Charlotte's Web

It isn't often I have to admit I know nothing about a production I am invited to see, so I went along to the Carriageworks with a completely open mind about Chatlotte's Web'.

What a pleasant revelation it was!  I am always amazed how this talented group manage to produce such interesting plays and this was no exception. 

Excellently and thoughtfully directed by Dan Dainter, the story was quite fascinating - at the Zuckermans farm, a litter of piglets are born and the weakest looks destined for the butcher's block - Fern, the farmer's daughter, begs her father to keep the little pig, who she names Wilbur, as her pet. Of course, nothing goes smoothly, and Wilbur's life hangs in the balance - until he meets a kind spider, Charlotte, who hatches a plan to keep him safe. This story had every emotion contained in it - love, compassion, friendship and a whole lot more! The programme gave the cast a 'terrific' boost, and it was all true - the setting was in the American Mid-West and the sets and costumes reflected this - I was so impressed with the accents both from the young and adult cast - I could tell a lot of work had gone into authenticity and this therefore enhanced the production beautifully.

As I have always come to expect from this group, the casting was spot-on. Wilbur the piglet was played by Daisy Fowler, who performed with great feeling - there were quite a number of scenes where she had to react with no dialogue and she didn't stop acting at all - totally focused on the action. Fern, played by Lydia Bailey, was equally impressive, as was Charlotte, played with great feeling and in a brilliantly designed costume - you couldn't be scared of this spider!  The addition of a snarky rat, Templeton, played very well by Ollie Grinham, who made the most of some comic dialogue!

There were three narrators guiding us through the plot line - very assured performances with good diction (Jasper Midgley, Orphelia Routledge and Georgia Vaughan). As the action takes place on the farm we have a variety of animals, all very confident and great fun - a cheeky goose (Rosa Fishwick), the hapless Gander (Sam Hall), an interfering Sheep and Lamb (Glen Routledge and Adam Tasker). At one point in the play, Wilbur winds up at an adjoining farm - here, the Arable family (Shayne Hall, Julia Hall and Naomi Kelly) take care of him for Fern. The Zuckermans, played by Seve Morrell and Diane McHale-Fannon, gave nicely crafted performances, along with Lurvy, the farmhand, played by Lauren Viligiardi.

There were excellent performances by the rest of the cast and I hope you will forgive me listing their names - they all worked as a team. Oscar Baker, Charlotte Davis, Penny Gellard, Lea Nnando, Niamh Walker, Amelie Knight, Charlotte Routledge, Linda McHale, Ivy-Rose Dawson and Ella Cryer-Ainsworth. Well done all of you!

As I mentioned earlier, this production was the brainchild of Dan Dainter, who also designed the lovely set. It made me recall the farm set at the begining of 'The Wizard of Oz' - very authentic. Dan had worked very hard on the performances, especially the children. They all performed with great energy, confidence and clear diction.  As always, LCT manage to get the very best creatives for their productions - lighting, sound, set, props, costumes, hair & makeup and many others - and spare a thought for the legion of chaperones looking after the all the children backstage - not always given the accolades they deserve!

It always gives me great pleasure to see so many youngsters in the audience - and so well behaved!  They so enjoyed the performance - one particular group were so excited to see their teacher on stage (Glen Routledge) as the Sheep - he said they could 'baa' their names at registration the following morning!

This is exactly what theatre is all about and this particular play held the audience spell-bound - and me, for that matter!

My sincere congratulations to you all!

 

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