn’t stop laughing for the whole 20 minutes the show was on. My cheeks definitely hurt by the end of it! I thoroughly enjoyed the personal aspect of the show without having to participate. The children in the room also seemed to have a lovely time and were engaged the whole time.


I think it’s a great idea to make it as accessible as possible by touring the show to people’s driveways. I highly recommend getting a show booked for your doorstep. Not just for the kids but for you too. You will love it! It’s an easy 5 star from me!






Three Little Pigs will be opening to the public at Derby Theatre from Friday 6th - Sunday 29th March 2026

Written By Kiah Smith
📷 Graeme Braidwood

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

"Snow White & The Seven Dwarfs"

Image
Mansfield Palace Theatre Sunday 23rd December 2025 The pantomime season has officially begun, and what a way to start! Snow White & The Seven Dwarfs, brought to Mansfield Palace Theatre by UK Productions Ltd , was my first time experiencing their in-house panto and it was so much more than I expected. Written by Jon Monie, this production delivers warmth, humour, spectacle, and traditional panto magic from start to finish. For those unfamiliar, Snow White & The Seven Dwarfs tells the timeless tale of a young princess whose beauty and kind heart spark envy in her mother, the formidable Queen Grimelda. Full of adventure, humour, and magical moments, the story follows Snow White’s journey through a world of colourful characters, unexpected twists, and festive fun — all while keeping audiences guessing what will happen next. We meet Muddles and his mum, Dame Dilly Donut, along with Princess Snow White, whose mother — not stepmother — is the villainous Queen Grimelda. Desperate to r...
Read more

The Signalman - Derby Theatre

Image
  Tuesday 27th January 2026 "The Signalman" Derby Theatre ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ (5 Stars) As a fan of Charles Dickens, I was excited to see this gothic tale come to life. First impressions tabs closed, the suspense builds rapidly as the eerie piano music plays. The use of smoke and flashing lights as the trains go past starts the show and is used throughout, immediately leaving a chill in the air. Instantly, the set makes you feel as if you are right outside the signal box, with trees constantly moving, echoed by the constant sound of wind, the leaves on the ground and the smoke that rises to add to the atmosphere. Inside the signal box, it feels like a home from home for the Signal Man, with a fireplace, brick walls, books, a crucifix, and even a working clock, which he references as each train goes by. And of course, the main attraction the train track leading into the tunnel, which is cleverly enhanced with projection to add those spooky spirits. Not to spoil the fun but the stage crew’s ...
Read more

"Aladdin - Sheffield Theatres Lyceum"

Image
Tuesday 9th December 2025 "Aladdin" Sheffield Theatre Lyceum This was my  first time visiting Sheffield Theatres , and I was blown away. I had never been before, and the theatre itself is stunning from the welcoming atmosphere to the comfortable seating, it set the perfect stage for an unforgettable panto experience. The pantomime season has officially begun, and last night’s performance of  Aladdin  at  Sheffield Theatres  was the perfect way to welcome it in. Bursting with humour, heart, and dazzling spectacle this production delivered everything you want from a festive night out and so much more. For those unfamiliar,  Aladdin  tells the story of a young man who, with the help of a magical Genie, sets out to win the heart of the courageous Princess Jasmine while outsmarting the villainous Ivan Tochacha. Along the way, Aladdin navigates daring adventures, enchanted treasures, and plenty of comedy, making for a fun, magical, and heartwarming story tha...
Read more