By Lauren Rofe
The quiet simplicity was captivating, holding both my son’s and my attention from start to finish.
Created and performed by Stephen Noonan, the show is made for kids aged 3 to 5. The set is very minimal—just cardboard tubes and tennis balls—and there’s no talking at all. But through careful movement, a gentle soundtrack and a true understanding of the whimsy of early childhood play, Noonan tells the story of a shy boy who slowly opens up to play and connection.
The atmosphere is calm, with enough space for kids to take everything in. My 3-year-old stayed focused the whole time, laughing along with everyone and clearly following the story in his own way. It felt like the show really respected the way young kids think and feel.
I found myself tearing up watching the innocence of the child Noonan was connecting with and how effective his quiet, gentle invitations to play were in building a friendship. There was something really honest about his interactions with his new friend—no big drama, just the joy of simple connection.
The Boy & the Ball doesn’t try to do too much, and that’s part of why it works. It understands its audience, and it trusts that a quiet story told well is more than enough.
If it tours again, I’d definitely recommend it for families with preschool-aged kids. It’s short, thoughtful, and a lovely introduction to live theatre for little ones.
DreamBIG Children’s Festival is on until Saturday, 17 May. Check out the full program here.
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