FESTIVAL KIDS | Reviews
THE GIANT JAM SANDWICH Perfect adaptation of much-loved picture book ●●●●●
Bursting with songs, humour and clever references for the grown-ups, New Perspectives Theatre Company have brought John Vernon Lord and Janet Burroway’s fabulous children's picture book to the stage in a full-fruit version with added bite. Jack McNamara, who is responsible for the adaptation,
certainly knows what is needed for such an enterprise. Trading on the familiar with a recorded introduction, the main plot is quickly underway, as many wasps arrive in the village of Itching Down and the villagers don't know what to do.
McNamara makes no attempt to reproduce the book, but fleshes out the bones of its plot and rhymes, creating fully rounded characters as the driving forces behind the villager's plan to create a huge sandwich and trap the swarming wasps. Music provides another dimension – and none of your half-
hearted ditty nonsense for James Atherton. His score allows the actors to throw back their heads and let it rip – particularly Paul Critoph as Bap and Sarah Ratheram's strongly vocal Seed. Expanding the plot allows Bun a backstory – his wife left him
for a cheese maker. Crucial to the story now is Mayor Muddlenut, who Christopher Finn creates as kindly and knowing but with the prickliness of an exasperated teacher.
The wasps now have voices while the villagers themselves swarm around thanks to the judicious use of hats to create a succession of quick-change characters. The giant loaf feels suitably huge and is made with a nicely finessed bit of audience participation, and the odd extra character brings this into the 21st century, while maintaining its 1970s feel. This is exactly how to adapt picture books for the stage, and
it’s perfect for fans and newbies alike. (Thom Dibdin) ■ Pleasance Courtyard, until 28 Aug (not 14), 10.20am, £9.50–£11.50 (£8.50–£10.50).
JASON AND THE ARGONAUTS Highly physical take on Greek myth ●●●●●
SARAH AND DUCK Stage adaption of CBeebies animation ●●●●● A STRANGE NEW SPACE Moving journey into space for ages 4+ ●●●●●
Greek myths may be full of action and adventure, but they’re also big on complicated names and intricate plotlines. So it’s testament to the talented young actors of Bristol Old Vic Theatre School that this absorbing production charts a clear path from beginning to end.
The story of Jason and his quest to bag the
Golden Fleece in order to take his rightful place on the throne is otherworldly and unfamiliar in the present day.
But the scene that greets us as we enter the theatre here is, sadly, far more recognisable: refugees, dirty and devoid of hope, sitting around aimlessly waiting for their lives to take a turn for the better.
It’s this disparate group of people who become Jason’s crew, sticking closely to the original myth with their tales, but with a poignant sub-plot about the need for tolerance in the face of difference. The exciting narrative is matched by energetic performances that dial down the drama and turn up the compassion as and when required, to create a show that’s both absorbing and touching. (Kelly Apter) ■ theSpace on Niddry Street, until 19 Aug (not 13), 9am (9.35am from 14–19), £8 (£6).
74 THE LIST FESTIVAL 10–17 Aug 2017
There is a slightly surreal feel to this hour-long stage adaptation of CBeebies animation, Sarah and Duck which reflects the original but which isn’t quite in sync with a live performance. The plot includes all the necessary elements and characters, as Sarah and her companion Duck discover that it’s Scarf Lady's birthday, and conspire to create a big top birthday bash for her. John and his Flamingo, the Ribbon Twins, Moon and even Bug make their appearances. Aficionados will also happily note that Sarah plays tuba.
The furiously imaginative power of child’s play is recreated in this one-woman piece by Tessa Bide and her company, with the simplest of materials adapted to create a journey into outer space. Bide, gleeful and ready for adventure, makes an old juice bottle into a rocket to the stars and two bike lights into the eyes of an alien creature. She produces mother-and-daughter dolls from the large cardboard box centre stage, grabs a storybook which guides her adventures from her bag – and then creates a little robot guide to help her on her travels in a lovely, touching moment.
Roger Allam provides the voice of the narrator, The combination of silent physical theatre and
with his off-key comments which go above Sarah's head, and Lesley Nicol is the voice of Scarf Lady – the only character not represented by a puppet. With its episodic structure, the show hits the right pacing to engage its audience. The big quibble, though, is in the puppetry itself. The five puppeteers / actors never embody their puppet's desires, largely because nearly all the dialogue is recorded. It’s noticeable that on the one occasion they do speak – to interact with the narrator and build the big top – the pace and immediacy pick up. (Thom Dibdin) ■ Underbelly Med Quad, until 20 August (not 14), 11.10am, £11–£12 (£9.50–£10.50).
puppetry is a winning one, and smaller children will be enthralled by the imagination at play (there’s a large behind-the-scenes staff, and the work of designer Sarah Dicks and lighting designer Joe Stathers is particularly effective). Yet the greater meaning behind the piece – that the girl played by Bide is a refugee, escaping the mundane horror of her existence with the junk around her in lieu of toys – is so light touch as to be hard to spot. However, the sense of absence from a parent is poignantly expressed, along with the feeling of wariness in setting foot into a new world. (David Pollock) ■ Summerhall, until 27 Aug (not 14, 21), 10.45am, £8 (£6).