Theatre / luke pitman
Review: Arabian Nights, Brewery Theatre
Definite proof that you don’t have to be a child (or even have them) to enjoy children’s theatre, this is a fast-paced piece of storytelling using puppets, music and physical theatre to convey some of the oldest legends in the world.
Before the show even started, the comic storyteller (Luke Pitman) made his audience giggle uproariously with visual gags. He even gave me a hug when he saw me sitting alone – if only all reviews began that way.
First we meet Sheherazade, played convincingly by Yasmin Goodwin, and her new husband the king (William Forde), who has a penchant for cutting off his wives’ heads after a single night.
According to tradition, Sheherazade distracts him by telling him a thousand stories to make the king ‘laugh and cry and gasp in wonder’ – with four of the best presented in this hour-long show. The host of characters are brilliantly portrayed by just three energetic actors.
First up is Ali Baba and the forty thieves, which sees some of the best comic turns, notably Luke Pitman as the donkey.
Then we meet the singing fisherman, who rescues a bottle from the salty depths of the ocean only to release William Forde as the cross-eyed and malignant genie. Adults are kept happy with some fantastically Shakespearean insults – ‘you mindless mound of mollusc dung’ – and witty remarks.
Next is the sad tale of the little beggar, a puppet, which comes with a slight health warning as various grisly deaths come into play, but they are dressed in light Punch and Judy humour.
Sheherazade’s final hero is Aladdin, whose evil adversary is William Forde’s best performance. This lively yarn even wins round her husband, the hard-hearted king.
Story Pocket Theatre is an apt name for this Surrey-based production company. On stage, there is only a pocket’s worth of simple but adaptable set, yet with the help of Sarah Sage’s lighting, changing costumes and a lively soundtrack, the audience is deftly transported to Persia.
“Stories are idle things that keep people from the work they should be doing,” the king scoffs. Go, enjoy, and be distracted.
Arabian Nights continues at the Brewery Theatre, Bristol until Sun 2 Nov. For more info and to book tickets, visit http://www.tobaccofactorytheatres.com/shows/detail/arabian_nights/
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