The Elves and the Shoemaker

Scottish Storytelling Centre

Children's Shows Reviewed by Brian G Cooper
This show starts while the audience enters, as master cobbler Elvis Schumacker the Third, with comic panache, measures everyone's feet (to toddlers' squeals of delight) and gets toes a-wiggling. On Debbie Whiteside's colourfully detailed shoeshop set, puppeteer and shoemaker-storyteller Andy Lawrence conjures the lovable cast – Cornelius, his cheeky, cheese-obsessed mouse; Torquilla Mockingbird, his bossy clock cuckoo; Glensip and Snufflepacket, the ever-industrious, fashion-conscious Elves - and his grandad, Elvis Schumacker the First.
When grandad Schumacker falls on hard times because nasty businessman Bunyan Sole-less mass-produced cheap shoes in his smelly factory (an ingenious clanking machine), the elves rallied round with beautiful magic footwear for surprise customers. Peg-leg Pirate celebrates his single blue boot with a shanty and nautical jig, while Spanish Lady serenades grandad with flamenco for her stylish red footwear. Bunyan Sole-less meets his doom, whereupon the elves spring a surprise fashion-show as fitting climax to this rollicking tale inspired by the Ladybird book and adapted from the Grimm original.
Theatre of Widdershins triumphs again as Andy Lawrence brings his ever-appealing puppets to life with vivacity, enchantment and enthralling narrative, set to Martin Thornton's catchy Elvis to Elves tunes, creating memorable magical delight for youngsters and parents alike.

Published online
Review by
Brian G Cooper
Produced by
Theatre of Widdershins
Running until
Running time
50 minutes
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