Martha Howe-Douglas

OK, so this fantasy family comedy was superb last week, but opening episodes are sweated over for weeks to achieve perfection. Does Yonderland have enough ideas to keep a series going? Based on this new instalment, the bad news for jealous rivals is yes, it does.

Debbie (Martha Howe-Douglas) happens on a monastery that has been smashed by ogres on the orders of pathetic overlord Negatus: the survivors are on the run but their order worships truth, so to stop them turning themselves in Debbie must teach them to lie. This simple premise is mined for every gag going, with lovely throwaway jokes all over the place. There's a smile in every scene. Someone's sweated over this for weeks as well.

Jack Seale, Radio Times, 17th November 2013

The Horrible Histories cast heads to the lushly appointed creative playground that is [y]Sky[/y], for a new comedy where their imagination is unencumbered by facts. Martha Howe-Douglas is the bewildered everywoman in a people-and-puppets fantasy that's loosely Monty Python's Life of Brian meets Labyrinth: a bored housewife steps through a portal in her larder and, reluctantly at first, embarks on a heroic quest in another realm. Here be talking sticks, foaming potions, squabbling elders and friendly giants who kill you by mistake.

Yonderland consistently takes the best of two worlds. It looks incredible but is more concerned with gags and plot; it has fun within the fantasy genre without resorting to snide spoof; and, crucially, it will make kids and adults laugh together, at the same jokes. If you don't have Sky, gather the family and descend on a household that does.

Jack Seale, Radio Times, 10th November 2013

Not much sign of a sophomore slump for the Horrible Histories team, as they rekindle the endearing daftness of their crossover CBBC hit, only without having to adhere to stuff like, y'know, actual facts.

Exhausted working mum Debbie (Martha Howe-Douglas) discovers an elf in her kitchen cupboard and, with it, a portal into Yonderland and an escape from domestic drudgery. And lo, she enters a fantasy world peopled by dissolute wizards, dull-witted treemen and a bickering council of elders (HH regulars Mat Baynton, Simon Farnaby et al) who, handily, have a few quests that need completing.

Borrowing liberally from Jim Henson in both its tone and heavy use of puppets, Yonderland showcases a crack comic ensemble brimming with confidence. Indeed, the performances are generally stronger and more consistent than the writing, but there's no shortage of chuckles, and it gains momentum over the course of this opening double bill. And ultimately, such gleeful silliness is always to be encouraged.

Gabriel Tate, Time Out, 10th November 2013