Every young audience member was left captivated and in fits of giggles

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If you are a parent or carer struggling to find things to do with your little ones in Hull this February half-term, a madcap show at Hull Truck Theatre may be just the ticket.

Great Adventures presents Colosseum of Chaos is recommended for learning ages 3-6 years and combines a 45-minute arts and crafts session followed by a 30-minute show, featuring spectacular clowning in a gladiatorial (but entirely non-violent) style.

I popped down on Saturday morning and found myself in a throng of children happily crafting halberds and Roman-style helmets. There were instructions and easy-to-follow templates, coloured paper, glue, tape, pom-poms, and feathers.

Basically, there was everything you could want to become the perfect gladiator. I had a go, but my efforts could not be matched by the colourful creations of the under-fives.

When the 45 minutes were up, we were ushered into the Godberg Studio. You can sit where you like and there is a relaxed approached to coming and going during the performance.

Our gladiators, Andy Ross and Jack Fielding, then commence battle. The show is essentially a very silly gladiatorial contest in three distinct acts, with plenty of opportunity for little ones and grown-ups to get involved, from pelting the performers with balls, to suggesting songs for Alexa to play (anything from K Pop Demon Hunters is very in vogue).

The children were completely mesmerised throughout. The deadpan clowning had them in fits of giggles, and they loved being encouraged to heckle the performers (who wouldn’t?)

All the fighting was very much comedic, with a low level of threat suitable for young children and toddlers. For instance, ‘blood’ was red confetti and clearly in the spirit of play-acting.

It builds up to a chaotic crescendo where, without revealing too much, everybody is encouraged to get involved. I challenge you to leave the theatre without a big smile on your face.

I thought 30 minutes was the perfect length of time for the performance part of the event. It was enough to totally enthral the youngsters, but not too long for them to get fidgety.

And of course, anybody who has ever looked after a three-to-six-year-old will know how challenging it can be wrangle them to and from the toilet in a timely way during the interval of longer shows.

Great Adventures presents Colosseum of Chaos is back again on Monday and Tuesday February 16 and 17 at 10am and 11.30am.

Tickets cost £7.50 per child, with one free accompanying adult. You can buy tickets or find out more on the Hull Truck website here.

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