Grimm Tales

This week, I delightfully returned to see another performance from Kingsley Players Youth Theatre with their production of Grimm Tales.  NODA award winning director Jake Powell is back at the reigns for this production, which was set outdoors in the woods of Kingsley Community Primary School.  The setting was great and enhanced all three short plays as each play took place in ‘the woods.  The setting and style for this piece was brilliant and the audience were treated to a variety of theatre and drama concepts such as choral singing/speaking, narration (akin to theatre in the round) etc.  Before the play even started, we were treated to an immersive experience with the walk from the school, following the white pebble stones, through the woods and visiting each of the immersive stations, such as the selfie/story wall and counting the frog princes (all of which linked to the three plays).  Jake Powell really helped create a great overall feel with this concept which really enhanced the whole experience.  The setting was great with having the audience sit on picnic tables under the tarpaulin.  It felt like we were in a purpose-built outdoor theatre.  Performing a play outdoors doesn’t come without its problems, however.  The road behind was a little busy and some of the actors needed to project a little more but overall, this was a great theatrical experience.  I loved the use of repetition between plays and the way the young cast changed scenes and moved the various props and furniture.  The use of the young actor playing the ukulele was fantastic and added another layer to his production.  Well done to Jake for another great production!

I know from speaking with some of the production crew that there were various issues with rehearsals with cast being on holiday, unavailability, and last-minute casting changes etc so to put on a production at all is no mean feat.  The young cast were great.  You could tell that they were loving what they were doing, and it made us feel even more comfortable with them as they took on multi-roles for each play. 

Jake Blower played the roles of the Frog and the Prince.  Jake looked like he was having a lot of fun on stage and is one to watch for the future.  I personally would’ve loved a little more projection and articulation but seeing him smile was fab!

Iona Anstice played four roles throughout and was brilliant to watch.  He projection was particularly excellent - I could hear every word!  She was suitably funny as Rapunzel and took brave choices with her parts.  Iona was one of the stand-out performances for me with her great storytelling – well done!

Jonah Burge was well cast as Hansel and Rapunzel’s son.  He too looked like he was having fun and enjoying himself and I’m sure with more experience under his belt he will be a future thesp in subsequent productions.  At only 8 years old he is one to watch for the future!

Emilia Portis was very striking as Rapunzel’s daughter and Gretel.  At only nine years old she commanded the space and delivered her lines very well.  I too think that she will be one to watch out for in the future!  Well done, Emilia!

James Ferguson played the roles of the Prince, King and Woodcutter.  I loved his dry gangster version of the Prince.  James delivered his lines with wit and good comic timing.  I would’ve loved to have seen him go even further and take more risks as he was funny, but he was entertaining, nevertheless.  I would’ve loved to have seen a little more diversity between characters in the use of voice/body and a little more projection was needed at times but overall, James was a good cast member.

Kate Burge was another of the standout performances for me.  Her acting as each of her characters was great as was her storytelling and projection.  I loved her characterisation as the Witch in Hansel and Gretel, and I always felt comfortable watching Kate as I knew the play was in safe hands in her scenes.  Well done Kate on another great performance.

NODA award winner Ben Mather-Dodd was a last-minute step in to play the part of the Husband in Rapunzel.  Like, Kate, I always feel very comfortable watching Ben as he was a great actor and has a great natural instinct for the text.  Ben was brilliant at playing the ukulele for the scene changes, and travelling scenes, which were sympathetic to the scene, yet added another layer to each piece.

Overall, this was a very sweet production.  Even though it was a little short, it gave each actor an opportunity to shine in the spotlight and was a great showcase for future talent.  As a whole theatre experience, I really appreciated the immersive concept and atmosphere, and the setting was brilliant and added to each of the plays.  The storytelling from everyone was great and I could tell that the actors were well rehearsed and were enjoying themselves very much.

Well done, once again to Jake Powell and Kingsley Players Youth Theatre.  I thank you for your kind hospitality and am very much looking forward to coming back in October to see your production of Alan Ayckbourn’s How The Other Half Loves!

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