The Wolves in the Walls
A children's pandemonium, is a spot-on description for this, the first production of the Scottish National Theatre's new season. The Wolves In The Walls is an adaptation of Neil Gaiman and Dave McKean's picture book of the same name. Combining singing, dancing, puppetry and live tuba, this is a cleverly staged production, with all sorts of scenery flying about the place, walls constantly spinning, opening and closing.
It's a simple story. Lucy is bored. Whilst the rest of her family have their hobbies to keep them busy, she occupies herself with drawing. Then she starts hearing noises from behind the walls of her house. Her jam-making mum, tuba-playing dad and video game playing brother all think it might be mice, rats or bats but Lucy's convinced it's wolves. As her family tell her though, if the wolves come out of the walls, then it's all over.
The cast of eight, with four principals as the family are energetic, constantly moving about the stage, so much so it's lucky they don't have an accident. The other four cast members are household fairies early on, constantly moving furniture around but unnoticed by the family and then later they puppeteer the wolves. These are exceptionally well-made and emotive puppets, so much so that you forget the puppeteers are in plain sight. They could very easily be terrifying creations but they're portrayed in such a way to keep them just the right side of horrifying.
Any problems? Only that the production is only 70 minutes. I would have loved to have seen more, but as it is, it's the perfect length for youngsters to enjoy.
The Wolves in the Walls runs from March 29 to April 8 in the Tramway, Glasgow before going on down to London and then around Scotland.
A children's pandemonium, is a spot-on description for this, the first production of the Scottish National Theatre's new season. The Wolves In The Walls is an adaptation of Neil Gaiman and Dave McKean's picture book of the same name. Combining singing, dancing, puppetry and live tuba, this is a cleverly staged production, with all sorts of scenery flying about the place, walls constantly spinning, opening and closing.
It's a simple story. Lucy is bored. Whilst the rest of her family have their hobbies to keep them busy, she occupies herself with drawing. Then she starts hearing noises from behind the walls of her house. Her jam-making mum, tuba-playing dad and video game playing brother all think it might be mice, rats or bats but Lucy's convinced it's wolves. As her family tell her though, if the wolves come out of the walls, then it's all over.
The cast of eight, with four principals as the family are energetic, constantly moving about the stage, so much so it's lucky they don't have an accident. The other four cast members are household fairies early on, constantly moving furniture around but unnoticed by the family and then later they puppeteer the wolves. These are exceptionally well-made and emotive puppets, so much so that you forget the puppeteers are in plain sight. They could very easily be terrifying creations but they're portrayed in such a way to keep them just the right side of horrifying.
Any problems? Only that the production is only 70 minutes. I would have loved to have seen more, but as it is, it's the perfect length for youngsters to enjoy.
The Wolves in the Walls runs from March 29 to April 8 in the Tramway, Glasgow before going on down to London and then around Scotland.
Author: Gareth Hacking
Manchester iJourno group
posted by iJourno at 5:57 pm
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