Reviewed by Sarah Bryan
Now this is exciting theatre!
“Is it puppets?”
“What if it’s real animals!?”
The kids were really looking forward to seeing David Baddiel’s ANiMALCOLM at Aylesbury Waterside Theatre and as we entered this truly beautiful theatre set in the heart of the town, the girls were full of anticipation and wonder.
The show was nothing short of amazing! It kept every age range enthralled and every bottom glued to their seats as the story unfolded at a pace just right for young imaginations on a school night.
The cast were like pearls of talent; each one so professional and enthusiastic and engaging with the crowd so to bring them all together on one stage was a real treat for the senses. With voices like silk that occasionally burst into big belting numbers, they used the entire space of the stage platform to deliver a very unique experience.
This story from David Baddiel, comedian and children’s author has got it all, with lots of school boy humour, utter silliness and laced with emotion as Malcolm learns a huge lesson life. The screen adaptation of this best seller delivers liveliness and energy in abundance and it was just the loveliest show to go to with the family.
The main character was Malcolm and the actor who played him (Adam Colborne) was every bit a year 6 boy; his use of movement really captured the characteristics of a 10 year old and he was fantastic during the transitional phases, as he emerged as each new animal it was like he was born each time and grew before our eyes making it so believable.
We also loved Zsa Zsa the Cat played by Charlotte Haines who’s slinky smooth feline attributes were so graceful.
This bunch of actors were not just dressed in costume; they became the character and I’ve never seen a stage show quite like it. It has a different feel to it, a unique quality that makes me eager to see more shows from the Story Pocket Theatre.
The stage was fairly simple in design but with an ingenious caged mechanism that flipped and twisted to reveal all sorts of backdrops and props and I loved the little grass cube cages that were both practical and softened the set. It didn’t need bells and whistles, there was so much happening with the actors that the stage felt full to bursting and there was often something else happening in the background!
This was acting in its finest and I look forward to seeing what else this quirky zany bunch of talented people bring us from the Story Pocket Theatre!
The story captures the essence of real family life, its hustle and bustle and mayhem and the humour throughout was hilarious; you can definitely feel David Baddiel in there! We all chortled at the toilet humour and the flinging poo had us in stitches!
Well worth a visit! You won’t be disappointed!
Rating: 4/5
Tickets cost from £14.15 (plus £1.95 transaction fee).
David Baddiel’s ANiMALCOLM is at the Waterside Theatre in Aylesbury from 6-7 March 2019, for more information or to book tickets visit www.atgtickets.com/aylesbury or call the box office on 0844 871 7607.
Waterside Theatre, Exchange Street, Aylesbury, Bucks, HP20 1UG | 0844 871 7607
