REVIEW: Charlotte's Web - PIP Theatre

Charlotte’s Web

Presented by PIP Theatre | Adapted by Joseph Robinette | Based on the book by E.B. White

Wilbur the pig is in danger of becoming someone’s dinner—until a clever and kind-hearted spider named Charlotte hatches a brilliant plan to save him. With the help of their barnyard friends and a few miraculous words spun into a web, the two forge an unlikely friendship that changes their world forever.

From the moment audiences arrived, children were welcomed with pre-show activities like crafting and colouring—setting the tone for an imaginative and joyful experience. Inside, the set transported us straight to the farm, with a charming white picket fence, lush green grass, and of course, Charlotte’s iconic web. A clever rotating set transformed the barn into a vibrant carnival scene later on, with particularly beautiful artwork that brought the fair to life.

The adult cast, specially chosen by PIP Theatre as their children's ensemble for the year, truly embodied the energy, playfulness, and heart required for a show like this. You could feel the dedication and joy radiating from every performer.

Tayla Rankine was utterly adorable as Wilbur, the sweet, naïve piglet, bringing excellent physicality and expressive charm to the role. Ella Shegog’s Charlotte exuded grace and warmth, with her delicate black dress and spidery appendages making her both elegant and intriguing—a wise and whimsical guide on Wilbur’s journey.

The remaining ensemble cast juggled multiple characters with high energy and quick changes, never missing a beat. Max Kingsbury brought big laughs as Templeton, the grumpy, food-obsessed rat—his larger-than-life performance added the perfect dash of chaos. Jack Barrett was particularly hilarious as the honking Gander, with exaggerated voice and physical comedy that had the kids (and adults...) cracking up. Ben Cole was delightfully posh as the Goose and Lucy Holt gave us plenty of sass and sparkle as the fabulous Sheep. Liam Hartley served as both our storybook-style narrator and the boisterous, bogan-esque Uncle Pig at the fair—earning plenty of chuckles. Hannah Herwin brought sincerity and sweetness as Fern, the animal-loving girl at the heart of the tale.

The warm lighting and clever sound design helped create a fully immersive barnyard world, with thoughtful touches throughout—from the playful country accents to the magical reveal of Charlotte’s glittering web messages. “Some Pig,” “Terrific,” “Radiant,” and finally “Humble”—each word not only described Wilbur but perfectly captured Charlotte’s own spirit.

While Charlotte’s Web is famous for its bittersweet ending, Director Ava Moschetti handled it with sensitivity and care. The themes of loss, mortality, and compassion were presented in a way that respected young viewers’ emotional intelligence without ever becoming too heavy. At just 60 minutes, the show was the perfect length to keep children completely engaged, and the room was filled with laughter, wide eyes, and plenty of heartfelt reactions throughout. It’s one of those rare children’s shows that entertains while quietly planting seeds for deeper reflection.

This was a clever and heartfelt production that honoured the original story while breathing fresh life into it for a new generation. I was very grateful to be invited—it reminded me just how special theatre can be when seen through the eyes of a child. A huge congratulations to PIP Theatre for choosing such a timeless story to launch their children's season. It was some show indeed!