UK Theatre Network

David Walliams’s odorous childrens novel is transformed into an entertaining family musical with a ‘scratch n sniff’ twist at the King’s Theatre this week.

 

Twelve year old Chloe is bullied at school and somewhat lonely.  Mr. Stink, a local well-mannered tramp, befriends her and accepts an invitation to live in her shed.  This is to the horror of Chloe’s snobbish mother who is campaigning to become a local MP!  A local newspaper gets hold of the story and soon Chloe’s mother is thrust into the limelight as the press mistakenly assume this as a move to eradicate homelessness on the part of the prospective parliamentary candidate.  But, as in all children’s stories, the truth has a habit of coming out when the grown-ups least expect it!

 

The show is heralded as a World Premier of the “scratch n sniff” musical.  The format is certainly a success for the intended audience of young families … although I’m sure it does borrow something from Opera North’s production of “Love for Three Oranges” in the early nineties (I’m sure none of the intended audience of 6 – 12 year olds had the pleasure of attending that production).  The six supplied smells in the Quentin Blake illustrated booklet were certainly revolting but were a little similar to each other.  This was the only disappointment, though, as other production qualities were very well executed.  Matt Brind’s original music, in particular, was excellent (as you would expect from the man behind Legally Blonde).

 

Performances from Peter Edbrook (as Mr Stink) and Lotte Gilmore (Chloe) were charming and engaging in equal measure.  The supporting cast who played several roles and also presented the puppet characters (including Mr. Stink’s dog, Duchess and Chloe’s perfect sister, Annabelle) were animated and entertaining throughout.

 

An enjoyable family treat!.

 

Listings Info:

 

Mr. Stink

Tuesday 12 – Saturday 16^th July

Tickets: £18

Box Office 08448 717 648 (Bkg fee)

www.ambassadortickets.com/glasgow (bkg fee)

Children’s entertainers are among the most important people in theatre.

Because of them a child may go on to enjoy a lifetime of theatregoing or they may never want to experience it again.

And yet children’s entertainers get little recognition. Many people disregard a 45-minute show for four-year-olds as ‘simple’ and having no substance, and the performer as on the bottom rung of the ladder, not experienced enough to do the ‘serious stuff’. Yet it can be the hardest job in the world to engage little ones for any length of time and great skill is needed to keep them entertained.

As Circo Ridiculoso, Danny Schlesinger is a master of his art. A graduate of Circomedia circus school and Ecole Lassadd in Brussels, where he studied for two years, his work also includes cabaret and workshops and as an actor he was the star of the short Norwegian film Sniffer, which won many awards including the best short film at Cannes 2006.

But as Danny, the Wild Balloon Tamer, his attempts to grow balloons in pots has his young (and not so young) audiences totally enthralled and giggling within seconds – with no words, just a cheeky, expressive face, a few grunts and sighs, a couple of wayward caterpillars and a myriad of butterflies.

It’s a feast of physical and visual tomfoolery which undoubtedly opens the doors to a lifetime of the fantastic world of make-believe – the theatre! And, on a more serious note, shows such as this are cheap to stage and therefore a mainstay for arts centres like Norden Farm, whose grants are being cut.

Danny and his shows can be seen on:

June 11: Holloway Arts Festival, Islington

June 25 Maltings, Farnham

July 17 Barnsley Civic

July 21-23 iTeatri del Mondi International Children’s Festival, Italy

July 30-31 Big Cheese Festival, Caerphilly

August 13 Norwich Puppet Theatre

 

Underneath the Floorboards – BalletLORENT at Northern Stage, Newcastle

Anything that helps get kids hooked on theatre and the arts, at the earliest age possible, is a good thing in my opinion. So much the better when the production is of the quality of balletLORENT’s ‘Underneath the Floorboards’.

Aimed at the under 5’s, this enchanting show tells the story of John (Jon Beney) as he prepares to pack up his toys in readiness for moving house. Whilst in the process, he discovers a strange world beneath his bedroom floor. But, when he can’t find his way back, he worries he’ll be left behind . . . until a host of weird, wonderful and curious creatures begin to appear from the shadows.

