THROUGH THE WOODS. Returns 2006
Birmingham/Tour
THROUGH THE WOODS
by Sarah Woods
Teatro Kismet at The Door To 2 October 2004
Runs 1hr No interval
Review: Timothy Ramsden 30 September
Theatre magic from Italy, Britain and France.After a couple of dire, misbegotten pieces supposedly for young people on main stages, it's a relief to find someone can still do the job properly. YetThrough the Woods is an international production which makes no concessions to its 7-11 audiences. There's no populist condescension. Instead there's a magical intensity that induces concentration in such a fully-realised world where childlike wonder and curiosity are imaginatively invoked.
The piece also demands willingness to follow a mix of English, French and Italian, for it's designed to be performed in all three countries. Eventually key terms become apparent in English but the force of verbal sounds have already made an impression.
The Italian element's unsurprising as Bari-based Teatro Kismet have provided director Rosanna Farinati, here showing the company's as resourceful indoors as well as in their open-air work. And France provides designer Marc Laine, with La Comedie de Valence a partner with Kismet and Birmingham Rep in the venture, which should return to Britain for a tour early in 2006.
Two stories are paralleled, in action and narration, gently developed at a pace that includes young audiences in the feelings of the moment rather than forcing events at them. The common sources of drama for young people, the sense of adventure and danger, with eventual security are freshly worked and the 3 performers all offer an individual world, differences of accent helping in this.
This is a rich, involving hour in which the forest leaves may rustle, but throughout the theatre the audience is attentive.
The Boy: Tim Kane
The Old Woman: Lucia Zotti
The Spirit of the Wood: Nico Masciullo
Director: Rossana Farinati
Designer: Marc Laine
Lighting: Bruno Marsol
Dramaturg: Ben Payne
French Translator: Solvene Tiffou
2004-10-22 11:13:43