When is it appropriate to have poo jokes and rude noises in a theatre show?

When you're catering for children!

A packed house of giggling youngsters at Dartford's Orchard Theatre on Sunday afternoon certainly approved.

Parents - worry not! They were there to see the charming tale of two big hippos, one huge dream and who can make it to the moon first.

The theatre adaptation of David Walliams' The First Hippo On The Moon book is ideal for a fun family afternoon for children aged three and up.

And there's plenty of opportunities to see it, as it's visiting three Kent theatres as part of a national tour.

Les Petits Theatre Company, which brought Captain Flynn and The Pirate Dinosaurs to the county last year, returns with space-inspired bang complete with puppetry, music and mayhem.

The First Hippo On The Moon takes you through the childhood rivalry of Sheila and her nemesis Hercules Waldorf-Franklin III and their race to victory.

Along the way, Sheila is helped by her band of animal friends and even the audience, some of whom are called upon to make the necessary 'deposits' to give her rocket enough fuel.

It wasn't all about animal waste though. Running through the whole production is a message about the importance of friendship - and listening to what you are told.

The cast of Les Petits Theatre Company have clearly studied their art - evidenced in the nuanced behavioural movements of the various jungle creatures.

Move over Punch and Judy, there's some new puppets in town!

DETAILS

The show will be at the Orchard Theatre, Dartford until Wednesday, February 1.

For tickets at £18.50 and £16.50 for under-16s, visit orchardtheatre.co.uk or call 01322 220000.

It will also be at the Woodville, Gravesend, on Wednesday, April 12. For tickets from £14.50, visit woodville.seatlive.com

From Tuesday, May 2 to Saturday, May 6, it will be at the Churchill Theatre, Bromley. For tickets at £19.50 and £14.50 for under-16s, visit churchilltheatre.co.uk or call 020 3285 6000.