There is something so special about seeing a favourite children’s book brought to life on stage, and Betty and the Yeti at Lighthouse Poole did it brilliantly. We already loved Ella Burfoot’s story, so we were excited to see how Angel Exit Theatre would transform Betty’s frosty adventure into a live family show.
It was a fantastic start to our October half term, the show is warm, funny and full of imagination – the perfect introduction to live theatre for younger children.
What is Betty and the Yeti about?
Based on the much-loved picture book by Ella Burfoot, Betty and the Yeti follows Betty as she sets off on a snowy adventure in search of the mysterious Yeti.
At its heart, it is a lovely story about facing your fears, looking beyond first impressions and discovering friendship in unexpected places. These messages were woven naturally into the adventure, so the children could simply enjoy the story while still taking something meaningful away from it.
The production combined puppetry, catchy music, physical comedy and plenty of slapstick humour. It felt lively and engaging without being overwhelming for younger audience members, and there was always something happening to hold their attention.
A show that kept both girls entertained
Elsie thought the show was hilarious – particularly the red underpants, which were definitely one of her highlights! The silliness was pitched perfectly for children, but there were also plenty of moments that made the adults laugh.
What surprised me most was how captivated Nancy was. At just nine months old, I expected her to watch small parts of it and then become restless, but she watched the whole thing and even clapped along. The colourful puppetry, music and movement kept her completely engaged.
That is one of the things I loved most about the production: it genuinely worked as a family experience. The story was easy for younger children to follow, while the humour and performance made it enjoyable for older children and grown-ups too.
The perfect introduction to children’s theatre
The show took place in the Sherling Studio at Lighthouse, Poole’s Centre for the Arts. The smaller studio setting made the performance feel relaxed and intimate, which is ideal when taking young children to the theatre.
Introducing children to live theatre is so important. It gives them the chance to experience storytelling in a completely different way, to see characters come alive, enjoy music and movement, and share the excitement of a performance with an audience.
For children who have never been to the theatre before, a show like Betty and the Yeti is a wonderful place to start. It was not too long or complicated, the atmosphere felt welcoming, and the combination of humour, puppetry and music kept the little ones involved from beginning to end.
Our verdict on Betty and the Yeti
Betty and the Yeti was a genuinely feel-good family show. It was funny, imaginative and full of heart, with a lovely message about courage and friendship running through it.
We loved watching one of our favourite books come to life in such a playful way. Elsie laughed throughout, Nancy clapped along, and I came away reminded of just how magical children’s theatre can be.
If Angel Exit Theatre brings Betty and the Yeti back to Dorset, or it visits a theatre near you – I would definitely recommend looking out for it. It is a charming production for young children and a lovely family theatre experience to enjoy together.
Check out what else is on at Poole Lighthouse here.
This was a gifted experience all thoughts and opinions are my own.
