Review of At the Torch from the theatre dance and drama in Wales web site

sheer Yuletide magic

At the Torch

Torch Theatre- Danny & the Donkey Man , Torch Theatre, Milford Haven , December 6, 2002

Do you ever get the feeling, when playing an arcade type game, that you could almost be there? Well for young Danny, the titular hero of the Torch theatre’s superb festive offering, ‘Danny and the Donkey man and the search for the Magic Crystal’, that is exactly what happens!

Once again the Milford Haven theatre company have steered clear of the traditional pantomime route for their Yuletide production, opting instead for a novel and imaginative tale written and directed by their own artistic director, Peter Doran.

With a gripping, witty plot packed full of colourful characters and a punchy, up-tempo score written by James Williams, ‘Danny and the Donkey man and the search for the Magic Crystal’ (you’ll forgive me for shortening to just Danny and the Donkey Man henceforth) is the perfect antidote to the usual plethora of Cinderellas and Aladdins as it tells the tale of little Danny and his remarkable Christmas Day adventure.

Although teased by the other children because he only had a new game for Christmas instead of their hauls of new skateboards, bikes and scooters, Danny has another role to play in life, to save Christmas from the evil Rinigar, the Ice Maiden.

Called upon to help Merlin the Magician (a beneficent George Waring) to rescue the Magic Crystal – the source of the great wizard’s power – from the clutches of Rinigar, Danny has to physically enter the game and join forces with Agrid, a great warrior who has been turned into a donkey by the wicked Ice Maiden.

On their journey through the various levels of the game to their ultimate goal, the Ice Maiden’s palace, Danny and Agrid, the Donkey Man, are helped and hindered by various characters, until – without giving too much away – the satisfyingly happy endings all round and a heart-warming final twist to boot.

Doran and Co. have weaved a magical tale that is as appealing to adults as little ones, with staff and pupils of Golden Grove school thoroughly entranced on the morning I attended.

You get more than just the usual ‘behind yous’ and slap-stick humour – although there is plenty of both in this cracker – you get a romp of an adventure that really puts you in the mood for Christmas.

While at its heart this is your basic tale of good triumphing over evil, ‘Danny and the Donkey Man’ is vibrantly and innovatively staged.

Merlin speaks to Danny via a huge game station suspended above the stage, songs blend rock, pop, rap and even rumba beats in toe-tapping, hand-clapping style, puppetry and the cracking costumes and scenic design by Sean Crowley just scream with bold primary colours. There are also some spectacular set pieces, and when it comes to audience participation, ‘Danny and the Donkey Man’ has it in spades, with clues hidden in the auditorium, the audience being called upon to help Danny on numerous occasions and your traditional sing-a-long song.

Doran has also rounded up a cast as bold and ebullient as his tale, with Family Affairs star Huw Bevan bringing naivety and wide-eyed wonder – and a dash of stoic heroism – to the role of young Danny.

Keith Woodason was everyone’s best friend as Agrid, while Louisa Tee, making her professional debut, promise great things if her turn as the ever-reliable Crag is anything to go by.

Although gruff and grumpy Grumbletrash has dubious loyalties, changing his allegiances as often as I change my socks, Lee Mengo brought warm charm to the role; Kyra Williams was every inch the hissable villain as Rinigar, while Michael Neary blended endearing likeability with malevolence as Rinigar’s sidekick Beetlebones.

They all brought tremendous energy and enthusiasm to the production which zipped along at a cracking pace and was over all too soon.

Currently playing to schools, the Torch’s production of ‘Danny and the Donkey Man’ begins its public performances on December 21, although the general public may also purchase tickets for the school matinees subject to availability.

