Theatr na n'Og |
| Theatr na n'Og- Halt! Who Goes There? , Dylan Thomas Theatre, Swansea , December 2, 2004 |
| Well over 5000 children from the South Wales area will have seen this absorbing production from Theatr na n'Og before it reaches the end of its 16 week-long run in Swansea(believed to be the longest run of a children's production at a single Welsh venue). Based on a true story and redolent of Dennis Potter's Blue Remembered Hills in its mode of storytelling, this play – inspired by the circumstances revolving around the mass escape of sixty seven German prisoners of war from a camp in Bridgend – features just four performers and is played in the round, on a set which, in typical Theatr na n'Og style, brings the audience into the heart of the action. Director/writer Geinor Jones combines theatrical experience with a down-to-earth knowledge of what makes a young audience tick, and there is plenty here to engage the attention of kids and keep them on the edge of their seats from first to last while giving them an authentic feel of what life must have been like for ordinary Welsh schoolchildren back in the dark days of the Second World War. But this is no colourless, po-faced historical reconstruction. The dialogue is peppered with ingredients guaranteed to get kids giggling and keep them interested: there is a sequence, for example, in which a small boy belches the initials of his nickname, much to the delight of the audience. The parts of the four young friends who decide to embark upon an adventure by hunting down the escaped "Jerries" are played by Arwel Davies, Dion Davies, ex-Fluellen player Naomi Martell and Huw Tiplady, all of whom also play multiple roles as soldiers, policemen, eccentric old biddies and more besides. Like all the very best theatrical productions for children, this is a piece which works on several levels and which is as poignant and moving as it is funny and exciting. The relationships between the four friends are beautifully conveyed and even the minor roles are well drawn and nicely fleshed out. Despite a few minor blips in the sense of period - largely caused by lapses into modern phraseology from time to time - this is superb stuff and shows yet again that children's theatre can be as smartly excuted and meaningful as its grown-up counterpart. Theatr na n'Og will be touring a new production, Beyond Words, to comprehensive schools in Swansea, Neath Port Talbot and Bridgend from January to March, while the new musical production Melangell/ The Princess and the Hunter can be seen at theatres across Wales during February and March. |
Reviewed by: Graham Williams |
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