Striking a happy balance

DAFT, absurd, even quite farcical, and yet somewhat dark when least expected ensure this collection of ‘fairy tales’ is absorbingly entertaining.

The stories, from the pen of the renowned Hans Christian Andersen, are for all - for the not-too-young right though to the not-so-young as they lead from the right and bright aspects of the world to the grotesque social injustices and those emotions affecting many who are suffering. Tortured souls with little hope, hardly any means of visible help and support.

The Little Matchgirl is itself an extremely sad story even though matches struck bring light relief to the poor child’s cold and miserable existence. Only once spent, like her, they are gone forever!

The tales conjured up by the matches and Ole Shuteye, the storyteller, are not exactly a bundle of fun either.

‘Happier tales?’… not quite, but The Princess and the Pea goes some way to redressing the balance while taking the fun gauge up to maximum is The Emperor’s Clothes. Great fun as it rattled across the finishing line.

The tale of tiny Thumbelina is a melting pot of many facets of life through the ages and certainly relevant to today as Thumbelina finds herself having lost her family due to a rebel bomb, no home, kidnapped and a victim of domestic abuse from a miserable mole.

Quite dark, disturbing but always offering the chance of rescue and redemption. Are these really fairy tales?

Much of it though is knockabout fun - diving and delving into pantomime, high farce and without doubt offering a magical blend of fantasy, music and puppetry, but always ready to bubble to the surface was the darker side of life.

Glimpses of possible child abduction, street robbery, the plight of the homeless, the extravagant lifestyles of the privileged all become encapsulated into the proceedings.

There’s quality folk style music and song from a talented band (John Gingell, Alex Heane and Dave Johnzy), with guitars, banjos and a double bass excellently setting the mood of the moment, while expressive dancers Kazrena James and Katy Owen impressed.

Offsetting the malevolent air is the production’s great humour and repartee led by the splendid delivery of Niall Ashdown, and all washed down with lively audience participation along with choreography that was both ingenious and amusing which raised the evening's entertainment value.

Ashdown is at his best as the vain emperor left in the 'altogether' after he has been totally scammed by two dodgy designers. A comedy highlight which had the audience in fits of giggles and not quite believing what they could see!

A Bristol Old Vic and Shakespeare’s Globe joint production it all gels well under the guidance of critically acclaimed producer Emma Rice.

Altogether a most unusual theatrical experience which heads out of the comfort of the regular regime and provides a different yet bewitching evening.

Old tales but with a script that is very much up to date with mentions of Manchester United, Aston Villa and Brexit ensure it is a colourful, thoroughly enjoyable evening and warmly recommended.