LIGHTEN UP. To 9 March.

London.

LIGHTEN UP

Unicorn Theatre (Weston Theatre) To 9 March 2008.
10.15am 29 Feb, 5, 7 March.
11am 1, 8 March.
1.15pm 28 Feb, 4-6 March.
2.30pm 1-2, 8-9 March.
Runs: 1hr No interval.

TICKETS: 020 7645 0527.
www.unicorntheatre.com
Review: Timothy Ramsden 24 February.

A show where no-one can fail to see the point.
At first, we’re kept in the dark about what’s happening on the Unicorn’s blacked-out stage, where mere pinpoints of light appear mid-air. But it’s soon clear what’s going on in Theatre-Rites’ new piece for 5+, as one point moves away from the others, which turn to look for it, before it reappears on their other side.

Next a strip of light appears, elongating into a snake, coiling into multiple shapes, eventually joined by a tangled strip which suddenly transforms into a dog. It makes a further companion, sitting or leaping happily about.

This all makes a superb opening, but it’s not the whole show. For overhead lights fizz on, revealing the magical display in prosaic factual form: five performers encased in black holding a long, illuminated strip.

They proceed to play out the idea of the group and the individual. One goes missing, which leads her to a colourfully expressive adventure, but causes them concern. Elsewhere, a roving spotlight becomes an unwelcome intruder into the performer-characters’ lives, as they seek to avoid it – much audience excitement as the cast try to hide among them.

Loyalty’s tested as a performer beseeches the indigent spot to pick on someone else. It’s a point comically made but resonates with types of betrayal at any age.

Little of this reaches the imaginative delight of the opening, though MeiMei’s ‘lost’ adventure amid coloured streams stands out.

Theatre-Rites’ work uses spaces imaginatively - the audience seated in the Unicorn’s larger auditorium is quite a conventional (or looked-at another way, innovatory) set-up for the company. As always, they produce theatrical surprises that engage young audiences.

Here, there’s gentle engagement with the idea of friendship and loyalty that never relies on its theme to carry the work, but expresses ideas through well-paced theatricality.

Never less than interesting, often absorbing, mixing striking images with lively comedy, Lighten Up is aptly summarised by its ending. After the obligatory (but who could deny it here?) mirrorball, each performer has their own, individually-coloured spotlight. Then, being a group, they flit through each one in turn - tripping the light fantastic.

Puppeteer/Performers: Michael Fowkes, Karina Garnett, Mohsen Nouri, Frank Wurzinger, MeiMei (WU Yanmei).

Director: Sue Buckmaster.
Designer: Cathy Wren.
Lighting: Aideen Malone.
Sound: Sally Rodgers, Steve Jones.
Choreographer: Arthur Pita.
Puppets: Michael Fowkes.
Dramaturg: Philippe Charbonnier.
Assistant director: Adjjjima Na Patalung.

2008-02-28 13:24:38