Reviewed by: ANDREW DAVIES, TENBY OBSERVER

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There are 81 other reviews of productions with this title in our database:

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At the Torch- reviewed by Michael Kelligan (04 March 2016)
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At the Torch- reviewed by Ron Waters (09 December 2013)
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At the Torch- reviewed by Ron Waters (03 December 2012)
At the Torch- reviewed by Adam Somerset (10 November 2012)
At the Torch- reviewed by Amanda Griffiths (15 October 2012)
At the Torch- reviewed by Ron Waters (08 October 2012)
At the Torch- reviewed by Jessie Condon (05 October 2012)
At the Torch- reviewed by Jessie Condon (03 August 2012)
At the Torch- reviewed by Victor Hallett (16 May 2012)
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At the Torch- reviewed by Ron Waters (27 April 2012)
At the Torch- reviewed by Victor Hallett (09 June 2011)
At the Torch- reviewed by Ron Waters (14 May 2011)
At the Torch- reviewed by Ron Waters (15 December 2010)
At the Torch- reviewed by Ron Waters (11 October 2010)
At the Torch- reviewed by Tim Barrett (19 August 2010)
At the Torch- reviewed by Ron Waters (13 August 2009)
At the Torch- reviewed by Ron Waters (07 August 2009)
At the Torch- reviewed by Ron Waters (04 August 2009)
At the Torch- reviewed by Adam Somerset (26 April 2009)
At the Torch- reviewed by Tim Barrett (12 December 2008)
At the Torch- reviewed by David Adams (05 April 2008)
At the Torch- reviewed by David Adams (04 December 2006)
At the Torch- reviewed by David Adams (25 October 2006)
At the Torch- reviewed by Michael Kelligan (20 July 2006)
At the Torch- reviewed by Michael Kelligan (09 March 2006)
At the Torch- reviewed by Ron Waters, The Stage (16 February 2006)
At the Torch- reviewed by David Adams (12 February 2006)
At the Torch- reviewed by Terry Johnson, The Stage (15 October 2005)
At the Torch- reviewed by Fiona Phillips (12 October 2005)
At the Torch- reviewed by David Adams (06 October 2005)
At the Torch- reviewed by Simon Carr. Western Telegraph (09 December 2004)
At the Torch- reviewed by David Adams (23 October 2004)
At the Torch- reviewed by Emma Jones, Western Telegraph (21 October 2004)
At the Torch- reviewed by Ron Walters, Milford Mercury (21 October 2004)
At the Torch- reviewed by Graham Williams (10 March 2004)
At the Torch- reviewed by David Adams (06 February 2004)
At the Torch- reviewed by David Adams (10 February 2003)
At the Torch- reviewed by Vivien Stoddart (06 February 2003)
At the Torch- reviewed by Jenny Hanson, Tenby Observer (05 February 2003)
At the Torch- reviewed by ANDREW DAVIES, TENBY OBSERVER (31 January 2003)
At the Torch- reviewed by Viv Stoddart, The Stage (06 December 2002)
At the Torch- reviewed by David Adams (06 December 2002)
At the Torch- reviewed by JENNY HANSON (06 December 2002)
At the Torch- reviewed by Assorted Edinburgh papers (02 August 2002)
At the Torch- reviewed by Zoe Hewett (26 March 2002)
At the Torch- reviewed by Zoe Hewett (09 March 2002)
At the Torch- reviewed by Michael Kelligan (09 March 2002)
At the Torch- reviewed by Rebecca Nesvet (28 February 2002)
At the Torch- reviewed by Viv Stoddart, The Stage (21 February 2002)
At the Torch- reviewed by Andrews Davies (15 February 2002)
At the Torch- reviewed by MILFORD & WEST WALES MERCURY (15 February 2002)
At the Torch- reviewed by Keith Johnson, Western Telegaph (13 February 2002)
At the Torch- reviewed by Tenby Observer (07 December 2001)
At the Torch- reviewed by Viv Stoddart, Milford Mercury (07 December 2001)
At the Torch- reviewed by Janet Bott (07 December 2001)
At the Torch- reviewed by Fiona Phillips (05 December 2001)
At the Torch- reviewed by Vivien Stoddart (26 October 2001)
At the Torch- reviewed by David Adams (11 September 2001)
At the Torch- reviewed by David Adams (09 August 2001)
At the Torch- reviewed by Victoria Cooper (10 March 2001)
At the Torch- reviewed by Elaine Atack (03 March 2001)
At the Torch- reviewed by Rebecca Nesvett (28 February 2001)
At the Torch- reviewed by Vivien Stoddart (The Stage) (15 February 2001)
At the Torch- reviewed by David Adams (14 February 2001)
At the Torch- reviewed by Ron Waters (08 February 2001)
At the Torch- reviewed by David Adams (21 October 2000)

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