THE MAGIC PAINTBRUSH. To 14 January.

Leeds

THE MAGIC PAINTBRUSH
by Alex Chisholm

West Yorkshire Playhouse (Barber Studio) To 14 January 2006
Tue-Sat, plus 9 Jan 10.30am & 1pm except 3 Jan 1pm only, 13 Jan 1pm & 6.30pm
Runs 1hr No interval

TICKETS: 0113 213 7700
www.wyp.org.uk
Review: Timothy Ramsden 22 December

Imaginative theatre enclosing traditional wisdom in a gently-told story.
Director Gail McIntyre’s excellent work at the West Yorkshire Playhouse is best known in schools, for which she has produced a range of fine plays. These Christmas Barber Studio performances are the main public exposure of her work and, as annual performances for the very young (3+ in this case), are rapidly becoming treasures in the winter repertoire. The Magic Paintbrush is the least familiar story, but best of the 3 shows yet, quick-moving, audience-friendly and conveying wisdom rather than sternly moralising.

Alex Chisholm’s adapted a Chinese traditional story about Liang, a village artist friendly with a rat and a pig. His kindness to a fish-magician leaves him with the title implement. Now he can indulge his artistic impulse, and everything he paints comes to life. His sole commitment is to create only for poor people. So he becomes known as provider of bread and clothing for fellow-villagers.

But the rich hear and demand their share. Liang refuses to paint them piles of gold, so is put in prison and has to paint his way out. As his wit develops, he sends the Emperor on a voyage to a distant pile of gold, painting up a storm to see the great man off.

Eventually, Liang is given a normal paintbrush and spends his life happily painting in his home village. The curse of power, the demands of the powerful that all should be at their service, emerge naturally in a story focusing on Liang’s dilemmas. Adam Sunderland shows the painter’s simple goodness in his open manner with animal companions and neighbours, besides Liang’s verve and moral centre in his swift painting strokes and resoluteness against powerful people’s demands.

Staged in-the-round, the production uses acting skills to create vivid images: four poles beaten on the ground by the other actors walking round Liang create the oppressive feel of a prison-cell, there’s the sense of a city crowd in the actors’ movement. This is a colourful, ever-active play that engages interest and holds attention with its imaginative power and a trio of well-judged performances connecting in a friendly way with young audiences.

Liang: Adam Sunderland
Houtsa: Sarah Stanley
Zhu Zhu: Matt Sutton

Director: Gail McIntyre
Designer: Emma Williams
Lighting: David Bennion-Pedley
Composer/Musical director: Richard Taylor

2005-12-28 10:38:06