DANNY THE CHAMPION OF THE WORLD. To 17 January.
Bolton.
DANNY THE CHAMPION OF THE WORLD
by Roald Dahl adapted by David Wood.
Octagon Theatre To 17 January 2009.
10.15am 5-9, 12-16 Jan.
2.15pm 22-24, 26-27, 29-31 Dec, 2-35-8, 10, 12-14, 17 Jan.
7.15pm 22-24, 26-27, 29-31 Dec, 2-3, 9-10, 15-17 Jan.
Audio-described 9 Jan
Runs 2hr 10min One interval.
TICKETS: 01204 520661.
www.octagonbolton.co.uk
Review: Timothy Ramsden 20 December.
A riotous delight of a Christmas show.
He was never a subtle character-drawer, but Roald Dahl’s vigorously outlined people stir strong emotions in David Wood’s stage version, with its evil landowner using his power to evict Danny and his garage-proprietor Dad from their home. Cheeks painted a violent red, there’s no doubt Morgan George’s Hazell is the one to hate, with his pompous (and here cross-dressed) pheasant-shooting associates.
Yet it is his land, and Danny’s Dad’s a poacher. One who is willing to kill birds too – some useful techniques are on display. But Dad kills them to eat, not merely for fun.
If there’s any dodgy morality no-one notices, for as usual in Dahl all adults are caricatures – even nice ones like the local doctor whose prescription medicine becomes vital in Danny’s plans to thwart the vile Hazell, and jolly police sergeant Samways, whose motor is commandeered to rescue Danny’s father from Hazell’s fiendish mantrap.
It’s Danny who is more deeply, and sympathetically, drawn. He worries and doubts his own plans, as well as being champion at coming up with schemes; he talks to us and gains our support, Des O’Malley splendidly showing all his character's fears, hopes and initiative.
For, beneath the bustling action and fast-pace, Dahl and Wood keep Danny’s sense of vulnerability focused. From the start, with mother long gone, he tries to come close to Dad, but finds himself excluded from adult secrets.
Eventually his successful plans, and resourcefulness in action, win him complete trust from the adult community. And the community’s importance is another point made in Mark Babych’s production, as people combine against Hazell’s bullying, literally looking down on him after he tears up their pro-Dad petition and stands alone beneath the platform where they’re assembled.
The piece honestly denies Hazell a Scrooge-like conversation, and notes he’ll be back in the future. But Babych’s high-octane production clearly shows the positive people victorious, while delighting spectators with chases and invasions of rampant roosters, having actors create a crying baby and (pulled around on lifting-trucks) various vehicles visiting the rusted garage suggested by Helen Goddard’s spacious set.
Gamekeeper/Charlie Kinch/Mr Jackson: Thomas Aldersley.
Mrs Clipstone/Council Inspector: Elianna Byrne.
Dad: Stephen Chapman.
Mr Hazell: Morgan George.
Dr Spencer/Head Teacher: Helen Kay.
Rabbetts/Sergeant Samways: Martin Miller.
Danny: Des O’Malley.
Director: Mark Babych.
Designer: Helen Goddard.
Lighting: Tom Dexter Scott.
Sound: Andy Smith.
Composer: Howard Gray.
2008-12-22 09:20:15