Theatre / Reviews
Review: Antarctica, The Weston Studio, Bristol Old Vic – ‘A seasonal slam dunk’
From the enjoyably daft opening song: “We’re brave… We’re explorers… We have a club…” – the tone is set for another seasonal slam dunk from Little Bulb.
Antarctica is aimed predominantly at 3-7-year-olds, though its playful, simple storytelling will appeal to multi-generational audiences over the Christmas holidays and into the New Year.
Written and devised by the company, this 50-minute adventure story sees chief explorer Harriet Hawk (Peta Maurice) flanked by multi-roling turns from Amy Harris and tonight, Deepraj Singh (ably stepping in to cover the poorly Emile Clarke).
Peta Maurice (Chief Explorer) in Antarctica
The narrative is relatively unencumbered by plot; all fellow brave explorers need know is that we’re off on the trail of a mysterious creature that may or may not have been sighted in the frozen and inhospitable wilds of the Earth’s southernmost continent.
Do we succeed in this unlikely quest? No spoilers here, other than to say that deft transitions of set, lighting and music conjure some of the many natural wonders Antarctica has to offer, and we meet a host of more familiar birds, beasts and fish along the way.
Emile Clarke and Amy Harris as seals
Maurice is bluff, upbeat and very engaging as our intrepid expedition leader, while Harris and Singh showcase an impressive comic range as penguins, seals, and snowflakes.
There is an unforced and elegant use of puppetry, projection, nicely cartoony costume design, and beautifully theatrical props – not least the underwater dive helmet that lights Maurice’s entranced face – and the ‘flash’ of her rather ancient-looking stills camera.
Gusts of snow blow over the icy ground
If the degree of audience interaction (some of it invited, much of it irrepressible) and giggling is anything to go by, this trio could lead us willingly to the ends of the Earth. And indeed they do.
For a show about life on the coldest part of the planet, it couldn’t really get much warmer.
Discovering creatures of the deep
Antarctica (age recommendation 3-7) is at The Weston Studio, Bristol Old Vic on December 5-January 10; performance times vary, with selected ‘Pyjama Nights’ on December 12, 19 and January 9. Check www.bristololdvic.org.uk for ticket availability.
All photos: Paul Blakemore
Read next:
Our newsletters emailed directly to you
