King
Matt - touring
Writer - Stephen Greenhorn from the original story King
Matt The First by Janusz Korczak
Director - James Brining
Designer - Evelyn Barbour
Composer - David Young
Company - TAG
Venue -
macRobert, Stirling University Campus Stirling 01786 461081
9 & !0 May at 10am & 1:30pm macRobert Stirling 01786
461081
11 May at 7pm macRobert Stirling 01786 461081 then touring Scotland until
23 June.
Reviewer - Thelma Good
If your children are asking what's an election Mum? Why do you vote
Dad? TAG have an engaging show to give you all much to discuss including
why can't children vote in 2001 Scotland. In TAG's King Matt
they can, and nearly abolished girls. The production, like its set,
surprises and delights with clever scenes changes and twists in the
story..
Eleven year old Matt's world changes when his father dies. Everyone's
world changes when a father dies, but his Dad was a king. To the dismay
of his ministers his father's death makes Matt a King. Lonely he goes
out into his royal park and finds Felek. This fearless young boy helps
King Matt see his kingdom through different eyes. Patrick Moy
as Matt and Veronica Leer as Felek are the warm heart of this
story where children try to rule and adults try, as always, to control
them. Like parents his ministers say you can't afford that, you don't
understand or you're too young.
The well cast company also has Ralph Bolland, Jill Riddoch, Callum Cutherbertson, with Leer as serious minsters and kings as well as the rough soldiers sent to war and at one point children MPs. Each uses well their distinctive voices and shows their characters' underlying spirit. Moy - the boyking's sad responsibility, Leer - Felek's wonderful energy and sense of mischief, Bolland - an earnest soldier and minister, Riddoch - a caring, wise king and Cuthbertson - the what not my fault Journalist. There's live musical accompaniment, humour and bite in this play. As incoming shells sound more terrifying than any recorded sound effect and we see the shallow spin doctors at work rather than suffer their consequences.
Stephen Greenhorn and James Brining's dramatising of Korczak's book makes
democracy fun and interesting to think about, showing how dangerous
it is when it doesn't work. Take yourself, your children and any politican
who looks like he's forgotten why democracy is important! With live
issues for today, do children have rights? should they be paid for studying
? King Matt is part of TAG's Making The Nation project designed to help
children actively engage with democracy and also provides a good theatre
experience too.
© Thelma Good 9 May 2001
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