list.co.uk/kids PREVIEWS | KIDS
MUSIC / FILM WALLACE & GROMIT’S MUSICAL MARVELS Usher Hall, Edinburgh, Sat 8 Jun; Royal Concert Hall, Glasgow, Sun 9 Jun
It’s been exactly 30 years since Wallace & Gromit, Nick Park’s series of animated comedies about one man and his dog, debuted with A Grand Day Out, and since then there have been multiple spin-offs and three Academy Award wins. Meanwhile, having spent four years performing a fully orchestral take on The Snowman, Carrot Productions’ managing director Rachel Whibley decided it was time to take on a new challenge and expand the company's repertoire. ‘However, I’m quite fussy,’ she says, ‘and only wanted to collaborate with a British brand that I loved and respected. So I contacted Aardman in 2017 to see if we might work together on this – and 18 short months later, here we are!’
Wallace & Gromit’s Musical Marvels pairs a live orchestral
score to selected screen adventures of the title characters, Aardman’s most famous creations. Over two halves, the show will present bespoke animations created by the Aardman team – originally for the BBC Proms in 2012 – and Julian Nott’s original score for The Wrong Trousers. Composer Daniel Whibley has introduced new music for the first part, while the BBC Symphony Orchestra’s Steve Magee conducts, and the show is presented by cellist, actor and singer Matthew Sharp. And everything we’ll see has been fully approved by Aardman.
‘I’m so pleased with everything about it,’ says Rachel.
‘It’s been such a labour of love for so many people, a true collaboration, and has resulted in the most amazing experience for both the audience and performers. I hope they’ll be thrilled, entertained, moved and exhilarated in equal measure. The reaction has been phenomenal from everyone, we couldn’t be happier or more proud.’ (David Pollock)
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STAGE ADAPTATION HORRIBLE HISTORIES King's Theatre, Glasgow, Wed 5–Sun 9 Jun; King’s Theatre, Edinburgh, Thu 13–Sun 16 Jun
Audiences go through the gamut of emotions while attending a Horrible Histories stage show. One minute covering their eyes in terror, the next holding onto their tummies in case their most recent meal returns thanks to the horror unfolding, before laughing their heads – like two of Henry VIII’s wives – right off. Actor Simon Nock is unapologetic about the more gory elements in
Birmingham Stage Company’s Horrible Histories experience. ‘The show brings a very anarchic, exciting telling of history through its many gruesome tales,’ says Nock. ‘I think its main weapon is that it doesn’t pander to children; it shows the blood and gore, and through this it attempts, very successfully, to make history interesting. It’s also enjoyed by children young and old, and an entire family can come and see our shows, have a brilliant time and learn a great deal.’ This most recent version of the brand is a double dose of nastiness with
Terrible Tudors and Awful Egyptians. Which period does Nock reckon was the ghastliest? ‘Tudor times were pretty horrible, especially with Henry VIII around, beheading wives! The Tudor period, though, lasted for just over 100 years while the pharaohs ruled for hundreds and hundreds of years. There must have been many more horrible things that a poor Egyptian would have to contend with, especially with some of those mad pharaohs around.’ (Brian Donaldson)
OUTDOOR THEATRE THE SECRET GARDEN Greenbank Garden, Glasgow, Tue 6 Aug
Transporting an audience to a different world is the aim of every theatre company. But with its latest production, Chapterhouse has been given something of a head start, with each date on its UK tour of The Secret Garden taking place in an actual garden. ‘There’s so much emphasis on the garden and the natural world in the novel,’ says Richard Main, artistic director of Chapterhouse. ‘Frances Hodgson Burnett wrote, “If you look the right way, you can see that the whole world is a garden.” And although it’s fine to stage a production of The Secret Garden indoors, I think by performing it outdoors we can help the audience feel more connected with Mary’s adventure. As she experiences the garden, so do we.’
It’s over 100 years since Hodgson Burnett wrote her novel, and life for today’s
children is very different in terms of their relationship with Mother Nature, something the production is hoping to address. ‘We’ve adapted and directed the show with children and families very much in mind,’ says Main. ‘Getting children outdoors and engaged with nature is more important than ever.’
The novel itself also contains a lesson we all need to learn when passing from childhood into adulthood. ‘The story tracks that important progression from selfishness to selflessness the more we experience the world,’ says Main. ‘By finding herself in a new environment, Mary softens from being spoilt and petulant to someone more understanding and thoughtful.’ (Kelly Apter)
1 Jun–31 Aug 2019 THE LIST 97