LAUGHS, SONGS AND MAGIC BRING THE BARD TO LIFE

Review - Shakespeare 4 Kidz THE TEMPEST, CHARTER THEATRE, PRESTON

Shakespeare 4 Kidz has done it again. Its production of The Tempest hits all the right notes.
The company has faithfully transformed Shakespeare's famous tale about the Duke of Milan into a child-friendly musical production, which succeeds in holding the attention of youngsters and parents alike.

The adaptation - the company's fifth by Julian Chenery and Matt Gimblett - produced plenty of laughs and contained all of the play's most famous speeches.

But the real triumph lies in the musical numbers.

The songs were lively informative and a real aide to understanding. They kept everyone's interest and often raised laughs.

Jason Lee Scott put in a commanding and powerful performance as Prospero, Duke of Milan.

His singing was a cut above the rest and hid presence on stage captivating.

Ali James was simply divine as spirit Ariel, bringing a real sense of magic which the younger members of the audience loved.

Paul Parris was as wonderful as Caliban. The only downside was that some of the actors did not look overly comfortable with some of the dances, some of which did not fit overly well with the story.

These minor points aside this was just the standard of performance expected from Shakespeare 4 Kidz.
 
Laura Kennerley
28th September 2004