Michael Rosen on great form for 80th birthday tour

Michael Rosen - Nice Rose Theatre, Kingston Author, poet, broadcaster and former children's laureate Michael Rosen was in cracking form at the Rose theatre for the start of his 80th birthday celebratory tour. Titled, Nice, the 60 minute show amounts to a quick run through life, with accompanying favourite poems, such as Hot Food, No Breathing and Chocolate Cake. Also, some from his new collection: Peas on Your Knees. Just honoured with the Hans Christian Andersen award for writing for his lifelong contribution to children's literature, Rosen enters his eighth decade in buoyant form. This is very much a show for the kids, with the former children's laureate immediately clicking onto their wavelength. The show is very interactive, with audience participation throughout. No recalling his long hospitalisation with COVID or the tragic death of his son Eddie.Both subjects of his last tour:Getting Through It. This is a light hearted trip through life. The odd signpost from his north London roots, such as saying his brother came south 40 years ago, he hadn't seen him since. And ofcourse Arsenal football club. Politics is limited to a dig at former education secretary Michael Gove, when he speaks of coming from the stone age. This section focusing on Rosen's age, sees him claim to be from 3,000 years old, so from the stone age. Time certainly flies with this show. A very enjoyable hour for all ages from the peoples poet. Next dates - 17/5 - Tunbridge Wells, 24/5 Norwich and 26/5 Cambridge. Tour ends next April.