THE Golden Cowpat is not only a wonderful title for a children’s show but taking the country by storm, enlivening our little ’uns’ lives every time it performs.

Coming to Oxford’s Story Museum on Saturday, Robin Hemmings, who co-wrote and co-produced the show, is delighted with its progress and says it’s a direct backlash against celebrity culture.

“If you look at the X Factor and Who Wants to Be A Millionaire they give kids a false notion that money and its importance in life, that fame and money are easy to come by, when the values we should be teaching children are that people, specifically family and friends, are what are important.”

The Oxford School of Drama graduate knew that the way to get his message across to a four plus audience was through humour, and concocted a storyline involving a golden cowpat, “opening the door for lots of poo jokes,” and songs.

“There are lots of silly songs which we all sing-along to,” he laughs. “And of course the puppets.” The result is a resounding success and, two years down the line, The Golden Cowpat has sold out at Glastonbury and Hyde Park this summer alone, and is en route to Edinburgh via Oxford. “We had 250 in a tent at Hyde Park and I knew it could go either way because it was the biggest audience we have had so far,” he says. “And if kids don’t like it they let you know by just getting up and wandering off. “But they were all laughing and the looks on their little faces...”

With a new story all ready to roll, Sam Rose in the Shadows will be touring next year, so what’s the answer to successful children’s theatre then? “Storytelling is still something that children love. They have a real thirst for it and are able to sit in a room and use their imaginations without it being laid out for them on TV or on a game screen, which is really reassuring.

“But we also aim not to patronise children. “Instead we treat them like little adults because they are such a unique audience and harnessing their vibrant, fidgety energy is magic.”

  • SEE IT
     
  • Tucked In presents The Golden Cowpat at The Story Museum, Pembroke Street, Oxford, on Saturday at 11am & 2pm. See story museum.org.uk for details