Firstly, he meets a shy fawn (beautifully brought to life by the amazingly agile Gwen Berwick), then a mischievous, shaggy character called Gruffy (Gavin Coward) and, finally, the enigmatic Mimic (Philippa White), who mirrors the movement of those she meets.

Ben Crompton’s story is beautifully beguiling and is simple enough for the youngsters to engage with and, because it isn’t contrived or patronising in the least, it is strangely absorbing for adults, too. The piece integrates Kit Haigh’s music and catchy songs seamlessly and Matt Britten’s lighting design creates evocative atmospheres extremely effectively.

Paul Shriek’s costume design incorporates a range of fabrics, textures and colours to stimulate the youngsters’ sense of touch and sight and, indeed, they are actively encouraged to be tactile with them.

The show has an intimate setting, to ensure a comfortable viewing experience for both children and adults, with ease of access to encourage the young people to freely interact with the performers and the story.  The theatre space has been kitted out with a soft floor, cushions and a seated area.  This approach continues to champion the defined methodology delivered by balletLORENT and Northern Stage intended to entertain and inform this age group.

 

Liv Lorent’s choreography compliments characterisation and it is the perfect way of introducing movement and dance to small children. It has been carefully constructed to enable them to safely get close to the dancers without putting themselves in harm’s way.

 

Indeed, every aspect of this delightful dance production is commendable and the most ringing endorsement of all came from the youngsters, some of whom engaged with the piece so actively that they almost stole the limelight from the four highly-talented dancers.

 

Steve Burbridge.

 

Reviewed at Northern Stage on Wednesday 26 January 2011. Transfers to Gateshead Old Town Hall on Thursday 27 & Friday 28 January 2011.

 

George’s Marvellous Medicine

Darlington Civic Theatre

Roald Dahl’s amazing story about a boy who concocts a marvellous medicine from an astonishing array of household ingredients is vibrantly and vividly brought to life in The Birmingham Stage Company’s production of ‘George’s Marvellous Medicine’.

Newly adapted by David Wood, it tells the story of George, a likeable young lad who is a little put-upon by his parents who run a farm. Matters are made worse for the young lad (who is wonderfully played by an energetic and enthusiastic Clark Devlin) when he learns that his cantankerous and crabby grandmother will be coming to stay with the family while she convalesces. This really puts the dampers on his school holiday and deprives him of the chance to finish his book about a boy wizard.

Deciding the medicine that his demonic and demanding grandmother must take three times a day is not making her any ‘better’, George decides to come up with one of his own. But when his grandmother drinks the special potion, the most incredible things start to happen and George’s adventure really begins!

Designer Jacqueline Trousdale has come up with a set that is both visually impressive and extremely functional. The ramshackle farmhouse is really as much a character as George, Mum, Dad or Grandmother. Gillian Malster’s costumes give the characters an authentic and colourful comic-book look.

Although it is, undoubtedly, Clark Devlin as George who carries the entire piece and has the youngsters in the audience joining in for all they are worth, he is ably supported by the rotund Alison Fitzjohn as Mum, the madcap Richard Mullins as Dad and villain-of-the-piece Erika Poole as Grandmother.

The farmyard occupants are brought to life with sound effects by Tom Lishman and amusing puppets by Roman Stefanski. Matthew Scott’s music matched the pace of the on-stage action and was quite catchy, too.

Despite the fact that ‘George’s Marvellous Medicine’ does not stand up as well against other Dahl classics such as ‘Charlie and the Chocolate Factory’, ‘Matilda’ and ‘James and the Giant Peach’ in terms of imagination and plot development, as an individual piece of children’s theatre it succeeded in keeping the kids entertained throughout – and perhaps it is being churlish to ask for anything more than that?

Steve Burbridge.

Runs Until 13^th November 2010.

