The Sea Show at The Square Tower, Old Portsmouth REVIEW: 'Our boys laughed hysterically throughout'

But those of us in the audience for The Sea Show hadn’t reckoned with Sammy the sea-squirt.

Squashbox Theatre, which is essentially the work of one-man operation Craig Johnson, brought an hour’s worth of family fun to Old Portsmouth as part of the New Theatre Royal-curated Festival of The Sea.

Aimed at children, the adults present nonetheless laughed and cheered along almost as enthusiastically as the youngsters.

The show doesn’t have a narrative as such, it’s more a collection of skits which look at various aspects of, you’ve guessed it, the sea and all things watery – there’s jokes, stories and it even manages to smuggle in some bits that could be classed as educational.

He introduces a series of puppet-based characters such as Captain Pemburthy, the pilchard lady, a surfer dude, the ‘most beautiful mermaid’ you’ll ever see (although that last one is seriously up for debate), as well as various creatures, from Ruan the seagull to the inhabitants of Johnson’s rockpool – including a memorable anemone…

Oh yes, and Sammy, who gives the audience a couple of light dousings, water-pistol-style, to squeals of delight from the children.

The humour is largely pantomimesque, and this audience willingly participated in the shout-outs and ‘He’s behind you’ moments.

There’s also the occasional knowing nod to the grown-ups watching, but it’s gentle stuff that stops some distance shy of your average saucy postcard.

And we get a sea shanty on the eponymous squashbox, which proves a winner, getting the children up and dancing.

There is also an ecological message about cleaning up after ourselves and to not leave plastic in particular behind on the beach, but the show wears it lightly rather than beat you over the head with it.

Our twin boys, just short of five, laughed hysterically throughout and talked about it nonstop afterwards. I can give it no higher recommendation.