THE ENCHAUNTIT GAIRDEN
Edinburgh Fringe
THE ENCHAUNTIT GAIRDEN
by Charles Mackenzie
THEATRE ALBA at Duddingston Kirk Gardens
Wed-Sat 11.30am (note time) Sun 2.30pm
Runs 55min No interval
TICKETS: 0131 556 9579
Review: Timothy Ramsden 7 August
Participatory promenade children's drama that could be more adventurous.
With Edinburgh's most over-cost building-site still not metamorphosed into the Scottish Parliament, it's hardly surprising notions of democracy are pretty thin in the ground out in the village of Duddungston, where Theatre Alba's piece for young children places forceful emphasis on Queen, Princess, handsome Prince - crown and all and where the sole rebel is a nasty piece of business.
Out in the country, it's hardly surprising there's an intrusive piece of eco-positive propaganda. And, while the Tree Demon who occasions it seems opposed to the Church, the nearby Manse could be seen as looming over the comparatively long marriage ceremony that concludes the action.
In outline this has a lot of good ideas the young audience has to overcome Queen Bee's dislike of human visitors to her garden. No sooner done, with a song and a bit of a dance, than the pleasant princess is whisked away and we're off in search. There's a magic sword, but with a three-wish shelf-life. And clues are scattered along the way.
It's all over a bit soon. There's room to give an added twist of complexity both to plot and theme the sudden appearance of a charming Prince makes the resolution a bit too easy. And to build further on audience decision-making.
The participation's fine, but there's rather a lot chucked at young children of various degrees of willingness rather soon, before there's been time to lose self-consciousness in the action and gain trust in the characters.
All the company play their parts well, with Robert Williamson an expressive minstrel, mediating between the adventures and their audience.
Incidentally, different publicity sources quote 11am and 11.30am for week-day shows; the later tine is the one in operation.
Toerag: Robert Williamson
Princess Honeysuckle: Michelle Duncan
Queen Bee: Suzanne Dance
Blek Andra/Tree Demon: Robert Read
Goorie Hector/Prince Ronan: David Cullen
Director: Clunie Mackenzie
Music: John Sampson
2003-08-10 15:44:46