Our Honest Review: The Elves and the Shoemaker
- Laura Vida
- Aug 11
- 1 min read
Laura Vida's REVIEW: The Elves and the Shoemaker by Theatre of Widdershins
My daughter was hooked, even before the show began, desperate to find out what Elvis’s magical foot measurer would say about her. (‘Amazingly awesome’, naturally.)
The eloquent narrator, Elvis Schumacker III (grandson of the original shoemaker!) is utterly brilliant throughout, deftly seizing every opportunity (even water breaks) to encourage live interaction. The primary-age kids in the full audience today are fizzing with energy and on the edge of their seats, but Elvis is more than a match for them. And the verbal ping pong is hilarious.
This is cerebral, multi-sensory storytelling for the 21st Century: quick-witted, language and reference rich, and often comic with impressive puppetry and varied music.
Yet there’s a deeper reminder: we must value craft and support it. The most beautiful, useful objects - like Schumacker’s atelier and his shoes - tend not to be made en masse in factories. Like great stories skilfully retold, that's why they endure.
NB: My 4-year-old daughter enjoyed the performance a lot. (Even without her glasses on!) But I’d say the slightly older kids got even more out of it! Ideal age for us: 6-10 years+.
Remaining dates: 12th-16th August 2026
Netherbow Theatre at Scottish Storytelling Centre
