EDINBURGH: SHONA REPPE: Cinderella 'til 17 August

CINDERELLA
Devised and performed by Shona Reppe

Netherbow Theatre to August 17th
16.30

55 mins. No interval.

TICKETS 0131 556 9579.

Review Danny Braverman 12 August

A beautiful, gently funny and immaculately executed version of the classic story.

The publicity says age 7 upwards, but this delightful take on an age-old tale will enthral a 3 year-old and should enchant the grown-ups too.

Shona Reppe - who takes on every role in the story - is a marvel. From the moment she welcomes her audience with a gentle dusting with her feather duster, she establishes a charming and mischievous relationship with us all. She has a great gift for making the smallest audience member feel warm, whilst dropping just enough ironic asides to keep the grown-ups onside.

Ms Reppe's technique is immaculate. The puppetry is beautifully detailed and imaginatively conceived and the quirky soundtrack and eccentric vocalisations make for a magical show.

Here is a performer who understands instinctively how to build a relationship with her audience. Children's theatre is too often disparaged, viewed wrongly as the poor cousin of grown-up theatre. Shona Reppe could show a few of the late night comedians at the Edinburgh Festival how to create a spirit of genuine playfulness with an audience.

Amongst the good, the bad and the ugly of the Festival, Cinderella is a little hidden masterpiece, created by an artist who deserves recognition. Shona Reppe should go to the ball!

Devised, performed and directed by Shona Reppe.

2002-08-15 11:18:12