UK Theatre Network

Don’t worry, pre-schoolers don’t remember anything.

Everyday we read about child abuse. Every other day the police secures pornographic photos of children and hopefully arrests the perpetrator. But are we really aware of what this entails? These are photos of children being raped, assaulted, battered, tortured and killed. Many of the children are abused by their families or carers, many are sold by their own parents to paedophiles.  

Raven Kaliana, herself a victim of extreme child abuse, wrote this autobiographical play to make people aware of what is happening to these children. She uses puppets to portray the children because it would not be possible for child actors to play these horrible scenes. Most of the adults are shown only from the waist down. Each of the adult characters is played by two actors – one is physically on stage, the other provides the voice.  

Sylvia, a little girl, is playing with her toy rabbit when her mother (Sue) interrupts her game to take her to a photographer. Sue is having lunch with her friend Jill while the photographer shoots pornographic pictures of Sylvia and Jill’s litte boy named Martin. Jill is somewhat concerned about the effect those photo sessions might have on the children but Sue tells her not to worry: "Pre-schoolers don't remember anything." After a few years Sylvia’s parents decide that they could earn a lot more money by going to Hollywood where Sylvia would make it big in the movies. But Sylvia is growing up.  

Raven Kaliana’s story is very powerful and deeply disturbing. The two children Sylvia and Martin are touchingly played by the puppeteers Sara Kirkpatrick and Kat Damvoglou. Neither of them has any text but a melancholy violin – played by the wonderful violinist Susanna Ferrar - sets the mood and translates the children’s emotions into music. I found the scene changes a bit too long but Raven explained that several video clips had been missing which should be included in future shows.

There will be a post-show talk.

Adult audiences only.

29 June – 11 July, Tue – Sat 7.30 pm, Sun 6.30 pm

Tickets: £ 10 / £8 (concessions)

BOX OFFICE: 020 7704 6665

The Rosemary Branch, 2 Shepperton Road, London N1 3DT