It may not be the most festive of subjects, but the entertaining, Olivier Award-nominated family production of Oi Frog & Friends! – the UK tour of which is currently at the Wales Millenium Centre in Cardiff – is full of cheer for younger audiences this Christmas.

Met with the challenge of choosing a subject that rhymes with your name, the children (and grownups) responded excitedly, despite the limitations that some first names presented. If you’re not familiar with the bestselling books from Kes Grey and Jim Field, the pupils at Sittingbottom school are tasked with living by Cat’s rule book and sitting on something that rhymes with their name. So Frog sits on a log, Cat sits on a mat, and so on.

It’s Frog’s first day and although determined to fit in, the prospect of sitting on a log during the long days at school is not too appealing. When Dog arrives and must sit on (you guessed it) Frog, a rhyming frenzy ensues, throwing the rule book of Sittingbottom completely out of the window.

Managing to combine the acting and musical elements whilst manoeuvring the puppets is an impressive skill and was made to look simple by the brilliant cast who proved to be a true singing, dancing and rhyming force. The different animals inhabited are creatively produced by clever costumes and props, and each transition was executed seamlessly on stage in Cardiff.

The fast-paced nature of Oi Frog and Friends! does not leave much time to think before they’re onto the next rhyme – much like the books – but this all adds to the atmosphere. Impromptu bursts of song provided a fun musical element to the journey and the catchy ‘fajita’ tune (inspired by the Cheetah…) was one my accompanying three-year-old enjoyed immensely. Another impressive aspect was the interaction with the audience involving them in the rhyming challenge, which thankfully didn’t involve any awkward suggestions and highlighted how popular this series is for children who responded with all the right answers.

An immersive and dazzling adaptation that brings the popular book to life, the touring stage version of Oi Frog and Friends! certainly leaves an impression and will undoubtedly provide a good hour of entertainment for younger members of the family. Just make sure you go prepared with something that rhymes with your name.

Wales Millennium Centre, Cardiff Bay, Sat 18 Dec

Oi Frog & Friends! was scheduled to run until Sun 2 Jan but has had to close early. Info: here

words RHIANON HOLLEY