Theatre Review by Paul Vates – Book Story

Spread the love

 

at Little Angel Theatre, Islington, London

it’s all a little too ‘safe’

 

 

 

Book Story is exactly what it claims to be: a story about books, told by books. It is a tale of a librarian whose books come to life when humans are not around. They sing, fly, dance, tell jokes, have adventures and become the subject of a picture-book themselves.

 

The setting is primarily in ‘Brians Library’ – and the missing apostrophe there (or, rather, not there) is exactly what the sign said, centre-stage, looking down on the audience throughout. Not a good sign, in more ways than one…

 

 

There is an imaginative use of props and a multitude of clever library and book puns to keep the adults interested. The style and story is just good enough to keep the children focussed. Although it is a little rough around the edges at times, Book Story is original and fun, but not magical and unforgettable. There is a Kindle-type product at one point, which reads aloud. The funny voice was instantly recognised by one child as sounding like a Minion. Much unintended mirth ensued.

 

MONSTRO Theatre claim to be pioneers of the Puppet Musical, which is a bold claim. To me, this is a play with a few songs in it. There is a brilliant cast, playing all the varied characters, singing and animating all the puppets: Karina Garnett, Andrea Sadler and Phil Yarrow, showing that, overall, this is a performers’ piece.

 

 

It was written, composed and directed by Ben Glasstone, from his and Michael Fowkes original idea. Fowkes also designed and directed the excellent puppetry. The children really liked the play, but they weren’t blown away by it.

 

Book Story has a tagline which is superb when spoken in a Sean Connery voice: Learn To Love Your Shelf… It is a ‘safe’ production for children to watch and enjoy. But that is also what is holding it back: it’s all a little too ‘safe’.

Show Length: 60 minutes (no interval)

 

Audience: Aged 5+

 

Twitter: @monstrotheatre, #BookStory

 

MONSTRO’s Book Story now embarks on a UK Tour.

October:

6th        Goodrich Village Hall, Ross-on-Wye

7th        Spring Arts & Heritage Centre, Havant

8th        The Capitol Theatre, Horsham

9th        Hook Library, Kingston

11th      Central Library, Redbridge

13th      Trestle Arts Base, St Albans

14th      Old Town Hall and Arts Centre, Hemel Hempstead

16th      Tooting Library, Wandsworth

18th-21st            Take Off Festival, City Theatre, Durham

22nd     Gulbenkian, Canterbury

23rd      The Woodville, Gravesend

24th      Theatre Royal, Bury St Edmunds

26th      Norden Farm Arts Centre, Maidenhead

27th      Arts Centre, Bridport

29th      Arts Depot, North Finchley

November

4th        Astor Community Theatre, Deal