THE STORY OF THE LITTLE GENTLEMAN. To 14 June.

Young People

THE STORY OF THE LITTLE GENTLEMAN
by Lars-Erik Brossner and Tomas von Bromssen based on the book by Barbro Lindgren
Music created by Leo McCann, Dave Trouton, Wendy Weatherby

Catherine Wheels Theatre Company on tour to 14 June 2003
Runs 55min No interval
Review: Timothy Ramsden 10 May at Brunton Theatre Musselburgh

Spare, attractive play that will resonate with its 4+ audiences.I doubt there are more than a dozen lines of dialogue in this play – at most. Rightly, it puts the emphasis on action – and the actors. Jay Manley's little gentleman would be, in adult terms, a sub-Bertie Wooster tweedy twit. In this piece, he's endearingly sad.

His advertising for a friend brings along Maria Oller's Dog, performed with a convenient mix of human and canine moves. It's a win-win performance, engaging children's love of animals and an underlying sense of human companionship.

Karen Tennent provides a simple set with a number of platform levels, and the fun of versatility: a bed suddenly slides out, a toothbrush hangs on a convenient bedside holder. There's plenty of scope for comic action, including inevitable chases.

But this isn't a cartoon employing humans. Manley shows the Gentleman's feelings – fun, fury, loss – through simple facial expressions, guiding emotional responses in line with the action.

Simple as it is, the story follows classical structures, from problem (loneliness) through initial solution, loss that seems conclusive, then reunion. Neither the story nor the performances in Gill Robertson's well-judged production, are exploitative. The young audience members in Musselburgh seemed to be drawn in and involved, rather than mugged and kidnapped by the piece.

Music plays a major part, expressing internal states – the gentleman's idea of an advert is sparked off by a musical phrase - and throughout the score underlies feelings and actions succinctly.

It's fun and it's moving; a piece of theatre that responds to young children's feelings and guides towards emotional maturity.

The Little Gentleman: Jay Manley
Dog: Maria Oller
Accordion/Whistles: Leo McCann
‘Cello: Wendy Weatherby

Director: Gill Robertson
Designer: Karen Tennent
Lighting: Tracey Smith
Musical Director: Dave Trouton
Costume: Susanna Hanl

2003-05-18 12:47:39