Get your party hats on for a show that is bound to set tails wagging – Spot the Dog is turning 32.

Kids and parents can help the much-loved pup celebrate his birthday at the Rose Theatre with songs, a rabbit magician, and more.

Spot has also invited his friends Steve the monkey, Helen the hippo, and Tom the crocodile, to share the fun.

Eric Hill’s early-years favourite was adapted for the stage by children’s theatre veteran David Wood. The show is touring again for the first time in eight years.

Wood says: “It is very much a family show, in the sense that it is a birthday party and children are encouraged to come dressed for a party.

“There are games so that you get the whole audience playing musical statues.

“They are guests at the party so they join in quite a lot of things. The whole thing is audience participation to a great degree – it is a communal experience.

Wood has brought classics like Babe, The Sheep-Pig and Tom’s Midnight Garden to theatres around the country.

He says the business of keeping children entertained is its own reward. He says: “The challenge is what keeps me going.

"Finding ways to rivet those children to their seating wanting to know what happens next, and enjoy engaging with the characters.

“It is a very rewarding area – it is very exciting when you get it right.”

Wood adds: “There has been an explosion in shows for this age group and the Rose have made a big thing of doing these shows for young children.

“I think it is an admirable thing that the Rose does. They feel that young children are very important in their programming.”

Spot’s Birthday Party; Rose Theatre, 24-26 High Street, Kingston; Friday, June 7 to Sunday, June 9; 1.30pm or 10.30am; £12; Visit rosetheatrekingston.org or call 08444 821556.