PLYMOUTH & TOURING

THE DRUM, THEATRE ROYAL PLYMOUTH – 26 OCTOBER

THE TIME SEEKERS – The Wardrobe Ensemble & The Wardrobe Theatre

4****

RUNNING TIME 1 hour – no interval

Theatre Royal Plymouth Box Office – 01752 267222

www.theatreroyal.com

 

REVIEW – CORMAC RICHARDS – 23 OCTOBER 2018

 

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@CORMACRICHARDS

WWW.CORMACRICHARDS.UK

 

There is great skill required in keeping the attention of children for an hour. Those arriving early to see The Time Seekers would have immediately been engaged by two of the three performers who greeted each audience member at the door and provided them with a sticker with their name on it. Inside the auditorium the third performer was engaging in some pre-show banter with the young people – coaxing some answers to questions in order to help with the show that was soon to commence.

The Time Seekers is an entertainment from the partnership of The Wardrobe Ensemble and The Wardrobe Theatre, and this adventure is aimed at 3-8 year olds and their families. Using lots of interaction with the audience, the performers take us on a trip back and forward in time to help try and find some missing parts of the Nano Clock!

With a simple set and simple costumes the performers rely on the input of the young audience to offer up ideas which are turned into songs and poems – it’s very clever. No two performances will ever be the same and the cast have to be completely on their toes. The use of simple, but exciting and fun technology as well as one moment when everyone finds a roll of bandages under their seat so they can wrap themselves up as Egyptian mummies, make for some brilliant moments.

The performers are always engaging, never condescending and often funny – though the funniest parts of the show are the responses that are given by the children. Whoever would think of a dinosaur made of custard??

Speaking to a couple of parents after the show, they were impressed by how their children’s attention did not wander – they were always involved with what was happening and the performers had pitched everything to the right age range – a real achievement in itself. In the capable hands of the 3 characters, Alph, Betty and Gammo, everyone is in safe hands!

The Time Seekers offers the whole family a hugely effective piece of funny, informative, engaging and interactive theatre.  Smashing!

 

 

CREDITS

Jesse Meadows - Betty

Jack Drewry - Gammo

Ben Vardy - Alph

 

Show – devised by the Company

Director – Helena Middleton

Designer - Nicola Holter