This particular reviewer has seen productions by Folksy Theatre (the company producing and performing this afternoon) before, but they have been outdoor shows, with the cast performing in all weathers and struggling with vocal projection and connecting with all the audience. However, this afternoon at Sale's Waterside theatre, the audience were much more attentive and the interaction and connection was immediate right from the start.
A brightly painted and busy set design of four flats and a back cyc portrayed psychedelic images of the Alice story, whilst the three performers played a whole array of characters between them in a frenetic and fast-moving musical version of this well-known and loved classic children's story.
Aimed at children from 3 -7 some of the dialogue was a little too fast or complicated for them, but they were engaged and enjoying the story (mostly) throughout. Although they were waning and being distracted towards the end, and I felt that perhaps ten minutes from this show could easily be cut, as it was running this afternoon at 68 minutes.
Folksy Theatre (as indeed the name suggests) sing folk-style songs and these three performers played an array of instruments this afternoon between them, from all types of percussion, different styles of guitar, and keyboards. Their singing worked well, suiting the songs and the style nicely, and they made some lovely harmonies between them.
Costuming was minimal, and character changes were made with the addition of a hat or silly voice and little else. Sometimes puppetry was utilised, the White Rabbit being full of fun, and the caterpillar being a favourite for the tiny ones.
Ariane Murchie portrayed Alice, and her character was constant throughout. Dressed in a blue dress and white apron (what else?) she represented stability when all around her was forever changing. A very pleasing young actress and easy to watch. Working their socks off with ever-increasing madness were Laura Blair and Tom Hardwicke playing everything else in the story from dim-witted playing cards painting the rose bushes, to a completely mad Mad Hatter, to an imperious Cheshire Cat, and an Off-Her-Head Queen!
The story was filled with songs, and although these were good, I think they might have been better appreciated by the youngsters if there had been fewer and with much easier refrains played over and over so they could join in. They were very "adult" in nature.
Overall, the production worked much better in a theatre than in the open air, and the audience responded more easily and readily too. A fun show, performed by three tireless and obviously talented actors/actresses.
Reviewer - Matthew Dougall
on - 23.3.24
on - 23.3.24
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