ONCE UPON A DRAGON. To 28 May.
Edinburgh
ONCE UPON A DRAGON.
by Pauline Mol from an idea by Moniek Merkx. Translated by Rina Vergano.
Cammo Estate for THE BANK OF SCOTLAND CHILDREN’S INTERNATIONAL THEATRE FESTIVAL 2007 To 28 May 2007
Runs 1hr 30min No interval.
TICKETS: 0131 228 1404.
Review: Thelma Good 22 May 2007.
Magic world of the imagination.
In a setting full of extraordinary trees, with the evening birdsong seeming to come in on cue, Grid Iron’s Once Upon A Dragon takes us on a journey with four actors who raise, sustain and are always in command of, the energies of an audience who love being seduced by the production.
Pauline Mol’s script, translated by Rina Vergano, draws both adults and children in as we follow into the woods and witness Grimm Brothers’ tales both well (Hansel and Gretel, The Red Shoes) and lesser known: Dummling and his search for the Water of Life and The Star Maiden. All are brought to life by four people, who seem to be caught in this enchanted landscape where apples grow on unexpected trees and there is increasing evidence of dragons.
They have many tales to tell. The brothers Grimm live up to their names - these tales have dark edges but also comic moments: when the Little Tailor sets two Giants fighting we’re treated to fabulous slo-mo action with super Scots dialogue. The settings and costumes by Becky Minto and Joan Hickson, lit by Paul Claydon, have you drinking-in the intoxicating fairy tale world framed with real trees that look as though they too are bewitched.
In a tree hollow appears the musician, whose accordion adds to composer Philip Pinsky’s atmospheric music and sound effects as he joins us on the path. The cast sing songs too and join in with drum and triangle and cymbals, so our eager procession becomes like a troupe, a unity of actors, setting and audience. All along the way there are things to spot - fairy tale things, red arrows pointing the way fashioned from feathers and the smoky breath of dragons just out of sight.
The happy band that walked out of the wood, children and adults all smiling, laughing and marvelling at how we now knew that dragons are just an imagination away. Extremely skilled at letting audiences step into the world of a site-specific performance this is Grid Iron’s first piece for children. May the magic theatre fairy wave her wand so there will be more.
Hansel/Little Tailor/Stepmother/Bird-Brother/Frog Prince/Prince/Horse/Knight: Gergo Danka
Little Red Riding Hood/Gretel/ Bird-Brother/Witch/Older Brother/Wolf/Ugly Sister/Sleeping Beauty/Princess/Knight: Nicola Harrison
Star Maiden/Middle Brother/Giant/Witch/Ugly Sister/Wicked Queen/Princess/Knight: Itxaso Moreno
Dummling/Bird-Brother/Giant/Witch/Prince/Horse/Knight: Antony Strachan.
Musician: Pete Garnett.
Director: Ben Harrison
Designer: Becky Minto
Lighting: Paul Claydon
Sound/Composer: Philip Pinsky
Costume: Joan Hickson
2007-05-28 23:53:54