| “Curiosity, Quiet Humour & Beautifully Judged Physical Comedy- Children Loved It” |
Theatr Iolo |
| Theatr Iolo- Owl at Home , Dining Room at Gilded Balloon Teviot, Edinburgh , August 31, 2026 |
The Fringe Review was at "Owl at Home". “Cardiff’s Theatr Iolo creates work relevant to children of all backgrounds. And here we have a simple entertaining piece of engagement which works for their targeted audience well. The early primary audience when I saw it were so engaged. That told me that this was a happy place. “...Our owl, George Williams, is the only person on stage, and portrays the solitary creature perfectly. Rina Vergano’s adaptation of the original story by Arnold Lobel platforms the idea that people can cope with their own selves, and without layering the knowledge of an owl at the beginning it makes us hungry for more so that when the owl listens to the radio later you are ready for the information and the children are fully engaged in what is going on. ...There were connections to the adults in the audience which worked well but more importantly the children just loved the silliness of it all. The structure worked not because some old geezer up the back was trying to work out what was going on, but because the children in that environment understood better than us all. “The owl was plagued with such silliness and physicality that we couldn’t fail to be engaged in his antics.” “...This was really clever. It was clever because it knew what it was, it knew its audience and it knew how to engage with young people, so that their eyes are open to the possibilities of imagination, creativity and the theatre, which Theatre Iola has brought to them. I should just get back in touch with that childlike self who just wants to smile and laugh and enjoy so I did. Abridged, with thanks and acknowledgement, from the full review which can be read at: https://fringereview.co.uk/review/edinburgh-fringe/2026/owl-at-home-theatr-iolo/ * * * * Theatre and Art Reviews was there: “Owl, sleeping peacefully in his chair is rudely awoken by his inconsiderate alarm clock, which seems to like playing tricks on him. As Owl’s imagination runs away with him, ordinary objects begin to take on a life of their own. “The set is beautifully ergonomic. A single arched structure with multiple shelves, hooks, and stairs provides a position for all his props. Owl reminds his mallet that everything has its own place. “The result is a gentle, imaginative world. Owl is thoughtful and eccentric; playful and quietly vulnerable. He finds joy in the everyday, creating adventures from ordinary objects and conversations from silence. “Williams’ experience in clowning is evident in his every movement. His physical comedy is beautifully judged, allowing the humour to emerge naturally from Owl’s curiosity. He moves around the stage with incredible precision, making every stumble, leap and playful interaction feel effortless. The performance space is fully explored, and every prop has a purpose. It is a masterclass in making a seemingly simple set feel limitless. “Music gently threads the production together, with Williams himself playing a hand pumped accordion to accompany his songs. “There is a tenderness running through the entire performance. Owl at Home gently reminds us that there is beauty in slowing down, noticing our surroundings and finding comfort in our own company. “Watching the audience was one of the evening’s greatest pleasures. Children laughed freely, leaned forward with anticipation and became completely absorbed in Owl’s adventures. “Owl at Home is story telling at its best; full of curiosity, quiet humour and beautifully judged physical comedy. Children loved it and so did I. Abridged, with thanks and acknowledgement, from the full review which can be read at: https://theatreandartreviews.com/2026/08/23/owl-at-home-edinburgh-fringe-2026/ * * * * The Quintessential Review was there: “Theatre Iolo’s Owl at Home is a particularly lovely piece of family-friendly theatre. Based on Arnold Lobel’s 1975 book of the same name, the production opens as the curtain lifts on Owl (actor-muso George Williams) snoring happily beneath his blanket. Awakened by a cuckoo-call alarm clock (which he promptly threatens with a mallet), he begins his day at home. Owl, you see, loves his home; there is nowhere he would rather be. He loves it so much that once the milk is taken in (delivered by the ‘Milk seagull’), the tea is made, and his morning mouse is gobbled, it’s time to sing it a love song “Self-accompanied via a hand-pumped harmonium, Williams quickly proves himself an accomplished singer, with a delightful, expressive voice and a talent for delivering clear, meaningful lyrics. Coupled with an obvious knack for character acting and physical comedy, you can see why Theatre Iolo Artistic Director Lee Lyford and stage adapter Rina Vergano would give him the nod. “For the most part, I would say that the show captures the emotional core of Lobel’s cosy, philosophy-touched story. We definitely get a feel for Owl’s contentment in his abode: everything is in its place, and every place is the right place. His morning exercises, dictated by whatever his radio tunes into, are a delight, whilst the madcap caper ushered in by a handheld vacuum taken up to deal with some crumbs takes things deep into Marx Brothers territory. Hair swept into a widow’s peak and punk side-licks, face dominated by a pair of large, round, lens-free spectacles, he also makes a fine, anthropomorphised bird. For young and old audiences alike, he’s a very easy character to like. “Theatre Iolo’s Owl at Home is a particularly lovely piece of family-friendly theatre...it’s easy to see why this production has enjoyed a long touring shelf life and keeps finding ready audiences wherever it goes. It’s a show that combines easy understanding and enjoyment by the youngest, whilst prompting reflections on what ‘home’ means for older audiences. Owl at Home is also a delightful reminder that being alone doesn’t mean being lonely, and that meaning can always be found when spending time with oneself in one’s own home.” Abridged, with thanks and acknowledgement, from the full review which can be read at: https://theqr.co.uk/2026/08/18/edfringe-review-owl-at-home-theatr-iolo-2/ |
Reviewed by: Adam Somerset |
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