| |
Theatre listings >
Theatre Index >>
The Flying Babies
- Tour
Part of the 2003 Bank Of Scotland Children's International Theatre Festival.
Director - Jakub Krofta
Story - Jakub Krofta, Marek Zákostelecký
Music - Vrát’a Šrámek
Design - Marek Zákostelecký
Sound and Light - Milan Steklik
Backstage Assistant - Roman Penicka
Cast - Redy Vávra, Zuzana Vojtišková, Milan
Žd’árský
Company - DRAK Theatre in assoc with Jane Frere Associates.
Seen to review on Monday 2 June at Royal Lyceum Theatre Edinburgh.
Touring info - Here
Run Time - 50mins.
Suggested Age - 3+ years.
Reviewer - Kim Bradie.
Intelligent, flawless & highly amusing.
Oversized clothes pegs sit on a row of huge white cloths, presumably nappies,
hanging on a washing line that stretched across the stage. "Where
are the babies?" my son asks as we sit staring at this rather striking
set awaiting the start of the show.
Before I have time to speak his question is answered as the nappies are
pulled aside revealing a huge white old fashioned pram sitting centre
stage in front of more rows of freshly laundered nappies. Six little hands
appear one by one and begin to playfully bat a red balloon until someone
lets it go. As the babies attempt to somehow retrieve their plaything
we are drawn into their world - ingenious ideas and imaginative tactics
emerge as they struggle and repeatedly fail to use parts of their pram
to create wings or propel themselves upwards.
The performers wear white, from their huge baby bonnets to their puffed
up baby grows. Using the universal theatrical language of slapstick humour,
their physical style is hilarious, but at the same time touching and poignant.
The babies are characterised beautifully, wide eyed, open mouthed
facial expressions combine with un-coordinated limbs and lolling heads
to capture the essence of a six month old.
The lack of colour on stage has no ill effect on the piece - in fact the
opposite. Children are
bombarded with bright colour in everyday life - toys, nursery, playgrounds,
television and it's inspiring to watch such a young audience completely
absorbed without being over stimulated. Gentle glockenspiel and keyboards
accompany the babies 'noises' as they endeavour to communicate with each
other - again this simplicity allows us to focus fully on the shapes and
movement and get down to the important business of having a really good
laugh.
This really is a show for everyone, from young children to their grandparents.
One of the most intelligent and flawless pieces of children's theatre
I have ever seen - with the added bonus of being highly amusing for all!
© Kim Bradie 1 June 2003. - Published on EdinburghGuide.com
More
info and reviews on the annual Bank of Scotland Children's International
Theatre Festival.
Flying Babies 2003 Touring dates -
5 & 6 June at 10am Aberdeen Kaleidscope Festival
01569 766385.
9 - 11 June at Shetland Lerwick Clickimin Ctre, 01595
692114.
13 June at 10:30am 1:30pm & 6pm Elgin Town Hall 01343
563403.
14 June at 2:30pm Inverness Eden Court Theatre 01463
- 234234.
17 June at 10:30pm & 1:30pm Glasgow Tron Theatre 0141
552 4267.
Review
of Flying Babies when seen as part of The Puppet Animation Festival 2002
Theatre Editor, Thelma
Good's e-mail is thelma@edinburghguide.com
Although every effort has been taken to ensure the accuracy of the
information presented in these pages, no responsibility can be accepted
for any errors or omissions.
Theatre
listings >
Theatre
Index >>
|
|
