Pirate Bonnie was a lofi selection of pirate songs and stories told with care and charm.

This one woman show was told with warmth and flair. The actor created a friendly atmosphere quickly and effectively. She alternated songs and stories about pirates, with a loose plot around finding treasure. Stories were told in rhyme and simply illustrated with masks and hats, and the scenery was a collection of household objects arranged to suggest a ship. This all combined to create an intimate and homespun aesthetic that I found pleasingly cosy.

I particularly liked the music in this production - largely accordion based folk songs. These were beautifully delivered and atmospheric. When the first one started my daughters eyes absolutely lit up. I also loved that we were greeted on the way in with an origami boat, which the children were invited to use in a recurring song, as well as doing some simple actions.

I might have preferred a more intimate, less formal space for this show, and perhaps a few more interactive elements for my wriggly toddler. It seemed a shame not to be a bit closer to the performer and the beautiful but small scale props, and also not to develop the idea that we that audience are the crew into a more structured and energetic interactive feature.

This sweet show will particularly appeal to slightly quieter children who already have a well established story reading habit and great listening skills. There aren’t huge theatrical devices but it’s calmly engaging and rewards a child who’s paying attention. I also particularly enjoyed taking my little girl to this quietly feminist show - all the pirates showcased are women, and I appreciated the subtle undermining of the traditional pirate gender messaging.