SELFISH GIANT: Wilde, adapt Wood, Leicester Haymarket till 12 January

Leicester

THE SELFISH GIANT: Oscar Wilde, Adapted by Annie Wood
Haymarket Theatre Studio: Tkts, 0116 253 9797

Runs: 1h 10m, no interval, till 12 January 2002
Review: Rod Dungate, 15 December 2001

An emotional journey for the children, a lovely adaptation of Wilde's story and a Giant puppet beautifully operated by Ross MullanYoung children are taken on a truly emotional journey in this lovely adaptation by Annie Wood of Oscar Wilde's well-known story. The SELFISH GIANT is the story of a giant whose garden is threatened with perpetual winter after he throws out all the children who like to play in it – he wants it all for himself.

Wilde's writing for children is an undervalued section of his work, yet he had an affinity for children and an understanding of them. He would often crawl around on the floor playing a lion for the amusement of his own two sons. His children's writing is, in many ways, his most honest, his most unaffected and his most revealing.

Wood takes many liberties with the original (as she should in fashioning a piece of drama) but crucially she retains the original's tone in the writing for and portrayal of the Giant himself.

In this production the Giant is beautifully realised in the more-than-life-size puppet created by Chris Coles and Shona Reppe, and operated with great skill by Ross Mullan. Mullan's performance (and particularly his vocal performance) is serious, honest and extremely subtle. This giant is no rough ogre – in fact he sounds rather a nice gent – it's just that he's never learned the joy of sharing. The Giant is scary enough to make the story work, but not so frightening that it's disturbing for the young audience.

Diametrically opposed to the giant and striking just the right balance is pint-size bundle of energy Veronica Leer's Spring. She leads the young people on their journey captivating them with her sheer vitality and infectious good humour.

The Haymarket has turned its studio into the Giant's garden: within its intimate space Imogen Cloet's designs enable it to transform magically from winter to spring to winter and back again.

Cast:
Summer/ Snow/ Daffy: Chris Jackson
Spring/ Hail/ Mole: Veronica Leer
The Giant: Ross Mullan
Autumn/ Frost/ Little Boy/ Dandy: Suzanne Robertson

Director: Annie Wood
Design: Imogen Cloet
Lighting: Malcolm Rippeth
Music: Jim Kitson
Giant Puppet: Chris Coles
Boy Puppet and Giant's Face: Shona Reppe

2001-12-14 21:10:52