Toto at The Polka Theatre, Wimbledon

Toto at the Polka Theatre in Wimbledon is a proper joy. Aimed squarely at 3–8 year olds, this fun-filled hour delivers strong storytelling, catchy tunes, and an abundance of heart. In the realm of children's theatre, this is easily a four-star production.

Adapted by Harry Blake from Ximo Abadia’s charming book, the show follows Toto, a fantastical young donkey with big dreams of going to space. Guided by the wisdom of their idol, astronaut donkey Luna Lopez (Mya Fox-Scott), and supported by their mum, Fernanda (Alice Keedwell), Toto believes anything is possible. Reality soon interrupts when Toto has to help keep the lights on by shifting boxes at the local factory with their Mum. What follows is a spirited rescue mission of the imagination, as Toto escapes to the city to try for Space School and reach the stars.

Director Jennifer Tang keeps the narrative moving at a cracking pace. Inès Mazdon Delas is flat-out adorable as Toto, leading the piece with warmth and charm. The small cast of four multi-roles seamlessly, giving the production a lively energy. Ricardo Castro is the absolute standout as factory boss Mucho Dinero. He is hilarious, gets some of the best lines, and works the room like a seasoned pro. Castro uses the full breadth of the auditorium as his factory floor, drawing the young crowd (and some of the grown ups with them) directly into the action.

The audience interaction starts straight away and sets a brilliant tone. About two-thirds of the way in, when a few of the younger audience members were starting to flag, Tang and choreographer Jennifer Fletcher drop in a well-timed sequence of movement and call-and-response. It pulls the room right back in without ever feeling forced. Fletcher’s choreography works wonders with a cast of four. The movement actively drives the narrative forward, with a sleek city scene featuring umbrellas standing out as a real visual highlight.

Musically, Blake’s score is a triumph. The themes are clear, every song is catchy, and the cast’s vocal delivery is stellar. Diction is crisp, dialogue is never rushed, and there is no frantic gabbling - a bonus when performing for little ears. When Alice Keedwell’s microphone briefly failed, she did not miss a beat, effortlessly shifting to her beautiful unamplified soprano until the mic was swapped between scenes. Playing one of the main themes over the speakers as the crowd exited was a masterstroke; it is one of the rare times I have walked out of a show actually humming the tune and remembering the actual words.

The design elements, led by set and costume designer Charlotte Henery, are simple, smart, and versatile. A central set of stairs effortlessly morphs from a bedroom to a factory floor to a city scene without cluttering the stage. Benny Goodman’s lighting design adds a wonderful touch, with painted 'glow' effects on the set that shift color as the mood changes. Costume shifts are distinct and consistent, keeping young viewers oriented at every turn. The style reflects the book's original artwork well enough, although with perhaps more budget, it could get even closer to the original.

The delight in the room was palpable. The applause was enthusiastic, and hearing the chatter from the kids on the way out was a total joy. If you are looking for an accessible, high-quality piece to introduce young children to the magic of live performance, Toto is a stellar place to start.

Now playing until 1 November. Booking and information here: https://polkatheatre.com/event/toto/

Cast:
Toto -  Inès Mazdon Delas
Luna Lopez  - Mya Fox-Scott
Mucho Dinero  - Ricardo Castro
Fernanda -  Alice Keedwell

Creatives:
Writer: Ximo Abadia
Adaptor, Composer, and Arranger: Harry Blake
Director: Jennifer Tang
Choreographer: Jennifer Fletcher
Set & Costume Designer: Charlotte Henery
Lighting Designer:  BennyGoodman
Sound Designer Dan Balfour
Casting Consultant: Chloe Blake
Associate Choreographer: Cathy Waller
Assistant Set & Costume Designer: Eizo Zhao
Intimacy Coordinator: Chi-San Howard.