FOX HAS LOST HIS SOCKS.

Fox has lost his socks, Rabbit can’t get any kip and Postman Bear is up to something. A fairly standard December, then, except this one comes with puppets. Julia Donaldson and Axel Scheffler’s Tales from Acorn Wood at Christmas brings the lift-the-flap books to the stage at MAC from December 1 to 27.

There are songs to tap along to, a game of hide-and-seek with Pig and Hen, and a festive outing for Squirrel, who needs a hand finding everything to build her snowman. Fox, meanwhile, is checking the kitchen and the inside of the clock. Anyone who’s ever helped a toddler look for something they were holding thirty seconds ago will recognise the method.

The show is aimed at ages 18 months to six years, so it’s a good shout for a first trip to the theatre. And if you’ve been reading these books at bedtime for what feels like several years, there’s the small luxury of hearing somebody else do the voices. Bring the grandparents, bring the older siblings and see who’s first to shout where the socks are. Our money’s on someone who pays council tax.

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