The Twits

Having never seen a dramatisation of the Twits, but knowing of the book, I was not sure what to expect. From the moment I saw the very innovative, clever set, I knew we were in for a treat.  The whole production was very slick and extremely thoughtfully directed.

Most of the cast were costumed in black as Narrators and then added items for each character they played and this worked very well.  Mr and Mrs Twit were perfectly dressed, with Mr Twit sporting a magnificent beard. 

The simple set had just enough detail for us to know where the action was set without the need for complicated set changes.  Some jungle themed bunting strung up by the cast at the right moment and two walls of a jail folded out when appropriate was all that was needed and looked perfect.  I especially liked the house that was revealed behind two large doors towards the end of the production and the way that all of its contents were turned upside down with the help of some strong Velcro.  This company always has excellent sets and this was no exception.

Mr and Mrs Twit had many children in the audience audibly groaning in disgust as Mr Twit began eating food debris from his large bushy beard and Mrs Twit dropped her false eye into Mr Twit’s drink; their character acting and whole physicality for the parts was excellent

Both the adults and the children in this production did an excellent job.  They spoke clearly and loudly so that even the hardest of hearing would be able to catch every word.  The acrobatic skills of the children were excellent and their concentration was commendable given the amount of time they spend on stage.

The incidental music and movement created just the right atmosphere for each scene and the fun jazzy music between scenes kept the energy of the piece going and the interest of even the youngest in the audience.

I understand this was a sell-out production and it certainly deserved to be.  It was a delightful afternoon’s entertainment and the perfect introduction to the theatre for children.  Everyone around me in the audience was engaged throughout and eager to join in when invited to do so.  Many congratulations to all concerned!

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