The Baddies, based on book by Julia Donaldson, at Cadogan Hall, 9 - 24 August, 2025
'catchy tunes and memorable moments with the mischief being kept light and breezy for very young audiences' ★★★★
Julia Donaldson is a magical storyteller. She can build and shape stories for young people that are so memorable with characters that are unforgettable. The Baddies is certainly not the first of her stories to be made into a musical. Last year, I watched the memorable Zog and the Flying Doctors in the same location with my daughter.
This year, with music and lyrics, again by the talented Joe Stilgoe, there were more catchy yet complex tunes to enjoy with a lovely use of rhyme and rhythm. It is encouraging to see a show that explores the idea of being good and bad with young children. The story opens with Mother Mouse (Lottie Mae O’Kill) trying to teach her three naughty mouse children about politeness, such as using sorry, thank you, and please, as well as sneezing into one’s elbow with a song, of course! (A gift to grateful parents.) These three mice actors (James Stirling, Rosie Meek, Nic James) transform later into the ’more silly than spooky’ troll, witch, and ghost who are central to the story Mother Mouse is about to tell. Of course, the protagonist is The Girl (Laila Zaidi) who is brave, and even brazen, in the face of these three creatures’ best attempts to scare her into giving up her prized hanky. She spoke of being the eldest of 7 and having to handle difficult things all her life, which I thought was an insightful addition to the background of her character.
The set is a cross between Dr. Seuss and Willy Wonka’s Chocolate Factory, with psychedelic stripes and large polka dot curtains (matching the style of the key item, The Girl’s handkerchief). The central set-piece converts from a mountain to the frontage of a house to the inside of a bedroom, as needed. The cast dance and prance around (choreography by Katie Beard) this versatile set with their Wonkaesque costumes. An especially memorable moment is with the witch’s cat ventriloquism by the ghost, a very fun addition.
The majority of the piece is about music and the central part of the story becomes a minor part of this production. The songs lead the way here with the main action from the original book coming three-quarters of the way through. The songs give introduction to the characters (such as “We are the very best baddies in the world”) and give understanding of their motivations (“Pushing and Shoving and Pulling of Hair”). This is a show for very young children, so things are kept light and breezy with the mischief. There is a brief attempt at audience participation, but otherwise most of that is saved for after the show (with a little dance lesson).
While The Baddies may not be as indelible in children’s memories as Gruffalo, Stickman or Zog, it will certainly have a place in the Donaldson musical canon.
Photography: Pete Jones
Stage Adaptation by David Greig and Jackie Crichton
Based on book by Julia Donaldson (writer) and Axel Sheffler (illustrator)
Music and lyrics by Joe Stilgoe
Performed by James Stirling, Lottie Mae O’Kill, Laila Zaidi, Ben Simon, Rosie Meek, Nic James, Georgie McSherry
Direction and Choreography by Katie Beard
