If you’re already scribbling down family days out in Carmarthen for the diary, here’s one to add before it gets away from you. Amazing Animals is landing at the Lyric Theatre on 27th September, and it’s not like your usual trip to the theatre.
A Show Full of Animals, Without a Single Animal in the Building
Here’s the bit that makes this one stand out from your average theatre trip. Every creature on that stage, from a crocodile to a reindeer, a sloth to a penguin, even an orangutan and (brace yourselves) a skunk with a mind of its own, is brought to life through puppetry and clever stage effects rather than the real thing. No live animals means no worrying about how they’re being looked after on tour, and it also means the show can get away with a few more laughs than you’d normally get away with in front of actual wildlife. Six performers and a sound technician keep the whole 75 minutes moving, mixing music and comedy in with plenty of animal facts, so it’s the kind of show that sneaks a bit of learning in without anyone clocking it as educational.
Good Timing for a Term Time Weekend Out
The date is also part of what appeals with this show. Late September sits in that gap after the kids have settled back into school but before the October half term rush kicks in, when everywhere from soft play to the cinema tends to get booked up and prices creep up with it. A term time Sunday matinee is a much calmer way to fit in a family day out, and it means you’re not competing with half the county for tickets or a parking space. And if you’ve got littler ones who aren’t in school yet, it slots into a normal week just as easily.
Indoor and Weatherproof
Let’s be honest, autumn in West Wales is not exactly known for reliability weather-wise, so there’s something to be said for booking a day out that doesn’t hinge on the forecast. The Lyric is right in the centre of Carmarthen on King Street, easy to get to whether you’re driving in (St Peters car park is a minute’s walk away) or coming by bus or train, and once you’re inside, rain or shine makes no difference at all.
Good Value for a Family Day Out
Tickets are £17 full price and £15 concession, which feels like fair value for a 75 minute show that the whole family can sit through together. If you’ve got a baby under 18 months, you can bring them along for free on a lapseat in the stalls, which is a nice touch if you’re not quite ready to fork out for a ticket for someone who might sleep through half of it anyway. It’s also worth grabbing snacks from the kiosk on the way in too, there’s one on the ground floor that’s usually open an hour before curtain up.
Why We Rate a Live Show Over a Screen
We think there’s nothing like watching your child properly gasp, laugh or lean right forward in their seat, and you just don’t get that from a tablet. This kind of show is fab for building confidence too. It gets their imagination going and gives you all something to chat about on the way home instead of everyone disappearing back into their own screens the second you’re in the car. We’ve actually written a whole piece on this, have a read of The Power of Theatre: 7 Benefits for Kids if you fancy finding out why shows like this one earn their ticket price.
Get a Look at the Show Before You Book
If you want a taster of what to expect, here’s the trailer:
Booking
Walk ins on the day are allowed, but we’d always say book ahead for a family show like this. There’s nothing worse than promising the kids a trip to see life sized crocodiles and orangutans only to find the tickets have sold out. We find booking online through the Carmarthenshire Theatres website the quickest and easiest way, but you can call the box office on 0345 226 3510 or pop in in person if you’d rather sort it face to face.
Book Your Tickets Here
Amazing Animals runs at the Lyric Theatre, Carmarthen on 27th September. Fun for all ages, easy to get to, and one to get in the diary before it disappears off the schedule.
