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Sleeping Trees have been impressively producing panto at Battersea Arts Centre for a number of years. In the context of nationwide austerity, nevertheless, this yr’s present feels prefer it has fallen sufferer to cutbacks. It’s low cost and cheerful, to the purpose of changing into somewhat insubstantial, the primary payoff being loud and straightforward laughs. ‘But it’s a panto!’ I hear you yell. Expectations maybe aren’t excessive for this style of labor, however possibly it’s as a result of Sleeping Trees often accomplish that a lot better that Little Red Robin Hood is somewhat disappointing. The system surrounding the story is that the forty robust forged has…
Rating
Ok
A somewhat unsophisticated panto. There’s a lot to shout about however little in the best way of substance.
Sleeping Trees have been impressively producing panto at Battersea Arts Centre for a number of years. In the context of nationwide austerity, nevertheless, this yr’s present feels prefer it has fallen sufferer to cutbacks. It’s low cost and cheerful, to the purpose of changing into somewhat insubstantial, the primary payoff being loud and straightforward laughs. ‘But it’s a panto!’ I hear you yell. Expectations maybe aren’t excessive for this style of labor, however possibly it’s as a result of Sleeping Trees often accomplish that a lot better that Little Red Robin Hood is somewhat disappointing.
The system surrounding the story is that the forty robust forged has failed to indicate and headlining celebrity, Cher, is waylaid by a helicopter incident. It’s as much as theatre ushers Simone Cornelius and Miya James, together with pleasant supply driver Sam Rix to undertake the entire occasion. They’re a likeable and gifted forged, bringing a number of power and arduous work to the stage. They instantly make the viewers really feel welcomed; encouraging and receiving a number of interplay, which the kids take pleasure in with quantity. But does that response alone make it a passable present?
The set is fairly, properly painted to look brilliant and Christmassy, but it surely provides little greater than that. The script then settles at a ‘Tesco budget range’ stage for simple, unsophisticated laughs. I get that Sleeping Trees like their work to play on naffness and being comically garbage, however that’s often complemented with a precision narrative, spiced with acutely humorous one-liners and absurdities, somewhat than bum jokes. This script over-relies on repetition of the identical outdated ‘oh no he isn’t’ format, which could make the viewers scream (to the purpose of needing ear defenders!), however doesn’t carry a lot in the best way of creativeness or Christmas magic to the stage. By the second half that joke was predictable and just about achieved to demise.
Playing forty characters (even when largely gestured at) feeds in to an overcomplicated storyline. The many character adjustments aren’t adequately delineated or certainly ridiculous sufficient to be significantly humorous, so the narrative will get complicated with no actual payback. The slight costumes are clearly chosen for the required fast adjustments and character references, however they smack considerably of ‘school play’. Towards the top the forged had been clearly having hassle with some parts, which is humorous to an extent – a threat of dwell theatre – however when a beard is relied upon to sign the arrival of Santa it must be on the face, not around the neck, or Santa’s not there.
The play has unusually anachronistic selections for cultural reference, like Cher, Salt ‘n’ Pepa dance routines and off-brand songs suggestive of different popstars younger kids are unlikely to know. There are additionally barely troubling questions on Red being uncared for as a result of her mum goes out to work (albeit as an outlaw), and a complicated proposal that “don’t have to do the right thing to do the right thing”, akin to Matilda’s “sometimes you have to be a little bit naughty” however extra cumbersome.
This being stated, for one of the best a part of the present the younger viewers had been shouting away and actually having fun with their interactions. Sadly, nevertheless, they’ll going away calling one another “smelly poo-bum”. By the top they had been just about burnt out on this, so the efficiency ended somewhat awkwardly, with no nice sense of triumph for the heroes who save the day, and a pressured bow.
There are actually laughs available right here, simply not balanced out with any actual seasonal sparkle. If that is the one theatre your kids will see this Christmas, maybe mirror if that’s all you need to provide them.
Written by: Ben Hales, James Dunnell-Smith, John Woodburn, Joshua George Smith
With extra script writing and enhancing from Alice Carter & Kerry Frampton
Directed by: Kerry Frampton
Musical Direction and Sound Design by: Ben Hales
Set and Costume Design by: Emily Bestow
Lighting Design by: Charly Dunford
Co-produced by Battersea Arts Centre, Sleeping Trees & Splendid Productions
Little Red Riding Hood performs at Battersea Arts Centre till 8 January. Further info and bookings will be discovered right here.