THE SONG FROM THE SEA by Mike Kenny. Visible Fictions tour to 7 November.

Tour

THE SONG FROM THE SEA
by Mike Kenny

Visible Fictions Theatre Company Tour to 7 November 2001
Runs 40min No interval

Age range 4-8
Review Timothy Ramsden 1 October

An imaginative modern classic of young people's work in a sympathetic new Scottish production. Seen from knee-level, domestic life is a female dominated comedy of disappointment for Josh. Big sister won't take him to her school, mother (on a career break?) is forever cleaning, Gran just clasps her handbag and watches TV.

And climbing stairs, the link between day and night, is a major task, represented here by a staircase with huge lower treads diminishing as they rise to a tiny distant bed. It's there Josh hears the dolphin singing. So, gran in hand, he voyages through the city's sounds to the ocean, where he's told the dolphin's tale.

Kenny smoothly switches from everyday life to the world of myth - a Wordsworthian tale of how young dolphins swimming ever further from home split into land and sea creatures. The landed dolphins became humans, who only rarely, when still young, hear their former species' song.

Visible Fictions live up to their name, catching the play's mix of daily life and imaginative logic as blue sea cloths rise between the domestic stairs, while the puppet Josh flies, dives and floats alongside a sea of bright marine creatures. The friendly dolphin is countered by a brief glimpse of shark fin and a pearl-bearing oyster clamping briefly shut on Josh's arm.

A tapestry of live and pre-recorded sounds and music carry the story. Human acting is muted, justifiably for Josh's family are background to his lively mind. All are played by one actor, lightly varying voice and props (Mum's vacuum, Gran's bag), speaking Kenny's spare dialogue.

It's a play that's entering the young people's repertory. No wonder, for Visible Fictions demonstrates its colour, humour and gentle narrative imagination, the 'what if' of a story which resonates in young minds – and some not so young. Though maybe there it's more 'If only…'.

Public shows at: East Kilbride Arts Centre 6 October 3pm, Invergordon Arts Centre 11 October 11am & 3pm, Adam Smith Theatre, Kirkcaldy 13 October 2pm, Brewery Arts Centre Kendal 14 October 2pm & 3.30pm, Corran Halls, Oban 20 October 11am, Mercury Theatre, Colchester 25 October 11am & 2pm, Linenhall Arts Centre, Mayo 28-29 October 3pm, Belltable, Limerick 30 October 2.30pm.

2001-10-04 10:53:10