ZAGAZOO. To 11 July.

Young People

ZAGAZOO
by Quentin Blake adapted by mike Kenny

Roundabout Theatre in Education tour in Nottingham to 11 July 2003 Schools performances only
Runs 1hr No interval
Review: Timothy Ramsden 11 July 2003 at Highwood Player Infant and Nursery School, Bilborough

High energy metaphor of childhood's variety for 4-7s.Cunning Mike Kenny. With so many scripts writing their own epitaph ('Isn't this terrible'-type dialogue) he's peppered his opening moments with words of enthusiasm. 'Fantastic' seems George and Bella's sole vocabulary, happily dusting their neat house all day, taking time off only for their hobby of paper-aeroplane making. True, there's the odd 'Marvellous' and a lone 'Lovely' gets a look-in, but mainly it's all 'Fan tastic'.

Emma Manton and Dharmander Singh give this sequence an energetic comic stylisation which never flags throughout Paul Savage's briskly physical production, underscored by stage-side percussion responding to the action as well as rhythmically and atmospherically supporting it on drums, whistles and cymbals, Sophie Fishwick effectively becomes an observer-commentator on events.

Which take a new turn when a plain brown-paper wrapped bundle arrives containing baby Zagazoo -Ia bundle of delight, at least till the bodily functions start flowing. But the proud parents take a souvenir snap anyway.

They keep doing so; only for baby to change each time. Howling bird, furniture-destroying elephant, playful warthog, fire-breathing dragon: duffel-coated Matthew Blacklock turns from baby-doll operator to puppeteer as his pockets produce the smaller creatures, his coat growing trunk, ears and wings for elephant and bat manifestations of the growing child.

Till it turns inside-out for the final mysterious, bear-like creature, the strange, hairy, uncommunicative teenager, before a final metamorphosis, casting-off the childhood coat as smart young man.

Bit-parts are 2D stereotype cutouts, wheeled on to complain about noise, be assaulted by mischievous Zagazoo, and finally to start the process over as he meets delightful young Mirabelle.

Kenny's text deploys Quentin Blake's words with rhythmic economy that joins Matt Marks' music as aural elements in a stage texture illuminated by Helen Davie' ingenious set a dull, diagrammatic room enlivened by bright patches and high-coloured cups and plates.

This riotous hour holds audience attention in its few reflective moments. Energetically performed, its view of young people's varied, developing personalities creates a sympathetic understanding that could resonate across a lot of lives. Mostly, adults won't see the show. A pity; it could be fine parental therapy.

Zagazoo: Matthew Blacklock
Bella: Emma Manton
George: Dharmander Singh
Musician: Sophie Fishwick

Director: Paul Savage
Designer: Helen Davies
Composer/Musical Director: Matt Marks

2003-07-14 13:25:09