PUNCHKIN ENCHANTER. To 6 August.

London

PUNCHKIN ENCHANTER
by Farhana Sheikh

Bubble Theatre Tour of London Parks to 6 August 2003
7.30pm
BSL Signed 24 July
Runs 2hr 20min (+ rain-checks as required) One interval
TICKETS: 020 7237 1663
Review: Timothy Ramsden 19 July at Gunnersbury Park

Epic tale and visual delight in a London park.This story comes from South Asia, and has nothing to do with either Mr Punch or Munchkins. Writer Farhana Sheikh's muddied its waters by comparison with the version first brought to Victorian England. The result is uneven storytelling, but a fine vehicle for a theatrical exploitation of London's woodland at twilight. A community cast with professional actors in several central roles creates spectacle and diversity and sheer joy of playing from start to finish.

Open-air promenade shows, where audiences are inducted into rules of engagement who to follow, where to sit etc. create an unusual concentration on the opening scene, when temporary stage, musicians and actors finally come together

Yet the first scene here, which carries a lot of information wicked stepmother alienates dad from his daughters, who flee to escape step-mum's revenge is a prologue to the action's main focus. It's the sisters' journey that takes us round the park, especially the fortunes of middle daughter Billo. Marriage, apparent bereavement, a son's revenge and the final overthrow of the wizard Punchkin all ensue.

Sheikh has sought to new-angle the evil Punchkin into a force offering change, just as she's made Billo no simple Cinderella but someone with a restless mind. Tanya Hossick doesn't overplay the turbulence, but she seems to be grasping at slender material in the character when looking at Billo's capacity to renew herself. Sheikh's idea of Punchkin offering the choice for change reaches the script, but is asserted rather than shown.

There are plenty of visual delights though, some grabbing attention as momentary the escaping daughters separated and sheltering with luggage under trees as we pass, live 'video loops' repeated to audience groups walking by, outlining with actors, puppets and models Ditta's adventures as he seeks out his Punchkin-captured mother. Longer scenes show, for example, the ordered formality in the sisters' brief married happiness, climaxing with the final dismantling of the giant Punchkin puppet.

There are more organic dramas, but no better way to enjoy London's evening parkland and see a show without becoming a stalls potato.

Roana: Linda Dobell
Maina: Ekua Ekumah
Billo: Tanya Hossick
Punchkin: Nicholas Khan
Mocuddum: Clive Llewellyn
Ditta: Chris Nayak

Abigail Thomson, Ajay Srivastava, Alec Jogodzinski, Alex Curran, alice Crowley, Alma Simpson, Amani Simpson, Andrew Stern, Anita Verma, Anjali Abraham, Basil, Ben Edwards, Ben Bibbings, Bridie Barnes, Cathy Whitehead, Celia Andrews, Charlene Skyers, Charles Brook, Chloe Slater, Chris Goulding, Christina Greaves, Connie Mezzina, Connor Meighan, Daniel Charles, Daniel Kenway, Daniel Mezzina, Daniella Hall, Deborah Seymour, Donnette Richards, Eileen Morgan, Elisa Molisso, Eric Meighan, Esther Cole, Eva Adams, Felicity Hedges, , Fiona Emberson, Frank Bohm, Gaye Carden, Gemma Chan, George Walden, Georgina Winston, Hannah Abiola, Hazel Bromilow, Helen Litchfield, Henry MacNaughton, Hugh Wyeth, Ian MacNaughton, Jack Thomson, Jane Deakin, Jane Dent, Jane Harvey, Jason Stein, Jay Bohm, Jennifer Foley, Jessica Taylor, Joanna Barnes, John MacNaughton, John Harrington, Kamal Simpson, Katherine Watt, Katie Boulton, Katy Grace, Kay Geen, Kerry Ryan, Kharis Bourne, Kirsty McBean, Laura Stewart, Lauren Walden, Lauren McKenzie, Lavern Skyers, Lawrence Evans, Leora Ucko, Lionel Openshaw, Lisa Moore, Loredana Campisi-Green, Louise MacNaughton, Lucy Ben, Lucy Sycamore, Luke Nicholls, Maddy Adams, Marcia Campbell, Maria Thomas, Mariam Akintokun, Marian Banrura, M'Balu Fofanah, Millie Bowes, Milo Taylor, Miranda Gardner, Mohammad Khurram Salim, Natalie Bailey, Natasha Hayman, Nimal Jude, Nwando Ebizie, Patrick Slater, Paula Gordon, Pinar Suleyman, Rachel Robinson, Raymond Bohm, Rebecca Craig, Rebecca Parkinson, Robin Lawrence, Roisin Cruise, Rowena Russell, Sabera Mangera, Sam Petherbridge, Saul Eisenberg, Sebastian Simpson, Sebastian Iadino, Shaziye Mehmet-Ali, Shyamalie Abraham, Simone Connors, Sophia Spantios, Sorrel Holliday, Stephon Billie, Sunny Barnfather, Taiwo Awotorebo, Tara Millan Brophy, Victoria Andre, Victoria Josiah, viveca Cameronm, Wayne Seaton, Wilfred Petherbridge, William Wyeth, Yvonne Yeboah, Yvonne Otto, Zach Hussain, Isis Anena, Andrew Bryant, Candice Freeman, Joan Godfrey, Umou Kouroma, Abi Omotoso, Connor Meighan, Serina Apaloo-Gordon, Wayne Nelson, Ahmed Hussian, Deborah Henry-Pollard, Suraya Hussain, Yvonne Adebola, Billy Bennett, Sybil Reid, Zara Watfa

Director: Jonathan Petherbridge
Designers: Michael Breakey, Rebecca Child, Chris Dinner, Rebecca Hurst, Madelon Schwirtz
Music: Charlie Winston
Movement: Linda Dobell, Lawrence Evans
Choreographer: Chix Chandareia
Assistant Choreographer: Simone Connors

2003-07-21 12:36:50