Review: Little Howard and the Magic Pencil of Death ****

TAKING a two-dimensional cartoon character from screen to stage isn’t a completely new idea; Walt Disney did it rather successfully by stuffing actors into hot, furry costumes. But Howard Read, a comedian and cartoonist who fronts a wonderfully inventive children’s show on the BBC, has reinvented the concept for the 21st century.

He reasoned that if computers could bring his wide-eyed signature character, Little Howard, to life on the small screen they could work the same magic in front of the footlights. His touring show is a deft mix of laptops, software and projectors, with an engaging central performance.

And despite the famous unreliability of computers (“Never work with children, animals or Windows”, goes the old adage) it’s surprisingly sophisticated. Using foot switches and other paraphernalia with the dexterity of a one-man band, Read plays himself and cues his own recorded voice to make the cartoon Howard interact with the audience.

The children in the house – sadly, not too many in Bradford – were agog, especially when some were invited onstage to knock Little Howard over with a football. Not even Walt Disney did that.

Leeds Carriageworks, July 10.