If compelled to select just one from the pantheon of visiting literary felines, I must confess I'd go for The Cat in the Hat over The Tiger Who Came to Tea, star of Judith Kerr's much-loved 1968 picture book.
The former puss, full of anarchic jollity, has already been brought to the stage, however, and this perky and well-judged adaptation from David Wood, aimed as an introduction to theatre for tots aged three and up, follows in its successful paw-prints.
Much like Hamlet, this story stands or falls on the performance of its eponymous hero. There are no soliloquies here, but what's required is bouncy charisma and this is abundantly supplied by Alan Atkins as the gallant tiger who interrupts the teatime of young Sophie (agreeably played by adult actress Abbey Norman) and Mummy (Jenanne Redman).
The cast come on happily waving to their eager audience and although there is too much dead time both pre and post-tiger, the young viewers were gripped. Rows of middle-class parents looked faintly shocked when asked to hymn the delights of sausages, chips and ice cream; for all her many snack breaks, Sophie doesn't get a sniff of even one of her five-a-day.
Tiger until Sept 4 (0844 412 4663, thetigerwhocametotealive.com)
The Tiger Who Came To Tea
Vaudeville Theatre, WC2
