Belt Ups interactive oeuvre is kind of perfect for childrens theatre. Their brand of immersive productions has been honed for a couple of years now, but never with kids specifically in mind until now, and the results are quite charming. First off, from the time everyone enters the space, a quaint little forest facsimile, members of the ensemble are singing and dancing, incorporating their new visitors as they enter. Eventually, they grab the largest book in the space, and a fairy tale springs to life all around and within the audience. The story is refreshingly not a standard fairy tale, with stronger themes such as tolerance, sacrifice and understanding ruling the day rather than a common and cliched happily ever after scenario. As fun as the show is, though, it still feels very straight, with the audience actually sitting and watching for a lions share of the performance and really not allowing people to fully explore the brilliantly realised environment. There is also a very traditional manipulation of the sonic environment, with an out of tune piano and shaky (yet enthusiastic) singing and vocal work attacking our aural systems. Part of me hopes that at some future Fringe, the Belt Up ladies and lads would just make a kids version of their Dreamscape experience (which is not the official Fringe schedule, but is probably their best work this year). Because bringing children into more of a non-linear environment could tap into the well of imagination that wasnt as deep as it should have been for Octavia.
