It was really really really really really really good!

That’s 6 reallys from a 5 year old. And in a world with much competing for little ones’ attention, that’s no mean feat.

Get ready to sing, dance, and celebrate with your favourite CBeebies stars – the ultimate CBeebies House Party Live! is coming to Lowry, Salford… and you’re invited!

…this high-energy, fun-filled live show is bursting with sensational songs, dazzling surprises, and unforgettable moments for the whole family.

Expect dancing, singing, streamers, giant jellies, bubbles galore – and of course, a special CBeebies Bedtime Story. But don’t get too cosy – it’s time to PARTY!

Ok my credentials.

I’m an auntie to two beautiful nephews and one beautiful niece, I’m a former child who watched television and I’m a grown-up still with an inner child that lingers and makes the occasional cameo.

Yesterday, my inner child showed up and stuck around way past its bedtime.

CBeebies, I’m sure, is beloved in most households with young children and credited with supporting many a parent in the early years of both teaching and entertaining their little ones.

My generation (when it were all fields round ‘ere and we lived in shoeboxes) had pre-school Playschool, Mr Benn, King Rollo, Pigeon Street, Chock-A-Block and Bod.

And long may my memories of those continue.

Oh The Flumps! Not forgetting The Flumps.

All lovely.

In my day Brian Cant was King, Floella Benjamin, Queen, and after yesterday’s performance, I’m fully on board with the royal court that is CBeebies.

Our hosts and fellow guests at the party were beloved CBeebies favourites Justin Fletcher, Duggee, Evie Pickerill, Rhys Stephenson, and Mister Maker.

Now cards on the table, in my role as Auntie Laura, an Auntie that has dived head first into the world of 21st century children’s programming, , I shouldn’t form favourites.

But reader, I cannot deny that coming into yesterday’s party, there was one person I was excited to see – Duggee. You don’t need a little one to enjoy Hey Duggee – Duggee is there for all of us with his tiny friends and badges that I could only have dreamt of having the chance to achieve as a Brownie.

And whilst Duggee has my heart, I widened my circle of heroes a little more yesterday seeing Justin, Evie, Rhys and Mister Maker spread joy and happiness through the Quays Theatre for a fun-packed, party-streamer strewn, bouncing balloon belter of a 50 minute performance.

And lest we forget the brilliant Emma Jane Mansfield (and not just because as a stripey strided sister she liked my stripey pants…), who signed throughout the performance – just one of the elements of inclusivity and accessibility that is so wonderful about CBeebies. There’s real love, care and consideration that goes into ensuring that every child feels special and seen.

And our party hosts with the mosts, the fantastic Evie and Rhys displayed an energy throughout that Red Bull wishes it could bottle.

As the show counts down, we’re all (and I mean all) entertained by the bright backdrop, projecting song and dance favourites from the channel, the PG equivalent of ‘prinks’, if you like. So entertained to the point that my lovely little niece and roving reporter, Little Miss L, thought that this was the show and was fully ‘liking and subscribing’ before we’d even got going to the main event.

Once we move to ‘curtain up’ we’re on a rollercoaster of a ride of party prep. Evie and Rhys demonstrate an affinity with the audience – children, mums, dads, especially aunties…- that has clearly been developed through hours of building up a special relationship through the main medium, teaching and reaching out to children on a special level that is perfectly tuned into what they both love and need in equal measure.

And so as we had a helping hand with all the prep for the party – hello Mister Maker, Duggee and Dodge – with many a sing-a-long and dance, balloon and bubble along the way, we welcomed to stage the one and only Justin.

After doing a turn on the decks to really get that party pumping (yes that’s a giant jelly next to him), he was at our service to bring all the children (and us) to a happy, calm place as we all listened enthralled, to a live ‘bedtime story’ reading of ‘Hey Duggee: Duggee’s Party’…as the Duggmeister himself stood by to lend his own voice to proceedings!

But there was still time to go out with a bang as we all (all) joined in with a final Hokey Cokey – because that, folks, is what it’s all about.

But don’t take my word for it.

I asked Little Miss L (credentials – 5 years old, pocket rocket and all round princess) for her thoughts on the performance…

It was really really really really really really good. I loved it! My favourite part was when Duggee came out onto the stage because I like watching him on the television’

I also liked Justin’s headphones, they were funny!

And helping Dodge find the pilchards (editor’s note – the pilchards were for a cake that Dodge wanted to make for the party that we, as fellow party guests, did NOT want – booo urghhh etc.)

Jenny (credentials- my sister, Little Miss L’s lovely mummy) shared,

I probably enjoyed it almost as much as Lottie, as CBeebies is on in our house every day – Lottie has grown up watching it 🥲 and the bedtime story live was great!

And there you have it.

The show is running three times a day (like I say, that energy…) continues at Lowry theatre, Salford, from Friday 29 – Sunday 31 August inclusive.

It’s magical.

For further details, visit https://thelowry.com/whats-on/cbeebies-house-party-live-nprf