When that I was but a little tiny dot, I would sit with my grandfather and solemnly play both the Owl and the Pussycat whilst he transformed into a pig, a turkey and a runcible spoon. And a century and a half after its original publication, Edward Lear's romantic ridiculousness continues to weave its fantastical spell today: celebrating difference and silliness in equal measure.
Zany, dreamlike and intriguing
Newbury Youth Theatre brings the world of Lear to life with a wonderfully well-judged piece that eschews linear biography and leans into a zany, dreamlike atmosphere that would hardly disgrace one of his own works.
Through physical theatre, verse, puppetry and live music, the cast energetically paddles through Lear's impecunious early life, illnesses, and complicated relationships. It is a cleverly-devised and intriguing piece, which celebrates the nascent talent on display as surely as Lear's own life. There are some superb uses of dramatic flourish: costuming and props are used with imaginative flair, and tricks and techniques are deployed sensitively.
The wittiness and whimsicality of Lear's original drawings and writings is evident from start to finish with delightful little directorial touches woven throughout: the pobble's toes being a particularly chucklesome example. Some of the young performers are still honing their skills, whilst others are already strong and compelling performers; with some excellent and scene-stealing characterizations that scaffold and root the piece.
This is a nice little show which both entertains and educates in equal measure, bowling along with a charm and glee that reminds us all that beneath the flounce and fandangle of the Fringe, at its heart lies simply story after good story: absurdly, generously, and enthusiastically told.
