TV cave girl Igam Ogam takes to the stage for Welsh tour

If, like me, you've always loved the cheek and mischief of the popular children's TV character Igam Ogam, you'll be delighted to hear that the messy minx has secured her own stage show, which will be entertaining youngsters across Wales this summer.

It has been created by working single mum of two Carole Blade and is inspired by her two sons Conor, five, and Jake, four, who have been attending theatre shows with their mum since they were babes in arms.

Carole told me she feels no child is too young to enjoy the magic of the theatre, and with this energetic and interactive stage piece she really hopes to engage a whole new generation of future theatre-goers.

"The boys love everything about going to the theatre, from handing the ticket to the usher, to watching the lights go down, enjoying the show and then clapping at the end. It really fascinates them.

"When I put in the bid to Coreo Cymru I thought it would be great to find a character children already identified with who could really drive the crazy and lively production I had in mind.

"The interaction between live performers and the audience is especially obvious with children's theatre – when the performers start to move so do they.

"It's magical and one of the reasons I wanted to produce a funny and highly physical show for little ones. Going to the theatre really inspires them to be creative."

Igam Ogam is a naughty cave girl who does behave quite badly at times and likes nothing more than going on adventures with her friend Roly and during the process of this show, discovers her own shadow.

The production – which is suitable for children aged two to six and their families - is produced by Coreo Cymru and the Wales Millennium Centre in association with Calon TV, who Carole says have been very receptive to the idea of their character being developed into a stage show.

It marks a new direction for Wales Millennium Centre, as the landmark Cardiff theatre moves into producing its own theatre shows, as well as hosting them.

Louise Miles-Crust, head of programming at Wales Millennium Centre, said: "We know that Wales has the performers, creative talent and backstage and technical crew to compete on a world stage and it is important for us to facilitate this by producing our own shows, for audiences in Wales and beyond.

"Children's theatre is vitally important to us. Since we opened nine years ago, we have hosted countless shows for children of all ages.

"The excitement we see on the young faces as they experience live theatre, perhaps for the first time, is inspiring.

"In a digital age, it is wonderful for children to see the action unfolding in front of them, for them to interact with the characters through singing and dancing, and to become a part of the experience."

Carole added: "It will feature a prehistoric set specially created by Sean Cavanagh, from Abergavenny, who has worked on high profile West End productions including Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat.

"It is all on different levels and has slides, trampolines and seesaws, so is sort of like an obstacle course. I imagine the young audience will find it very tempting to climb on stage and get stuck in.

"There are also puppets of other favourite characters from the Igam Ogam show, under the guidance of puppeteer Rachel Canning, a former student of the Royal Welsh College of Music and Drama.

"They really add to the performance and it's a very physical show so the children are encouraged to sing and dance along with the characters."

Igam Ogam has been funded by Arts Council Wales and the tour will feature both Welsh and English versions of the show. A soundtrack has been specially created by composer Julian Martin, who also wrote the music for the animation.

Pontypool dancer Lauren Lee Jones plays Igam Ogam and her sidekick Roly is played by Orris Gordon.

The Igam Ogam Show tour begins at Aberystwyth Arts Centre on Sunday 23 June, before moving to the Lyric, Carmarthen, The Welfare, Ystradgynlais, The Riverfront, Newport, Neuadd Dwyfor, Gwynedd, and various theatres across Wales before it comes to the Weston Studio in the Wales Millennium Centre in August.

For full details visit the WMC website.