Are you looking for a Fringe show to take a three to six year old to? Meg In The Magic Toyshop is `the show for you! It is gentle, educational and wholesome. What’s more at 40 mins it is the perfect length for young children.

Merilyn Greer wrote the show and engagingly performs the central role of Meg – a toy doll who is looking for a lost glove. Her friend Penny The Toy Soldier (think Nutcracker Suite not G.I.Joe) is here to help her find it.

With a nod to pantomime, old Disneyland TV shows, and even vaudeville the two toys dance, sing tell the story of the Ugly Duckling, and reinforce notions of resilience and self confidence. There is of course some magic as well, and it is fantastic to see that the actions needed to cast a spell are actually done in Auslan signing.

Children and adults are invited to sit on rugs in front of the stage but there are seats as well. Today the performers take great care to include children sitting with parents as well as those up front.  When some bubbles come out most children get up to chase and pop them, but Meg and Penny effortlessly get the children to settle for the next segment.

The four year old who came with me to see this show adored it – in fact he immediately asked if he could come and see it again next week so he could bring some friends! What’s more the key song Pick Yourself Up (“brush yourself down”) – yes the old Jerome Kern song from Swing Time (1936) and more recently used in Bluey – continued all the way home in the car….

This show embodies old world charm. If you have small children take them to see it!