Written and Directed
by Chris Thompson
Jigsaw Theatre Company
Canberra Theatre Centre Courtyard
28 September – 12 October 2013
Review by Len Power
Written and directed by Chris Thompson, the fun starts at
the door of the theatre. Audience
members actually have to go down the plughole and around a bend in the pipe,
finding themselves in a spooky subterranean world of strange, colourful lighting,
foggy shadows, funny noises and crazy adventure.
Set design by David Hope is a beauty with strange and
wonderful creatures hanging from the ceiling and oozing out of pipes. It is complemented by great sound effects by
Ian Blake and atmospheric lighting by Alister Emerson. The catchy music was composed by the always
inventive John Shortis.
Several of the characters in the show are imaginatively
designed puppets which come to life in the masterful hands and voices of actors
and puppeteers, Barb Barnett, Raoul Craemer and Caroline Simone O’Brien.
The show seemed a bit slow to get started but when Craig
Alexander appeared as Michael Francis Willoughby, his energy and pace quickly
engaged the children in the audience in the adventure.
Chris Thompson has written and directed a highly imaginative
children’s show. It is sure to appeal to
the under 10’s. Lessons to be learnt
from the adventure were put over mildly but effectively. It was a pretty enjoyable show for this big
kid, too.
Originally published in Canberra City News 28 September 2013