Primary Times - the definitive what’s on and where to go family guide of activities and events for children of primary school age. Things to do with your kids during the school holidays including arts and craft activities, music and theatre for children, parties, competitions, days out, and family attractions along with term time drama schools, dance classes, after school clubs and sports activities. Things to do at a place near you!
Grandad and Me Reader's Review
Grandad and Me
Grandad and me is a touching tale of a little girl coming to terms with the loss of her beloved Grandfather. Through a mixture of song, music and physical theatre, the show takes us on a journey of grief and the eventual acceptance of bereavement. This all sounds rather morbid and depressing, however the performance is anything but. We are invited to share the girl’s memories of the happy times she spent with grandad, from welcoming him home from sea, to planting flowers at his allotment.
The actor that plays the girl, is able to express her emotional range through dance and mime. We see her glowering with anger, dancing with joy, and sharing a tender moment with Grandad using his coat sleeve as a prop - a simple but very effective scene. The three strong cast is made up of the young girl, a musician who also provides Grandad’s voice, and a singer whose songs manage to reflect the mood and emotion of each scene. They range from haunting laments, to jolly nonsense, like the absurd rendition of the shipping forecast – a humorous touch.
The production is highly creative and the use of visuals, and imaginative props, such as bubbles floating out of a cupboard door and suitcases filled with flowers, give it a magical feel. The rocket scene is particularly memorable, and features a loud bang, lots of smoke, and a little mouse landing on the moon. A brilliant improvisation using a washing up liquid bottle and a torch! This was very appealing to children, and Daisy (7) and Luca (6) both cited this as the highlight of the show. Luca said ‘I liked the rocket and the flashing lights – it was exciting’.
The use of mime as a medium restricts the opportunity for the actors to interact with the audience. However the multisensory display of music, sound and visuals, and the energy of the performers mean that the audience can’t help but engage with this enchanting show.
Reviewed by Larissa Harris 15 August