KESBY CAN! To 26 March.

Young People

KESBY CAN!
by Gill Brigg

Roundabout Theatre Company Tour to 26 March 2004 School performances only
Runs 50min No interval
Review: Timothy Ramsden 12 March at Hollywell Primary School, Kimberley

Theatre as means more than end a useful contribution to health education.In Suffolk primary schools, Kesby's well-known to year 2 pupils - a sort of local, chummy Paddington, used to help young people express feelings at one remove. Judging by the lively, alert responses, he translates well to the East Midlands, where Nottingham Playhouse's touring arm, Roundabout, have revived Gill Brigg's health education piece.

The great smiling bear stands behind the classroom acting-area and is several times called into use as we proceed through just another week in the life of young Charlie, aged six and a half. Several audience interventions are called for Kesby's apron's opened up for class members to stick on emblematic foodstuffs, creating a display divided into Tasty' (naughty but nice) and Tasty and Healthy' (essential lunchbox stuff).

There are visits to doctor and dentist, explanations of instruments they use. Charlie gets to play at doctors with Kesby, who's also called into play when it comes to an eye-test, with a letter-chart reading out a message. And so on, day-by-day.

It's all lively and well-acted fun Lesley Mudd's sensible adult off-setting Richard Mainwaring's lively Charlie - with songs and some laughs. Charlie immediately wins sympathy in his major tussle with shoelaces an early manifestation of life's conundrums. And a wired flying Bee is greatly enjoyable the point being to teach stillness when a buzzer alights on one as its local helipad.

Hollywell Primary's Year 2s appeared well-versed in matters medical and edible, the questions seeming to confirm rather than challenge knowledge. The contents of a First-Aid box held few surprises (evidence of childhood's inevitable scrapes and bumps?). For young people less aware, or given to terror of medical implements and dento-phobia, there's helpful information and reassurance here.

Even here, with a team approach encouraged in some participatory moments it may be that among the enthusiastic responses there are quieter folk who are learning something new, or having uncertainty fixed.

The script tells a lot more than it shows - these are questions to which there are definite answers. Some dialogue could beneficially have its formal sentence constructions pared down. Still, Kesby can stand as an entertaining run-down of valuable health-care matters.

Charlie: Richard Mainwaring
Charlie's Mum etc: Lesley Mudd

Director: Gill Brigg
Designer: Laura McEwen
Composer: Michelle Hughes

2004-04-01 12:34:32