Little Angel Theatre has set its spring 2027 family season. The world premiere of Baboo the Unusual Bee, a new musical from Lliana Bird’s picture book, opens on 6 February, a week after Let’s Fly returns on 30 January.
The Islington puppet theatre, which marked 65 years this summer, is pairing a brand-new show with a revival. Baboo the Unusual Bee plays Little Angel Studios from 6 February to 17 April 2027. Let’s Fly is back at the main Little Angel Theatre on Dagmar Passage from 30 January to 11 April 2027.
Baboo the Unusual Bee is for ages 3-8 and runs about 55 minutes. Lliana Bird has written and composed it herself, adapting the book she made with illustrator Aysha Tengiz. Phoebe Barren directs. Matthew Malone is musical director and arranger, and Oliver Hymans designs the set and puppets. It is a co-production with Curve Leicester.
Its hero is a bee with pink stripes instead of yellow ones, who would sooner dance than buzz about with the rest of the hive. The show takes him through the insect world, in styles from ballet to street dance, until he learns that standing out is nothing to hide.
Bird said: “At its heart Baboo is a story about being brave enough to be yourself, even when the world thinks you should be something else. So I couldn’t be more excited to now have the chance to bring his magical little world to life with our new musical. I really hope that seeing Baboo spread his wings even further will inspire a whole new generation of little misfits to do the same!”
Let’s Fly is aimed at ages 2-5 and lasts around 35 minutes. It was the show that gave Samantha Lane her Little Angel debut as writer and director, and it comes back as she prepares to leave the post of artistic director. The story follows Emily, who dreams of flying, on a trip over jungle, cities, oceans and mountains. The music is by Will Dollard and Mary Erskine, and Alison Alexander designs the set, puppets and costumes. Little Angel co-produces it with Goblin.
Lane and executive director Peta Swindall said: “It’s also particularly special to welcome back Let’s Fly, the production that marked Samantha Lane’s directing debut at Little Angel, as we begin a new chapter in the theatre’s history.”
Both shows have family workshops on selected weekend dates through the run, where children and an adult make a puppet inspired by the production together.
For more information, visit the official website.
