Stage mist and ethereal warfare sounds are the backdrop to this wonderful hour of bloodthirsty battle and adventure, with a cast of thousands resonating through the medium of Lewis Doherty and a simple set of steps. Adorned in black, the ninjaesque Doherty performs this piece energetically and enthusiastically – the second piece he’s written in what will be a trilogy. He inhabits over 30 characters, ranging from unlikely hero Boar and his sidekick Yilfa, to princesses, pirates, kings and thiefs. Ultimately they embark on a quest to rescue a Princess captured by Gorn the legendary dragon, whilst avenging the death of Boar's family who were killed by pirates.
A dynamic, lively and spirited fantasy experience
Doherty’s movements are pure poetry, a master of mime who indicates movement through space and time through the medium of sound and shape. And the piece is very accessible for audiences who aren’t particularly into movement and physical performance, as the plot is a modern Game of Thrones crossed with Lord of the Rings crossed with Zelda type adventure piece. Doherty’s innovative script is matched only by the ingenuity of his sound effects – through each of his many sounds, we are immediately transported to deep sea storms; horse treks; fiddle ditties and a death count higher than Midsomer.
The audience roars with laughter and enjoyment as Doherty’s high energy portrayal of over 30 characters keeps us gripped. Despite the complex storyline, it’s easy to understand the plot through Doherty’s range of sound effects, mime and movements across the stage. It’s like a full on workout, and the audience heartily revel in each and every plot twist.
My only criticism of the piece is that despite the tiered seating, it’s quite hard to see some of what Doherty is doing due to all the bodies in front of us. So get a front row seat for this epic performance! There’s no audience participation, so you can rest easy in that respect and enjoy a close up of what is a dynamic, lively and spirited fantasy experience.
