BUMPS IN THE NIGHT. To 10 January.

Bristol

BUMPS IN THE NIGHT
and loads of other silly noises (but no loud bangs)
by Toby Hulse

Bristol Old Vice Studio To 10 January 2004
Tue-Sat 10.30am & 1.30pm 10 January also 6pm no performance 1 January
Runs 1hr 40min One interval

TICKETS: 0117 987 7877
www.bristol-old-vic.co.uk
Review: Timothy Ramsden 27 December

More fun and gentle exploration of childhood experience in the now-familiar bedroom.This is the 4th year Bristol Old Vic's Studio has become young Jake's bedroom. Though a sibling arrived a couple of years ago, he's still alone in there with Clown, Giraffe, Peggy and Rabbit, soft toys ready to come alive within five minutes of lights down.

Toby Hulse's plays, directed by Heather Williams, gently explore aspects of early experience for very young audiences. Within the security of a happy family home, with enough money for toys and sufficient emotional warmth, there can still be terrors. No Loud Bangs' successfully explores panic-inducing moments with neither literal bangs nor undue shocks.

Since adult comfort and commands exist only as voices off, Jake's thrown on his toys to encourage his resources for coping. If it's starting to sound like a psycho-therapy session, don't worry. It's actually well-judged comic fun mounting this year to an hilarious chase.

Clown's jolly, simple repetitions, Giraffe's conscientious reasoning, Peggy's smiling joy and Rabbit's ever-ready guitar, help hammer matters out. This year it's all started by bumps in the night. (Of course, it turns out to be Jake's long-awaited dad and luggage finally arriving home).

Meanwhile, Jake and friends trawl through the boy's dreams. There's Peggy's happy dream, a childlike simplification of running a classy hair-salon, where the strangest thing is Vic Llewellyn's hairless Clown gaining flamboyant wigs. There's the sad dream of Rabbit leaving his friends. Post interval, the room's been moved round, presaging the final scary dream, where people aren't what they seem. Here Chris Bianchi doubles expertly as the right' and wrong' Giraffe, the latter stiffening his stance, deepening the voice and speaking in the name of Ham and Mustard' rather than the familiar cheese and pickle'

There's considerable comic mileage out of attempts to distinguish the two by clothing, always defeated as the same garments are handed to both, until suitably disguised - both Giraffes emerge at once for a chaotic chase before order and happiness are restored.

These plays are always pleasant and at best hilarious. I see no reason why they shouldn't continue till Jake himself becomes a voice-off for the next generation.

Giraffe: Chris Bianchi
Jake: Toby Hulse
Clown: Vic Llewellyn
Rabbit: Kit Morgan
Peggy: Jennifer Tubini

Director: Heather Williams
Designer: Katie Sykes
Lighting: Tim Streader
Sound: Jason Barnes
Music: John O' Hara

2003-12-30 16:40:10