Happy Birthday... to the end of the World

Rating:

Company:NoBones Theatre, Calgary

Genre: Clown

Venue:Kids Venue MTYP Mainstage

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Poor Zoot just wants to throw a birthday party. And blow up the planet. Or maybe save it.

• Winnipeg Fringe 2016: read our reviews

In Chris Gamble's likeable solo children's show,Zoothas been sent from space ostensibly to throw a party but it's really an excuse toplant a planet-destroying bomb to clear Earth out of the way in the name of "progress." But whenZoothas a bout of conscience, the race is on to save the world.

The show's not at all as dark as it might sound, though. Gamble does some goofy clowning which had the younger kids in his opening night audience giggling throughout. There's a bit of audience interaction, though more might help the show through a few of its lulls.

Still, at a lean, chuckle-inducing half hour, it's a cute crowd-pleaser for the under-six set.