Look out! The Gruffalo is about. Proceed with caution on the way to the Quays Theatre. Well… in reality, The Gruffalo is a big softie who’s afraid of mice. The message being: don’t judge a book by its cover.
Walking into the auditorium, what first caught my eye was the enchanting set of the spooky woods. The bare trees crest over like a wave, ready to sink their victim. It’s mysterious and frightening but not too terrifying. The heavenly white light of the moon is rather comforting and the snow covered set is rather peaceful.
Of course it has to start with a snowball fight between the three actors: Althea Burey (The Gruffalo’s Child), Emily Essery (The Mouse) and Dominic Gee Burch (The Gruffalo/Predators).
Award-winning theatre company Tall Stories have devised a musical adaptation of The Gruffalo’s Child, which hits the right note for little ones and grown-ups. It was adapted from the dearly-loved picture book by Julia Donaldson and Axel Scheffler about bravery, fear, and love.
It was a cold, dark, and windy night on the edge of the woods. The Gruffalo’s Child ignored her daddy’s warning to never, ever, ever, ever go into the deep dark woods because of the Big Bad Mouse. She sneaked out of the cave while her dad was asleep and with her stick man (you’ve guessed it) called Stick, The Gruffalo’s Child went on a big adventure. Along the way, she met various predators who were all scared of her monstrous daddy. Is the Big Bad Mouse real? Will she find her way back to the cave?
The attention to detail was great in the costumes, allowing your imagination to run wild regarding the various characters. Due to the nature of the production, the movement was highly physical and animalistic. The performers were committed and capable in the execution of the movement. Reoccurring visual motifs like the tracks in the snow or the story of the Big Band Mouse were playful and engaging. They were proficient when it came to singing the catchy musical numbers. Kelly’s paternal singing tones sounded lovely in contrast with Wall and Burey’s child-like vocal quality.
There was plenty of humour to be found in the personality traits of the numerous characters such as the RAF inspired Owl or the swindling Fox. They’ve got the balance spot on between it being a perilous journey and also a life-changing quest. The audience participation wasn’t forced in to the production, it was fun. It was a team effort as the actors switched from being narrators of the story to playing different animals.
“The Gruffalo’s Child” reminds children and adults alike of the fear of the other as well as the fear of the unknown. It teaches compassion, empathy, and kindness. That’s the magic in the story which Tall Stories have captured so well.
Reviewer - Sam Lowe
on - 7/12/19
No comments:
Post a Comment