A ‘Tangled Tale' told to a full and young house

I felt a bit of a fraud going to review this show, as it is ostensibly for children. Whilst I am happy to go to student theatre, I have not been to any performance of children's shows or pantomime for some forty years. As an uncle and a former teacher I know that young children are notoriously difficult to entertain for any length of time, so it was with some misgivings that I tackled event number three in my Terpsichorean pentathlon.

"If I believe in you, you can believe in me'
My scruples were completely swept away by a spectacular and magical production of the unique and wacky tale which had its predominantly young (and full) audience completely enraptured. There are several essential ingredients for captivating the imagination of the young: animals, face-pulling, anything surreal (no, not Dalì) falling over, variety, puns (the worse the better), dance, colour, gobbledegook and, of course, custard pies. As well as talking puddings and lamb chops.

"I wonder what I'll do when I become a Queen'
Illyria played the pantomime, farce, music hall, burlesque, camp songs, Commedia dell'Arte (John insisted) and the other theatrical dimensions of this imaginative adaptation with total professionalism, superb timing, fine singing, and deft and vivid movement. The cast of five (who played a staggering total of 37 different characters) had the children, (and some of us adults!), shouting, clapping along to the live music, guffawing at the outrageous dialogue and cooing at the extensive and outrageous range of animals, plants, chess pieces, insects and, er, a train.

"Whose dream was it anyway?'
Oxford's painfully shy Reverend Mr Dodgson, MA, aimed to entertain the Dean of Christ Church's "seven years and six months' old daughter with his stories, many of which, all jewels like the Alice diptych, are neglected today. Last week, Illyria had Lancaster's future adults rapt attention, and evinced continuing eager, visible and audible reaction to their show.

That Friday night, the shy mathematician was surely smiling down from whichever dimension, logical or otherwise, he is now inhabiting.

Copyright © 17 August 2004
Michael Nunn; John L Burkinshaw

An added plaudit: The staff at Williamson Park thoughtfully provided insect spray in the interval for those who needed it. Little gestures like these are appreciated by parents, and show commendable foresight and care on the City Council's behalf.

For some useful links on website to Lewis Carroll/ Rev Charles Lutwidge Dodgson, his works and his background, see:

www.bbc.co.uk/arts/books/author/carroll/index.shtml
www.lewiscarroll.org/carroll.html
http://falcon.jmu.edu/~ramseyil/carroll.htm
www.victorianweb.org/authors/carroll/carrollov.html