Just Be You by Hannah Phillips Mobilise Arts and MAC Generation Q Midland Arts Centre, Cannon Hill Park, Birmingham. 11 May 2024.

3✩✩✩ Review: Joanna Jarvis.

A show that ends with most of the children from the audience happily dancing with the cast must have done something right. This party on the stage provides an uplifting end to a show about individuality, which unfortunately loses focus in parts.

‘Just Be You’ explores our uniqueness and the strength that gives us. Beginning with Gaia, goddess of the earth, sung beautifully by Rachel Jones, reminding us to take responsibility for our surroundings. Children are our future, and the earth depends on them. River, a young girl, played with joy and warmth by Ebony Clarke, understands this responsibility, but longs for the power of fairy wings to give her strength. Gaia helps her to understand that she already has this in her, she has no need for superpowers.

This is a show for all the family, advertised for ages 3 – 11. However, it is better suited for the lower end of this age range. Children enjoy joining in, interacting with the performance, and encouraging them to dress up was very successful. But such a broad spectrum is a difficult audience to satisfy, and the narrative is a little thin for the older ones. River needed more jeopardy, something for her to rise above to gather her strength. The fairies could encourage the audience to help her, allowing them to identify with her and become more involved with the story. The fairies around River are full of life and project their personalities with great strength. Moving among the audience more, they could have brought the two together.

The diverse cast worked very well as an ensemble, visually as well as vocally demonstrating the power of difference and individuality. The show ends with an optimistic outlook performed with spirit and encouragement.

Cast

Rachel Jones – Gaia

Ebony Clarke – River

Francesca Grace Hall – Joy

Chantelle Orriss – Billie

Kyra Holden – Pick

Amice Holden – Mix

Creatives

Written and directed by Hannah Phillips

Composition by Nik Haley

Musical direction by Rachel Jones