{KIDS} Reviews
BAGPUSS Stage adaptation that’s just about purrfect ●●●●●
In 2001, Bagpuss came fourth in Channel 4’s 100 Greatest Kids’ TV Shows opinion poll – and for good reason. Oliver Postgate and Peter Firmin’s 1970s programme had a warm simplicity that hooked you in with imaginative tales, then rocked you gently in its arms. So too Soho Theatre’s inspired adaptation.
Set in Emily’s infamous shop, the show takes three original episodes – The Hamish, The Ballet Shoe and Uncle Feedle – and reinvents them for the stage. The programme’s major players, Professor Yaffle, Madeleine the rag doll, Gabriel the toad, the organ mice and, of course, Bagpuss himself, are all manipulated by two talented performers. While the short films, once shown through the thought bubble above Bagpuss’ head, are now acted out in full. The central conceit (which is more for the nostalgic
adults in the audience than their young charges) is that Emily is now grown up, and has returned to the shop on the day of her father’s funeral. There, she encounters a young girl (her younger self presumably) and a whole heap of memories. Together, they bring the toys to life, peppering the tales with some of Postgate’s most memorable lines.
There are so many things that Soho Theatre has got right in this beautifully constructed production, it’s impossible to list them all. But the set is certainly one of them, perfectly evoking the original shop, with a few innovative embellishments. The two hard-working performers deliver each character with gusto and sing beautifully, keeping children engaged throughout. While the use of the original music, and re-worked sepia-tinged photographs ensure this is a touching trip down memory lane for the adults. (Kelly Apter) ■ Assembly George Square, 623 3030, until 28 Aug (not 15), 12pm, £12–£14 (£8).
POP-UP! THE AMAZING ADVENTURES OF MOO-DONG The art of entertaining ●●●●●
THE TIM BAT TRICK SHOW Slickness and silliness in equal measure ●●●●● UNDER THE BAOBAB TREE Animal tales from Africa ●●●●●
L A V I T S E F
Theatre Bom’s Pop-Up! is based around the inspired notion of recreating famous paintings, such as Arcimboldo’s ‘fruit faces’ and Seurat’s ‘Sunday Afternoon on the Island of La Grande Jette’, live onstage. Don’t be nervous: in-depth knowledge of art history is not required, just a free hour and a daft sense of humour. Tim Bat has been doing the Fringe for so long, he could probably deliver his act with his eyes closed. Which is actually not a bad idea – it might make the tricks he delivers a touch more daring. In an age when circus performers push the boundaries of capability on a daily basis, Bat’s juggling/spinning/ twirling is all rather tame. But then that’s part of his charm.
There’s a very sketchy (sorry) story here, about a Over the course of an hour, this likeable ‘gentleman
girl whose interactions with well-known artworks tend to lead to chaos, but this is really a pretext for a load of silly visual gags and some striking tableaux. There’s also a lovely sequence in which Moo-Dong
stumbles across a giant-sized jigsaw version of Arcimboldo’s ‘Summer’ and has to put all the pieces together with a little help from the audience. Another episode features a carnival of ingenious puppet zoo animals, including an elephant, a zebra and a snake, who chase Moo-Dong around the stage.
Only the rather insipid deconstruction of Seurat’s work falls a little flat, but otherwise there’s plenty of colour and movement here to keep younger kids and daft grown-ups entertained. (Allan Radcliffe) ■ C Chambers Street, 0845 260 1234, until 29 Aug (not 15), 11.10am, £7.50–£8.50 (£6.50–£7.50).
64 THE LIST 11–18 Aug 2011
juggler’, as he calls himself, more than endears himself to the audience. When it comes to silliness, Bat is a serial offender, and while his between trick banter isn’t exactly comedy gold, it’s very often a pleasingly polished bronze. For the most part, his tricks are slick – in particular a rather nifty knife/spinning top combination – and clearly hard-won after years of practice.
Naughty but loveable puppets, Mongo McMongoose and Lucy and Lamb also make an appearance, along with some cowboyesque rope spinning, city gent brolly twirling and messy food juggling, in a show that’s warm hearted but won’t set the world on fire. (Kelly Apter) ■ Pleasance Courtyard, 556 6550, until 18 Aug, 10.20am, £7–£8 (£6–£7).
Do you know how the hyena got its laugh or the ostrich got its long neck? Performed by Edinburgh- based Toto Tales and Singapore’s I Theatre, Under the Baobab Tree is an hour of gentle storytelling dressed up in an array of colourful costumes.
Toto’s Mara Menzies hails from Kenya, so we’re all invited to say ‘Jambo!’ to each animal as it appears – and there’s no shortage of them. As well as the aforementioned hyena and ostrich, Menzies’ tales also feature a lion, chameleon, monkey, a beautifully made crocodile and a witty, RSC-aspiring zebra.
Aimed at ages 3-8, the tales are short and simple,
but performed with exuberance, with a few original songs thrown in. There’s nothing dazzlingly innovative at play here, but Menzies knows how to build up a rapport with children and keeps them engaged throughout. (Kelly Apter) ■ C too, 0845 260 1234, until 27 Aug (not 14, 21), 10am. £6.50–£8.50 (£4.50–£7.50).
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