This half time period Monstro and the Little Angel Theatre current The King of Nothing. It’s a excessive power model of Hans Christian Anderson’s ‘The Emperor’s New Clothes’, reimagined as a musical and with puppets: a lot of puppets! King Reginald is useless – obsessive about how individuals view him and massively influenced by the media. He’s decided to have probably the most trendy, up-to-date outfit doable for his birthday parade. But when two swindlers arrive on the palace and provide to make him a rare, costly swimsuit he will get lower than he bargained for. This a slapstick, humorous manufacturing, with actual…
Rating
Good
A excessive power puppet musical with Vaudevillian fashion and loads of laughs for the entire household.
This half time period Monstro and the Little Angel Theatre current The King of Nothing. It’s a excessive power model of Hans Christian Anderson’s ‘The Emperor’s New Clothes’, reimagined as a musical and with puppets: a lot of puppets!
King Reginald is useless – obsessive about how individuals view him and massively influenced by the media. He’s decided to have probably the most trendy, up-to-date outfit doable for his birthday parade. But when two swindlers arrive on the palace and provide to make him a rare, costly swimsuit he will get much less than he bargained for.
This a slapstick, humorous manufacturing, with actual Vaudevillian fashion. Gilbert Taylor and Karina Garnett do a wonderful job as the 2 swindlers, Tina and Gerald – and all the opposite elements as nicely! Silly and upbeat from the beginning, they’re impressively multi-talented: they puppeteer, sing, act, play musical devices, all while constructing a pleasant rapport with the viewers.
Ben Glasstone (who we not too long ago interviewed) doubles up as each author and composer, and his music is a spotlight. Yes, one or two of the songs maybe run on barely too lengthy however some fantastically mild moments give welcome respiratory house amidst the anarchic world of the swindlers.
There’s loads of becoming a member of in available, which has the children laughing out loud (significantly on the bare King!). They clap alongside and revel in some panto-esque name and response. Taylor and Garnett make nice use of the auditorium, striding cheekily amongst the viewers. But anticipate the surprising and don’t belief swindlers together with your stuff!
In additional panto vogue, it’s a present that has one thing for the adults in addition to the kids. The story has clear references to as we speak’s society, with King Gerald concentrating on his personal indulgence while overlooking social problems with hungry households and the rising value of electrical energy. With swindlers telling the story, we’re left always doubtful as to what’s true and what’s not (sounds acquainted?). The King’s reliance on the fickle media to type his opinions additionally demonstrates how individuals could be manipulated into believing completely something!
This all performs out cleverly with using puppetry, which itself creates an unstated settlement with the viewers that they may droop disbelief as objects come to life. However, we’re then considerably unsettlingly in an environment of a number of doubts, questioning what’s actual and what’s not on a number of ranges, and while playful to most, this confusion could be a little bit of a giant ask for the decrease finish of the 5-11 urged age vary.
There’s hundreds to love about this manufacturing, however be ready for it to be full on, with a good few character modifications to maintain observe of – generally from puppet to human. There’s additionally an unlucky pacing alternative to shut the present, with a pleasant however balladic music that pulls down the power that’s simply been achieved by the swindlers outrageously leaving the palace.
That apart although, it’s all in all nice enjoyable for half time period and past (operating to twenty November) with one thing for all of the household and fascinating inquiries to take house and talk about: if not about politics and the media then positively in regards to the color of your pants!
Original story by: Hans Christian Anderson
Adapted by: Ben Glasstone
Directed by: Steve Tiplady
Music by: Ben Glasstone
Lighting design by: Kate Hounslow
Set, costume and puppet design by: Alison Alexander
Produced by: Little Angel Theatre and Monstro
The King of Nothing performs at Little Angel Theatre till 20 November. Further info and bookings could be discovered right here.