As part of a large co-operation between several smaller scale to mid-scale TIE and touring children's theatre companies, the city of Leeds was awash with outdoor theatre for youngsters. One such endeavor was also filmed so that people not in the Leeds area might also have the chance to see what the city has been up to.
The shows were all performed outdoors and all abiding by scrict government covid social distancing guidelines, and as such, it put a huge onus on this particular show's performer, since he was left to perform this monologue to a small but widely spread group which would normally have formed a small huddle right in front of him. The monologue didn't particularly lend itself to full-on lecture-styled projection, but the actor handled it well nevertheless, and if it did phase him any, he didn't let it show.
The performance was titled, "How I Hacked My Way Into Space", and took the premise that he, Jon Spooner, had created his own space agency (UNSA), and that he had contacted and made friends with the very real and famous astronaut Tim Peake, and Peake had agreed to send a 3D printed mini-version of Spooner into space with him. There was humour, fun and bonhomie in the script along with some nice factual information too, which is what TIE (Theatre-In-Education) really ought to be about, but sadly sometimes isn't, and Spooner's manner and characteristaion was good and consistent, despite the slight delay in audience reaction.
I would also like to believe that Tim Peake actually did agree to be a part of this show and send the tiny 3D doll into space with him.. that would be a lovely touch of reality!
Spooner was obviously engaging, personable, and good at storytelling, but it was a difficult task trying to engage youngsters in space travel and all things astronautical in such a setting, when the first row is spread across such a wide area and is placed where normally his last row would be!
However, this is certainly one of the first public performances the country has seen in the last 5 months and as such that is in itself, a mini-miracle.
Reviewer - Chris Benchley
on - 9/8/20
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