April 2013

 

They’ve spent years entertaining their own children and now Holmfirth mums Sally Norton, Lisa Kendall and Zoe Scott are thoroughly enjoying entertaining children across Kirklees and Calderdale.   The theatrical trio, who all belong to a local drama group, have devised a colourful, interactive children’s show aimed specifically at babies to six year olds – incorporating nursery rhymes, action songs and story telling.

 

It all started 18 months ago when Sally took her twin boys, then aged 2, to see the Australian group The Wiggles.   When telling best friend and local pantomime director Lisa about it the following day, Lisa said “we could do that”; they invited mutual friend Zoe to join them and so began the Hey Diddles.

 

Lisa explains “Live theatre is a fabulous experience and it’s such a shame that some people won’t take their young children for fear that they might be disruptive, by chatting, needing the loo etc.    The three of us wanted to do something about this and so we created the Hey Diddles show, aimed specifically for these  young children.   We encourage them to get out of their seats,  to join in with the actions, sing along and dance.“

 

Sally adds "Now the mums can bring even the youngest child, safe in the knowledge that they'll not only be amongst a like-minded audience, but also that the entertainment on the stage is specifically aimed for the children."   

 

Zoe says "The show includes an educational message too.   We learn about simple counting and colours and incorporate simple messages about saying  please and thank you, being sorry!" 

 

Previous Hey Diddles shows have proved so popular that one Holmfirth Show sold out in just six days with the Holmfirth Tourist Information describing tickets as “gold dust”.