Arabian Nights
17/08/2010
Sights, sounds and scents of exotic East @ The Storytelling Centre, Edinburgh
Arabian NightsThe Storytelling Centre, Edinburgh
You walk into the theatre and are automatically hit with a strong smell of incense which conjures images of a busy Arabian market. The storyteller, exotically dressed and sitting in front of a simple yet effective set, taps a drum to a slow rhythmic beat, encouraging the children to take a turn, also adds spice to the atmosphere and transports you to a magical Middle East of myth and legend.
Andy Lawrence is the narrator and puppeteer bringing to life three tales demonstrating a tryptic of moral messages – The Dream, The Fool and His Donkey and The Fisherman and the Genie.
He describes these as “lost tales” and there is perhaps a reason for this. They are not strong storylines, but Lawrence impresses in other ways especially with his use of multi-sensual theatrics, which compensate for the relatively substandard tales.
The many puppets used throughout the performance, including a flexible belly dancer, grumpy old lady and scruffy donkey were all hand-crafted by Lawrence and they are beautiful creations, but to a child – and even some adults – they can appear rather scary, especially when left lifeless.
One man, a simple set, three stories with life affirming messages and beautifully crafted puppets all add up to an entrancing 60 minutes.
Beth Eckersley
You walk into the theatre and are automatically hit with a strong smell of incense which conjures images of a busy Arabian market. The storyteller, exotically dressed and sitting in front of a simple yet effective set, taps a drum to a slow rhythmic beat, encouraging the children to take a turn, also adds spice to the atmosphere and transports you to a magical Middle East of myth and legend.
Andy Lawrence is the narrator and puppeteer bringing to life three tales demonstrating a tryptic of moral messages – The Dream, The Fool and His Donkey and The Fisherman and the Genie.
He describes these as “lost tales” and there is perhaps a reason for this. They are not strong storylines, but Lawrence impresses in other ways especially with his use of multi-sensual theatrics, which compensate for the relatively substandard tales.
The many puppets used throughout the performance, including a flexible belly dancer, grumpy old lady and scruffy donkey were all hand-crafted by Lawrence and they are beautiful creations, but to a child – and even some adults – they can appear rather scary, especially when left lifeless.
One man, a simple set, three stories with life affirming messages and beautifully crafted puppets all add up to an entrancing 60 minutes.
Beth Eckersley
No comments:
Post a Comment