What better recipe for bleary-eyed parents early on a Sunday morning, than a timeless tale of a happy couple saving their food from pesky seagulls?
If you have young children it's a real treat; how can anyone rival a show where the punchline is delivered with jazz-hands and a condiment?!
Young children were especially enthralled by the friendly, welcoming cast and their marvellously inventive interpretation of Rhonda and David Armitage's sweet story that has been in print for over 40 years - quite a phenomenon in children’s literature.
It took a single trunk-full of brilliant inventiveness, a flutter of charming songs, a mandolin and a shruti (squeeze) box to create an entire world of seafaring on a tiny stage. No doubt fans of the series of books will be particularly pleased that Hamish, the lighthouse keeper's cat, also makes an appearance.
The Pied Piper Theatre's production was dated only by the quaintness of the insults Mr Grinling throws at the "varmint" stealing his sandwiches, and the devotion of Mrs Grinling to feed her man as he worked out at sea polishing his light. So charming were the performers that it wasn’t long before the entire audience was happy to be flapping and squawking, embodying those naughty seagulls.
My fellow reviewers, aged 5 and 7 declared it "fun" and were giggling and concentrating in equal measure. They enjoyed it all, especially the re-creation of weather conditions at Mr G's expense. "I hope she pours water on him again" was the considered response of the elder, in her great wisdom.
If you have young children it's a real treat; how can anyone rival a show where the punchline is delivered with jazz-hands and a condiment?!
This is the company's first Story in a Suitcase and we certainly hope it won’t be their last. They are taking this show on the road. And as Mr and Mrs Grinling are continuing their tour of the South of England until 5th August, you don’t even have to see it in Brighton. If so, you may even see this fun and funny show with no risk that your own lunch could be pilfered by flying pests.