 

Motherhood The Musical is a perfect women's night out. It's hilariously funny but poignant at the same time-you won't want the evening to end.
A talented cast share with us the experiences of four women at different stages of motherhood when they throw the youngest of their friends a baby shower. 
Fantastic comedy song and dance routines, by writer Sue Fabisch and director/choreographer Andrew Lynford, will have you roaring with laughter.  
All of the cast have impeccable vocals and excellent comic timing; but Leah MacRae really steals the show. Her portrayal of down-trodden but loveable mother Barb is priceless.
This musical is a superb production and really is a must-see. There is something for all females to identify with; mothers or not. A celebration of all that makes women unique. 

Listings:

Tue 12- Sat 16 October
Tue- Thur eve 7.30pm
Fri eve 8.30pm
Sat eve 8.30pm
Box Office: 08448 717 648 (bkg fee)
www.ambassadortickets.com/glasgow (bkg fee)
 

Disney On Ice: 100 Years of Magic

The Metro Radio Arena, Newcastle upon Tyne

The Metro Radio Arena was full of budding Buzz Lightyear’s and miniature princesses, all looking as pretty as a picture, as Mickey, Minnie, Goofy and company brought the ‘Disney on Ice: 100 Years of Magic’ show to town.

This magical and enchanting production is, essentially, a chance to reacquaint yourself (and your children!) with all your favourite Disney characters on a whistle-stop tour through many of the most popular and famous animated feature films.

The kids sat mesmerised, occasionally coming out of their collective trance to let out a squeal of delight, whilst even the most cynical of adults eventually relented and allowed their inner-child to come out.

The show takes the form of fourteen vignettes, each with a different mood, tone and look. It kicks off with ‘Aladdin’ and not only one genie, but a total of 21! Other pieces focus on ‘Finding Nemo’, ‘Beauty and the Beast’, ‘The Disney Princesses’ , ‘Toy Story’, ‘Pinocchio’, ‘Mulan’, ‘The Incredibles’ and ‘The Lion King’, whilst Mickey and Minnie Mouse, Donald Duck and Goofy link the sequences together.

With each of the two acts running at just over three-quarters of an hour each, the little ones never became restless or bored. It almost came as a surprise to them – and me – when the blue and white themed ‘It’s A Small World’ routine, which celebrates the culture and dress of a whole host of nationalities, heralded the interval.

But, let’s not forget that this is not just Disney – it’s Disney on Ice. So, what about the skating? Well, the choreography is stunning and it is executed with elegance and grace. I was particularly impressed by those who were required to perform as characters that required cumbersome costumes, such as The Beast, Mrs Potts and Lumiere.

This production is slick and stylish, magical and mesmerising and it’s all done as only Disney does best – with a passion for perfection.

Steve Burbridge.

Runs until Sunday 10 October 2010.

 

 

Guess How Much I Love You is the latest work of David Wood, the UK’s leading dramatist and director of children’s theatre, famous for his plays The Tiger Who Came to Tea, Fantastic Mr. Fox, The Gingerbread Man, The Witches, and Babe the Sheep Pig.  It is no simple feat to keep the interest of young children for almost an hour but Guess How Much I Love You manages just that. Filled with songs and games Sam McBratney and Anita Jeram’s classic tales are brought to life in this charming production.

Popular characters Little Nutbrown Hare and Big Nutbrown Hare are introduced by a narrator – Lucy, the new human friend of the pair. The audience is invited to hop along as Lucy and the two hares sing about growing up, picnics near the river, warming up in the cold, and the beautiful colours of the rainbow. We are taken on a magical journey through the four seasons where Lucy and her friends encounter all kinds of animals, a box monster and play hide and seek in the woods. The children remain involved throughout the performance as they help the hares and Lucy chase away the clouds, find all the red, blue and green things on stage, play hide and seek, and pretend to be scary monsters. The set is perfect with a gnarly tree, bushes and a beautiful blue sky (set and costume design by Susie Caulcutt).

This show is great entertainment for a young audience but it also charms the grown ups. Let your youngsters occupy the pit area so they have plenty of room to join in all the games.

For children aged 3 and above.

Saturday 22 May     11 am, 1.30 pm & 3.30 pm

Sunday 23 May        11 am, 1.30 pm & 3.30 pm

See Tickets - 0871 230 1552

The Rose Theatre

24-26 High Street, Kingston

www.rosetheatrekingston.org