The Borrowers at The Dukes, Lancaster Review
DISCLOSURE – TICKETS TO SEE THE SHOW WERE GIFTED TO THE REVIEWER AND GUEST FOR THE PURPOSES OF WRITING THE REVIEW
Reviewed by Cath Joyce
A trip to the theatre is a fantastic way to bring families together and is one of our favourite Christmas traditions. This year we went to The Dukes in Lancaster to see a delightful production of Mary Norton’s classic tale, The Borrowers. As a fan of the book in my childhood and having fond memories of the TV adaptation, I was particularly eager to see how this enchanting story would translate to the stage. I’m thrilled to say it exceeded all expectations.
The story revolves around the Borrowers, a family of tiny people who secretly live beneath the floorboards of a large, old country house. Pod, his wife Homily, and their adventurous daughter Arrietty survive by “borrowing” small everyday items from the humans above them. These objects, matchboxes, thimbles, biscuits and scraps of fabric, are repurposed ingeniously to create their miniature world. However, their existence depends on remaining unseen, as discovery could spell disaster.
Curiosity drives Arrietty to explore the outside world, and during one of her adventures, she meets Eddie, a boy staying in the house with his aunt. Fascinated by her tiny size, Eddie forms an unlikely friendship with Arrietty but their bond places the Borrowers at huge risk and their presence is soon uncovered by Eddie’s aunt. Faced with exposure, the family must make the heart-wrenching decision to leave their beloved home and flee to safety.
This adaptation by Bea Roberts breathes new life into the traditional story, weaving nostalgia with fresh, engaging elements. For those familiar with The Borrowers, it’s a heart warming trip down memory lane, while new audiences will simply be captivated by the imaginative storytelling. The production is full of humour, charm, and suspense, making it an enjoyable experience for all ages.
The ingenious set, designed by Richard Foxton, captures the contrasting scales between the Borrowers’ world and the human world. When the grandfather clock is on the stage, we’re in the world of humans, whilst under the floorboards we see a matchbox become a stove and a champagne cork a handy stool. Oversized props, such as a gigantic pair of glasses and Mrs Driver’s stocking clad leg, seamlessly blend the two perspectives, bringing the Borrowers’ tiny world vividly to life.
The talented cast brings the story to life, Howard Chadwick shines as the older Eddie, narrating the story with a delightful mix of warmth and humour while donning his colourful, glittery cardigan – probably the only nod to Christmas in the entire production. Amy Tara perfectly captures Arrietty’s wide-eyed wonder and excitement as she discovers the world beyond her tiny home. Whilst The Borrowers isn’t a pantomime we do have a baddie in the story – Mrs. Driver, Eddie’s aunt. She plays the part really well, striking the right balance meaning she isn’t too scary for younger audience members.
The production is packed with energy, laughs, audience participation, and catchy songs. It’s entertaining for children without veering into pantomime territory whilst offering enough sophistication to keep adults engaged. With its talented cast, imaginative set, and festive charm, The Borrowers at The Dukes is the perfect Christmas treat, a show that brings the whole family together offering a magical experience for all ages.
Rating: 5/5
Tickets cost from: £18
The Borrowers is at the Dukes Theatre, Moor Lane Lancaster LA11QE from 22nd November to 31st December 2024
For more information or to book tickets visit: www.dukeslancaster.org or call Box office on: 01524 598500