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| Edinburgh : A&E : Festivals : Fringe reviews |
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 Childrens |
Private Peaceful. (Page 13) Fizzy Pops None Venue Assembly Rooms (Venue 3) Address 54 George Street. Reviewer Kim Oliver This adaptation of Michael Morpurgo's prizewinning children's book about the life of a young soldier shot by the firing squad for cowardice during World War One is an outstanding piece of writing and acting. Simon Reade's adaptation features Paul Chequer as 'Tommo' an utterly convincing young Devonshire farm lad, from his first day at school, through to his time in the trenches and on to his premature death. Thematically rich yet never cluttered, the plot peels back a thin veneer of 'decency' to reveal the more enduring heroism and power inherent in the bonds of brotherly love. It also unpicks the percieved differences between those of another class or nationality. Ironically it is a German soldier who spares Tommo's life and ultimately it is the British Army who take it, with slavish adherence to suicidal rules and the desire to 'make an example' of the vulnerable. Morpurgo took his inspiration from his deep anger at discovering the untold history of the 300 British and Commonwealth soldiers who were executed by the British army for desertion and cowardice between 1914 and 1918, many of whom were suffering from shell shock or simply found sleeping at their posts. His research was gleaned from the minutes of court marshalls and letters from the front, imbuing this work with an unsentimental sense of reality which nevertheless hits home with a resounding familiarity. The enduring message here is one of the pity of war, and it has never been more salient. Many of the young people in the audience will have their sanitised versions of war erased by the raw beauty of Chequer's performance. The script exposes the futility of war by tapping into the uncensored regions of the imagination. That, sadly is something which no amount of 24 hour rolling footage of 'shock and awe' can do. A superb play which is no less superb for being aimed at children. ©Kim Oliver August 2003 - Published on EdinburghGuide.com Runs to August 29 at 10.45 am (1 hr 30 mins) every day, not Aug 16, 23 Company Bristol Old Vic Company Website www.bristol-old-vic.co.uk
Poems for Children (and Other Grown Ups). (Not in Fringe Programme). Drams  .
Venue Gilded Balloon. (Venue No 14) Address 13 Bristo Square. Reviewer Georgina Merry. This charming and undisputedly funny show deserves a larger audience. I strongly reccomend that if John Dowie returns to Edinburgh with this show again you borrow a child (if you do not already have one) and get along to see him. Slightly reminiscent of Spike Milligan, Dowie performs his hilarious and often poignant poems with vigour and a sort of comic suave that you will be enthralled by. As he half-dances around the small space he speaks directly to the audience and offers a very personal and interactive show. Not only were we entertained, but the audience were given some sound advice as well as some interesting perspectives that age can often cloud over. I am sure that many young girls could benefit from being warned of how toads that appear to turn into princes can often still be toads underneath. If you don’t get the chance to hear his poems for children, then you might consider his show and the book Dogman which has been published by BBC World Wide. I know that I will be getting a hold of copy and will be reading it to my little sister and my friends’ children at the slightest opportunity. It really is that good, and the children will love it. ©Georgina August 2004 - Published on EdinburghGuide.com Note from Theatre Editor - A dramatisation of Dogman also reviewed by EdinburghGuide appeared at the 2004 Fringe too. Runs to August 29 at 13:00. Company John Dowie.
Red Riding Hood and the Wolves (Page 13). Drams None, even for courage. Venue C (Venue 34). Address Chambers St. Reviewer Neil Ingram. I've always found Little Red Riding Hood rather a two-dimensional story - Little Red is good her granny is pretty good, and the wolves are very bad. This memorable new version by Karina Wilson of the very familiar tale by Charles Perrault is much more complex, and a lot more rewarding. For a start, there are lots of wolves, though people in the village are reluctant to talk about them, and if pressed say that there are things worse than wolves in the woods. Nevertheless, children do go off to explore, and sometimes they don't come back. One who does go off to exlore is Baryluk, Jane Jefferson, and when he doesn't return, Pashnik, Ranie Daw, aka Red Riding Hood, is keen to go and find him, despite warnings from Yaroslav, Frances Buckroyd. So she uses the pretext of going to visit her granny, Judith Quin, who lives permanently in the woods, and therefore doesn't see her family very often. Pashnik's woodland adventures are quite scary at times, with several surprises along the way, particularly when she meets the wolf Skorepa, Clare Hannan. And there is a happy ending, but it's not quite what I expected. This excellent company of only 5 actors, directed with verve by Chris Sudworth, play a great range of parts, so it seems there are many more of them - this is the best childrens' show I've seen in ages. It's really for over 5s, and it's definitely for adults as well. © Neil Ingram 21 August 2004 - Published on EdinburghGuide.com Runs to August 30 at 11.00. Company – C theatre.
The Owl And The Pussycat. (Page 13). Drams .
Venue C (Venue 34). Address Chambers St. Reviewer Thelma Good. Edward Lear's nonsense poem about the owl and the pussycat never explains how they both ended up in the same boat. Tall Stories has these unlikely shipmates discovering each other when they are already afloat, with the tellers of the tale are The Pig who supplied the ring and The Turkey. Morag Cross is Pussycat and Pig while Nathan Guy is Owl and Turkey. They sing, they dance, and they do manage bring off this tale of unlikely travelling and marriage partners. Tall Stories are acclaimed for their telling of stories but here their touch is less deft and doesn't surprise and innovate as much as The Gruffalo or Something Else. Some more involving the audience moments wouldn't go amiss either. Too tame even for toddlers? No, I wouldn't go that far, but perhaps creating a spit new story could bring back more zest to the company - after all if it's a hit it could become a loved Picture book too and complete the circle of creation from page to stage and back. This adaptation is a pleasant enough offering, thanks to the cast, but it's too nice for its own good. © Thelma Good 30 August 2004 - Published on EdinburghGuide.com Runs to 30 August and then tours. Company Tall Stories. Company Website www.tallstories.org.uk
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