On Saturday we were lucky enough to attend one of the best events I've ever been invited to: a VIP Gala Performance of In The Night Garden in the O2 in London.

I took The Boy to see the ITNG tour when it visited Cardiff last year and he adored it. It was his first experience of the theatre and he sat captivated for nearly an hour at the tender age of 22 months old. He wasn't the only one, and I was 33 at the time! This year the tour is visiting some of the larger venues that it didn't cover last time around, but the two stories of the Ninky Nonk or Pinky Ponk are still the same. If it ain't broke, why try and fix it?

The whole experience, for it is just that, is something that every child should have. In a purpose built inflatable theatre, you are welcomed into a small and cosy auditorium. On this occasion, that doesn't mean cramped, it actually means cosy and welcoming. Reminiscent of an ampitheatre, the rows of seats face down to the grassy stage where Upsy Daisy, Iggle Piggle and Makka Pakka re-enact the moment when Iggle's blanket kept getting lost. With the help of the Tombliboos, the Pontipines and some very clever puppetry, Iggle is reunited with his beloved blanket in a heart-warming performance.

I can't express how enjoyable the whole performance is. With images projected onto the screen, scaled and proportional versions of  the main characters and brilliant acting, it is a must-see for all the family. And because of the clever layout of the auditorium, there is no worry of missing anything or not being able to see properly; we were sat in the fourth row back and there were another four or five rows behind us. But just look at how close we are to The Boy's beloved friends!

And of course, the best bit about the whole thing is getting to meet your hero or heroine from the show afterwards. Just look at his little face:

In The Night Garden Summer Tour is in the O2 until 9th June 2012, when it carries onto two other venues in London before travelling off to Manchester and Birmingham. Try and take your pre-schoolers, they will love every second of it!

More information on the Facebook page and by following the twitter account.

I received free entry into the performance in order to write this post. The Boy received a goody bag. My opinion and enjoyment is honest and unbiased.

I'm very excited!

This Saturday we're going to London with The Boy! It's our first time there as a trio, and the first time I've been to the UK's capital city in more than eight years. As we're also going to be going for a blogging conference in a month's time, I'm feeling extremely cosmopolitan all of a sudden.

However, this Saturday's trip is so that we can visit the O2 for a VIP performance of In The Night Garden Live!

We saw the smaller tour last year and absolutely adored it; my then not even two year old sat perfectly for nearly an hour, completely and utterly enraptured by the antics of Upsy Daisy, Iggle Piggle and Makka Pakka. He wasn't the only one as I was captivated by the magical performance as well. The puppetry was superb.

However this year the smash-hit show is bigger and better as it brings the world of In The Night Garden to the stage. The event will be taking place in its own all-weather purpose built inflatable showdome and is coming to The O2 after proving to be a huge hit across the country. Not only that, but we'll get to do something that we didn't last year: meet and greet Igglepiggle and Upsy Daisy. I know that's going to blow The Boy's mind!

The doors will open at 10am on Saturday 26th May for this special VIP event in the Live Quarter at The O2 in London, and we wouldn't miss it for the world!

For all the latest information on the tour, follow In The Night Garden on twitter and Facebook.

We are being provided with tickets for this event. My opinion and excitement is genuine and uncontainable.