Fantastic Mr Fox

Congleton Amateur Youth Theatre opened their 2019 season this week with their production of Roald Dahl’s Fantastic Mr Fox.  This short play was brilliantly received by the Congleton audience and rightly so.  Making her directorial debut, Rosie Pearce had a clear vision which came to life.  Set traditionally, with traditional costumes and set, the location was quickly established from the offset.  The audience could clearly see each of the characters from the lovely opening scene which was a warm welcome to each of the groups of animals.  We then fell into the action and the clear storyline.  The storytelling and characterisations were strong throughout and all children were very well rehearsed.  The clever set design enabled multi-use entrances and exits as well as levels.  I would’ve preferred the set to be a little more forward towards the audience but I’m being very picky here.  I loved the added music and songs within the piece which added to the overall feel and helped with scene changes.  Rosie’s vision for the show was apparent and the direction was a great debut.

The purpose-built set, it’s fair to say, was brilliant.  As I have mentioned, it gave the cast various entrances and exits as well as the use of many levels.  The clever design and painting helped establish location and aided the overall production.  Well done to the set design, build and painting team.

Costumes were lovely and cleverly designed to establish character.  I loved the added facial hair and wigs which also aided characterisation. 

Lighting was generally very good.  I suspect there may have been more that could’ve been done with the lighting design to further enhance this production but the lighting that was used, was used to good effect.  Some of the follow spots were a little slow but I doubt any of the audience would’ve noticed this. 

None of the cast had mics but each of the cast were able to be heard thanks to great projection and the addition of three stage mics that picked up the voices.  All sound cues were on time and at a good level.

Fresh from his recent win for best actor in a youth play at the District 8 awards as well as the North West regional awards, William Vickers played the leading role once again as Mr Fox.  William gave yet another very strong performance.  His characterisation and embodiment of character is second to none.  I cannot believe that someone so young can be so good at his craft!  Well done William for another impressive performance!

Mrs Fox played by Laetitia Eichinger had a lovely tone to her voice.  She was a little too laid back for me.  I would’ve preferred to see a little more panic and frantic performance, particularly when the foxes were stuck down in the hole.  Saying that, Laetitia had a lovely rapport with the younger foxes and gave a lovely motherly performance.

Mr Badger was played by Alex Wilson.  Alex gave a lovely performance as the Narrator and storyteller.  He had clear diction, articulation and projection and was very well cast.  He looked very confident on stage and I look forward to seeing him in another production. 

Mrs Badger (Olivia Wain), had a nice rapport with Mrs Badger and the young Badger.  I missed some dialogue due to articulation and projection, but I liked some of the physical attributes that Olivia brought to this character.

Boggis (James Castle) had some lovely characterisation within this piece.  I liked some of the vocal choices that he made.  His projection was excellent, and he worked very well onstage to convey character and storytelling.  I liked the rapport between the three farmers.

Bunce, played by Arran Johnstone, had a brilliant accent and good projection.  He was funny and thoroughly entertaining throughout.  I liked his rapport with the other farmers also.

Ted Bark-Jones played the role of the third farmer, Bean.  Ted was also very well cast in this role.  He was funny in this role and had a good physicality as Bean.  The three farmers worked well together and bounced off each other well.

All of the other characters were well played and well directed.  Visually, this was a lovely piece of theatre.  I’m not sure there is a clear message or moral in Roald Dahl’s tale as it teaches us to steal if we are being haunted down and oppressed.  Never-the-less, ironically, there was a sweetness about this version.  I really enjoyed the interactions between the animals.  I loved the physicality used such as the piggybacks and choreographed journeys that they took.  There are some lovely singing voices too and it was nice to hear everyone sing, which brought another layer to the overall piece.

I thank Congleton Amateur Youth Theatre for their kind hospitality and wish them all the very best for their 2019 season.

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