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REVIEW - A Squash and a Squeeze at Waterside Arts – A Lovely Midweek Theatre Trip with the Kids 🐄✨

  • 2 days ago
  • 3 min read
Elderly woman with a cow, goat, pig, and hen in a green field with trees. House in background. Text: A Squash and a Squeeze. Blue sky.

A Squash and a Squeeze at Waterside Arts

We were kindly invited to review A Squash and a Squeeze at Waterside Arts on Wednesday 8th April, and it ended up being such a lovely, easy morning out with the kids.


Lawrence was working, so my brother came along with me and the children, and my dad very kindly dropped us off at the venue. We arrived at around 10am for the 10:30am performance, which gave us plenty of time to settle in before the show.


Two children smiling and pointing at a colorful poster in a sunny street setting. The poster advertises “A Squash and a Squeeze.”

🎨 A Calm Start in the Creative Corner

Before heading into the auditorium, the children spent some time in the little creative corner at Waterside Arts—and this was such a lovely touch.


There’s a low table with bean bags for the children to sit on, along with pots of pencil crayons and paper ready for drawing. There are also small shelves on the wall filled with books, so children can sit and read while they wait.


Alice and Leo were both really happy here, quietly drawing and looking at books, while my brother and I grabbed a seat in the café area nearby. It made the whole experience feel really relaxed and family-friendly from the moment we arrived.


Waterside Arts in sale - Two children drawing at a table. Books on shelves behind them. Plush toy on the table. One child smiles, holding a pencil. Bright room.

🎭 Heading Into the Theatre

The auditorium opened at around 10:15am, and after getting our tickets scanned, we headed to our seats.


We were sat in Row G, seats 5–8, and the view was really good. The seating is nicely raked, so you tend to get a clear view no matter where you’re sitting, which is always reassuring when you’re taking little ones.


One of the things I really liked was that the experience actually started before the show officially began. The Wise Old Man came out into the audience, chatting to the children and handing out his “easy peasy solutions” business cards. It was such a fun, interactive way to draw the children in right from the start.


A Squash and a Squeeze on stage - Performer in a dark suit and hat gestures energetically to an audience seated in a dimly lit theater. Audience watches attentively.

🐄 The Show – A Story Brought to Life

The show itself runs for around 60 minutes, which felt like the perfect length for younger children—long enough to tell the story, but without losing their attention.


It follows the familiar story of the little old lady who feels her house is far too small, and the rather unusual advice she’s given to fix it. Watching it unfold on stage is so much fun, especially as the animals are gradually brought into the house and the chaos builds.


What really stood out was the creativity in the puppetry. Each animal is made from everyday objects, which gives the whole show a really imaginative, handmade feel. It’s simple but so effective, and it really captures children’s attention.


A Squash and a Squeeze on stage - Smiling child in a hoodie stands in front of a colorful stage set with a small house, tree, and fence. Blue lighting creates a playful mood.

The set is equally clever, with the cottage opening up to reveal the inside, which adds a lovely visual element and keeps things engaging throughout. There’s also a great mix of songs, movement, and audience interaction, which keeps the energy up and the children involved.


Alice especially loved the pig with its love of biscuits, while Leo couldn’t get enough of the moment the cow danced on the table—those little character moments really stayed with them afterwards.


A Squash and a Squeeze on stage - Three actors on stage, in period costumes, standing in front of a painted house backdrop with colorful lights and trees. Mood is joyful.

💛 Final Thoughts

This was such a lovely, easy theatre trip and one I’d definitely recommend for families with younger children.


Everything about the experience felt really well thought out—from the relaxed pre-show setup to the interactive elements within the performance itself. It’s the kind of show that feels welcoming and accessible, especially if you’re introducing little ones to theatre for the first time.


Although the run at Waterside Arts was only for a couple of days, A Squash and a Squeeze is continuing to tour until the end of May, including a stop at Leeds Playhouse. If you’re interested in catching it, it’s definitely worth checking the official show website for full tour dates and venues.




📍 Practical Info

  • Location: Waterside Arts (The Robert Bolt Theatre)

  • Duration: 60 minutes

  • Age Guidance: 3–8 years

  • Performance Times:

    • Tue: 16:30

    • Wed & Thu: 10:30 & 13:30

  • Ticket Prices:

    • £17 Adult

    • £15 Child

    • £60 Family Ticket (1 adult + 3 children or 2 adults + 2 children)

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