Playwright Greg Cullen's radical retelling of the Tarzan story - he not only changes the gender, but tugs the tale into the present, using the storyline more familiar to modern film-goers wherein it's about the ape-child's growing up in a European society rather than swinging through the jungle with Jane - has taken various forms since he wrote it some years ago for Mid Powys Youth Theatre. In its new slimline format it's Hijinx's latest success.
The novelty of the idea, despite the reworking, has lost little of its appeal and you can see why the show is going down so well - the packed audience at Llanover hall loved it. There are lots of laughs, some good chimpanzee impersonations and some none-too-deep politics as Ms Tarzanne is "civilised" into modern Welsh life.
Almost inevitably after Cullen's last play for Hijinx, Paul Robeson Knew My Father, this could be a bit of a disappointment for audiences expecting a subtler script, more adventurous staging or crucially, more provocative contnet.
The characters (Tarzanne, her mother, the garnder who helps bring her up and the black gay burglar she falls for) are less than convincing, with only the father figure revealing any depth.
Tarzanne - Queen of the Valley, could be more challenging, but those essential strenghts of Hijinx, their accessibility and directness mean this production is never less than engaging. |
