Wolf, Witch, Giant, Fairy at Vue Cinema, Meridian Leisure Park, Leicester Review
DISCLOSURE – THIS EXPERIENCE WAS GIFTED TO THE REVIEWER AND GUEST/S FOR THE PURPOSES OF WRITING THE REVIEW.
Reviewed by LW
Wolf, Witch, Giant, Fairy. Vue Cinema, Meridian Leisure Park, Leicester
Vue Cinema Leicester is located at the Meridian, a large leisure complex located a short drive from Junction 21 or the M1 motorway and Junction 1 on the M69 making it a very easily accessible venue. Additionally, the complex has extensive free parking, restaurants and other entertainment activities. It would be easy for a family to spend a large amount of time here.
The Vue Cinema has many screens and serves a good range of drinks and snacks which include a variety of offers, hot and cold snacks as well as various drinks. The screen which we were shown to has a small section in the middle for premium seats which seemed to include a wider arm rest but no greater amount of leg room.
The film started with an introduction from one of the actors – a great start for a family friendly recording of an opera which this was, a show recommended for those under 15. Included in this was mention of several up-and-coming shows, which, although I haven’t seen them, I would recommend a trip out, a recording of a show is certainly ‘Good to do’.
The Story follows Red Riding Hood. First up, unsurprisingly she heads off to deliver baked goods to Grandma, and on the way encounters a Wolf. The costume here was beautiful in its simplicity in showing a fierce but haggard wolf, the use of a mask worn on the head and rags perfectly set the scene. But alas, despite what we all know, Red Riding takes a wrong turn and finds herself entrapped by a witch. This was a fantastic scene and provided many laughs. The witch was the many ‘classic opera singer’ for want of a better phrase, as she is foiled in her attempts to eat Red Riding a very funny section and enjoyed by myself and my young companion. A fabulous scene followed where Red Riding uses the Witch’s magic against her to escape. Obviously – next up is the encounter with a Giant. Post escape from the Witch, Red arrives in a village, where the fantastically costumed locals (All made of baskets!) are sad that their Golden Goose and Harp have been stolen. Red Riding offers to take their cow to market, to find some money to feed the village. She meets a pedlar who convinces her to sell the cow for some magic beans. Cue the growing of a beanstalk (More fabric rags) and the encounter with a Giant. Red Riding manages to defeat the giant and returns the goose and harp to the villagers.
The final section of the story was my favourite. Red Riding was returned back to her original destination of Grandma’s house, where she was inevitably devoured by the wolf. Here we meet the Fairy! I won’t write any spoilers, but it was lovely, she was saved, and (almost) all were able to live on Happily, Ever, After.
There were moments in the opera which made us laugh out loud. I loved the simplicity of the set, just a single round stage and the costume. The actors were all moving between their main roles and those of the chorus and the orchestra which was very clever and enjoyable.
The screening this afternoon was disappointingly empty, and I’m not sure when this particular show will be shown again. However, I highly recommend going to see other ‘Big Screen Events’, an excellent way to see ‘Live’ theatre without the price tag.
Rating: 5/5 Stars
Other shows available to book at www.myvue.com.