A beautiful and award winning story which provoked unprecedented public acclaim and was reported to have motorists all over the country pulling over to listen and weep after its initial broadcast on Radio 4, opens a national tour of the stage production at the Torch Theatre next week [Tuesday 24 March].Subsequently voted one of the ten best radio dramas of all time by readers of Radio Times, Spoonface Steinberg was also adapted for television, sold 35,000 recorded versions and has now been adapted for the stage by its author, Lee Hall. Author of that wonderful film Billy Elliot, there is no denying that Lee Hall’s writing is both powerful and beautiful, and he has the incredible talent for being able to make us laugh and cry with immaculate ease. In Spoonface’s 8 years she has seen more than most adults have stopped to notice. Staring up at her reflection in a bent spoon, she attempts to piece together the world around her like a complicated jigsaw puzzle. From her autistic perspective, she does not expect life to make sense, but her quirky and eloquent take on the world around her is nothing less than heart warming and somehow uplifting to those who share her story. But as we learn about Spoonface’s love of opera, her savant qualities, and the complex world of the adults around her, we slowly realise she’s terminally ill, and that we are witnessing the swansong of a quite extraordinary little girl. Yet even faced with death she says, I wasn’t worried, and we had fish fingers. The job of casting an adult to portray an eight year old is a daunting prospect for any director. Heaven forbid we should have a grown up in kids clothing! Thankfully not. The diminutive and accomplished 24 year old professional actress Zoe Thorne is not only a dead ringer for an eight year old [take a look at her photograph], but her performance needs to be seen to be believed. Zoe has recently completed a hugely successful season with the Royal Shakespeare Company in their critically acclaimed Hamlet, alongside David Tennant, The Crucible and Loves Labours Lost. She has also appeared on TV in Dr Who, The Bill and Holby City. A chance to take stock of the world and view life through Spoonface’s innocent logic this play is illuminating, mesmerising, poignant and at times very funny. Hankies not supplied! Spoonface Steinberg, performed by Beggars and Kings, can be seen at Milford Haven’s Torch Theatre on Tuesday 24 March. Tickets may be reserved online at www.torchtheatre.co.uk or by calling the Theatre Box Office on 01646 695267. |
| web site: www.torchtheatre.co.uk |
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Monday, March 16, 2009 |
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