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Fourth Monkey's Grimm Tales: Little Red Cap

 
James Moore Review by James Moore 4 Published: 13 Aug 2015 theSpace on Niddry St Show Dates: 7 Aug 2015-29 Aug 2015

A bare stage, obscured by low lighting and backed by an eerie sinister soundtrack set the tone for this gripping retelling of the classic children’s fairy-tale, but this telling is definitely not for children. Fourth Monkey’s production of The Grimm Tales: Little Red Cap is an exceptional example of inventive storytelling with a perfect blend of abstract, physical sequences and outstanding performances from all its actors across a broad range of ages.

This is a fantastic piece of theatre done by a talented bunch of people: visual storytelling at its best.

The narrative follows both Little Red Cap and carer Rachel, whose stories parallel each other in perfect unison, each scene flowing seamlessly into the next to provide a fresh take on how to present this tale. The standout performances of the group were Rachel (Christine McGowan) and Will (Matija Vlatkovic), who were incredible throughout and had wonderful chemistry in the scenes they shared. That’s not to say the rest of the cast weren’t equally fantastic. Across the board the performances were brilliant, each playing their part in achieving an effective atmosphere. A group of them in dark clothing and creepy makeup were a constant presence throughout the piece, folding themselves into the set and at times repeated the main character’s dialogue in a hoarse, raspy echo. They acted as a constant reminder that, even in the lightest moments of the play, this is a Grimm Tale.

Special praise also needs to be given to the wolf (played by David Elwood), whose design and performance was enough to give the full-grown adults nightmares, let alone any children. Combined with the aesthetically pleasing lighting design, the monstrous form of the wolf striding across the stage was a horror to behold.

Each component of the aesthetic fit together like pieces of a puzzle, complementing one another, demonstrating a clear sense of collaboration within the company. The acting was allied with the sound effects and the physical transitions were allied with the lighting, all working together to achieve a truly polished performance. This is a fantastic piece of theatre done by a talented bunch of people: visual storytelling at its best.

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The Blurb:

‘Outstanding’ ***** (FringeGuru.com). ‘It was perfect’ ***** (EdinburghGuide.com). Where are you going so early, Little Red Cap? The second play in multi award-nominated Fourth Monkey's Grimm Tales season at this year's Fringe continues with this darkly reimagined telling of the Little Red Cap story. A physical ensemble story of adolescence, rebirth and parenthood retold for a modern audience. All the better to see you with my dears.