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Wee Witches - tour and part
of Bank of Scotland Childrens International Theatre Festival 2002 in Edinburgh
Writer - Virginia Radcliffe with support from Andy Cannon
Performers - Vivien Grahame & Virginia Radcliffe
Directors - Virginia Radcliffe with Andy Cannon
Design/Costume & Illustrations - Catherine Lindow
Musical Director & original songs - Tim Brinkhurst
Live sound effects - Stuart Nairn
Company - Wee Stories
Venue seen - Adam Smith Theatre, Kirkcaldy
Venues & Dates - see end of review
Reviewer - Maureen Sangster
Inventively delight for young audiences.
While the sun blazed outside the Adam Smith studio, Wee Stories created
a windy night and a tale about a variety of witches. If a somewhat obvious
theme, it didn't jeopardise the 100% enjoyment had by the audience of
children.
Wee Stories' reputation for quality children's theatre is in no doubt.
The family next to me, having loved their Christmas family show Molly
Whuppie had come to see the new show Wee Witches.
Wee Witches comes out of Wee Stories Early Years Project that produces
new work specifically for 3-7 year olds.. Wee Witches has got less in
it for adults than Molly Whuppie. But that means all the more in it for
the children!
Catherine Lindow's wonderful set, built by Stuart Nairn, recreating rooftops
and consisting of poles and scene-changing curtains is devised to be up
close to them. Bursting with colour, it also resembles what children themselves
can create through play.. The two energetic actors, Vivien Grahame
and Virginia Radcliffe interact with the children throughout,
receiving their suggestions as to what goes into the witch's soup. The
unfurling episodic nature of the play, very much a series of theatrical
"and thens", both allows for children's input into the plot
and appeals to their sense of improvisation. Language is invented - for
example when the young wee witch meets the unhappy and therefore cruel
King and is told she can call him Bob, she calls him Your Bobness Characters
are larger than life, my favourite one being Vera Bird, the Crow aunt
of the young wee witch, Seea Brightstar.
I saw the play on its first night. The acting I found as marvellous as
ever. Just a tightening of pace I thought, maybe even pruning of the text
was needed to bring the narrative into focus which took time to get going.
A tale then about magic. Exuberantly matching children's own imaginations,
rooted in storytelling, it uncovers elements of plot and plays variations
on them. Its inventiveness will delight its young audiences.
© Maureen Sangster May 2002
Tour details (Wee Witches
will also be performed in schools and nurseries in
Central Scotland during the tour schedule)
4 May at 2 pm Kirkcaldy Adam Smith Theatre 01592 412929
12 May at 3 pm Aberdeen Lemon Tree 01224 642230
14 May at 10.30 am & 1.30 pm Invergordon Arts Centre
01349 868479
15 May at 4 pm Ullapool MacPhail Centre 01854 613336
18 May at 2.30 pm St Andrews The Byre 01334 475 000
27 May at 6 pm Dumfries Lochthorn Library 01387 260447
28 May at 6 pm Castle Douglas Lochside Theatre 01387
260447
29 May at 6 pm Stranraer Library 01387 260447
1 June at 11 am Oban Corran Halls 01631 567 333
2 June at 11 am & 1 pm Edinburgh Traverse 0131 228
1404
& 3 June at 12 pm & 2 pm Edinburgh Traverse 0131
228 1404
8 June at 2pm Kilmarnock Palace Theatre 01563 523590
14 & 15 June at 11 am & 2 pm Cambridge Drama Centre The Junction
01223 511511
22 June at 11 am & 2 pm Musselburgh Brunton Theatre
0131 665 2240
Tour ends
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