Festival Kids
CAT AND NO MOUSE Tom and Jerry-style capers 000
Dressed in how ties and tails, a tioss,’ cat and gullible mouse atteiript to put on a show, Only trouble is, Cat is corwincerl she can go it alone as the star of the show is hence the title.
Setting her ego aside for one minute.
Cat agrees to perform the Brothers Grimm tale. Cat and Mouse. And Willi limited set and costuriie. they bring the tale to life. Written and directed by Toby Mitchell, (:o-founder of children's theatre company, Tall Stories. this is a fun 50 minutes of Tom and Jerry style slapstick and Morecoriibe and Wiseque one upmanship.
Performers, Becky Kitter and Sarah Thomas Lane are a great comedy doublesact. wrth Kitter in particular a treasure chest of funny faces and cartoon falls. And while the script may not be as substantial as some of Mitchell's other offerings. this is still a wholly eriioyable way to start your Fringe day. (Kelly Apter)
I C, 0845 2607234. until 27 Aug. 70. 30am, LEGO-£8.50 (£‘4.50—£‘b‘.50).
MEN OF STEEL
Mess, mayhem and mischief OOOO
There are three feisty cookie cutters on the prowl, storming around havrng adventures and getting up to mischief. They're powered by a trio of talented young puppeteers. a creative bunch
who've already found success wrth the
piece in their native Australia.
The show is mayhem: chaotic worlds are created usmg nothing but kitchen utensns and nonsenSical noises. It can be hard to work out what‘s gomg on at p0ints. but the high voltage energy ensures that the entertainment never flags. even when the rationale does. It’s diyided into sections. meanrng easy digestion for short attentions spans. while the ingenuity of the talented performers will keep all but the grumpiest adults entertained.
The use of tomato ketchup and a
THE BOY AND THE DOG WHO WALKED TO THE MOON
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TALKING PANTS Ridiculous thoughts brought to entertaining life 00.
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JAMES CAMPBELL’S ONOMATOPEIA SOCIETY III &
SPINISTRY or MOONERISM ,1 l Double helping of Campbell comedy 1,“: ,‘ I, I; x", ' ’ James Campbell is, deservedly, at the forefront of the children's comedy lam ' i it ’ " i r r r v r r i «2 scene and his shows will always attract a loyal following, which makes the ‘rr w. ' -' win 4 .’ 'r I slight flatness of this year’s offering confusing. Alongside the popular fzw ; ’l::' r; vim Comedy Club 4 Kids, he's written two plays that run simultaneously, with 2:7 '1 nzr .e ' er ‘r’ ' :1 ' ,‘ entwined storylines and a shared cast. i '-',-' or e? . r: a;
The Spinistry of Moonerism (0000 ) is led by the phenomenal Janice ha." i,- Phayre, whose wonderfully bemused ‘teadheacher’ is a revelation, t .e'. l,’ .
alternating between comedic brilliance and heart-wrenching vulnerability. This is a delightful show, set in a school for those that wix up their mords, with very cute pupils Dog and Cat charming the socks off the audience from the start.
On the lower floor The Onomatopoeia Society III (000 ) concentrates on the Vegetarian Amputation Project, starring comedian Glenn Wool, whose main role seems to be exuding charm and moustache. This room never seems to find its feet and feels oddly stilted, as the concept (amputating animals' limbs, so vegetarians don't feel guilty about meat) is never really explored enough for younger audience members to get a hold of. It’s still a funny show, with lovely songs and great performances, it’s just not outstanding.
The plays are clever, but Campbell appears to have concentrated so much on the ideas that he’s lost something in entertainment value. (Sian Bevan) IASSQ/Nbr’y Rooms. 623 3030. ETA/x 3.40.9": 91—5 7 5-71-26
48 THE LIST FESTIVAL MAGAZINE 16—23 Aug 203,“