Running Wild; play adaptation at Theatre Royal, Norwich

Hello theatre fans. I’ve been on my theatrical duties again last night when I went to the Norwich Theatre Royal to see the touring production of Running Wild, a fantastic play based on the children’s book by Michael Morpurgo. I went to see the show with a fairly new friend to my life, Miss Harriet Darby. Although we were almost late (I made the joke of running wild and late on Twitter – HAHA!) due to leaving work later than usual we had a quick microwave tea at mine before driving into Norwich. I have to say we had a few fits of giggles but why not. Thanks Harriet for joining me last night, I hope it will not be the last. Running Wild, for those of you that do not know and want a spoiler, here we go – SPOILER ALERT – Running Wild is about a young girl named Lilly who loses her father in the war and mother in a tsunami after they visit her homeland of Indonesia (I think there may have been some modern tweaks from the book, I have not, unfortunately, read it). Lilly is saved by Oona, a wild elephant kept captive (I guess the Indonesian equivalent of a Skegness donkey). Lilly soon realises she is wild now and has to face some trials and tribulations while ‘Running Wild’, luckily she has Oona to keep her safe. They soon run into trouble when poachers are out to get the orangutans and take Lilly too. All the while Lilly’s grandmother is searching for her and I will leave it there I think. Who knows how it will end …

I had no idea what to expect before arriving at the theatre tonight to see this production presented by the Children’s Touring Partnership. I have to say I was blown away by the wild antics that took place on that stage. The star of the night for me was Oona, a massive life-like sized elephant operated by four amazing and talented puppeteers; Elisa de Grey (on trunk), James Charlton (on head), Michael Peters (on heart) and Wela Mbusi (on hind). These four were fantastic and created what looked like a real elephant on stage; it was truly magical. Who knew a grown man could sound like an elephant also. Lilly was played by Annika Whiston last night; a very enthusiastic talented young lady who I am sure will be ploughed with jobs in her future. She was amazing on stage and at the age of 12, well extremely professional. Oona is not the only animal I mean puppet on stage. There are plenty of orangutans jumping and swinging all over the stage, plus a scary tiger, a snapping crocodile and a few glittery fish (I am now quoting Harriet, “I loved the fish”). This was all so beautiful to watch on stage and bringing the Indonesian rainforest to Norwich couldn’t have been an easy feat I tell thee. Not only are these puppeteers controlling and bringing these wild animals to life they are making them call out to the audience and interact with each other and Lilly; it honestly was lovely to see.

 

Samuel Adamson has adapted Morpurgo’s book and boy has he done an amazing job. Originally starting at the Chichester Festival Theatre (of course; most of what comes from there is a smash), Running Wild is a wonderful experience for all ages. I was originally thinking this would be aimed at children but I actually found the adults more than the children were blown away by this stunning production and ooooohing and arrrrring away. I spoke to some of the theatre staff during the interval and discussed how emotional the show was and I was on the end of my seat at some points, biting at my fingers as not knowing what was to come next. We said how some all human acting (I basically mean no puppets) productions cannot create this tension and emotion on stage; yet the talented production team off stage and the on stage company are able to bring this book to life and fill the audience with a whole host of emotions within a short space of time.

Directed by Timothy Sheader and Dale Rooks; Finn Caldwell and Toby Olie are puppetry designers and directors. Caldwell and Olie should be award nominated and winners if they aren’t already. It is absolutely incredible how they have brought these animals to life (I have seen a War Horse and Little Mermaid credit in the programme so that says it all I guess). Paul Wills’ set is incredible. Initially I thought what all this rubbish is (literally); but obviously the tsunami explains it all once it has tour the stage apart. All this rubbish and destruction (a good thing) also creates the wild rainforest which is an excellent transition. All of this is helped by James Whitside creative lighting design. And I know you musical fans are getting worried there is some singing and chanting and bits a musical theatre fan would like, just a bit sparse. The only thing to make this production better in mine and Harriet’s point of view would be more singing. I have to mention Georgina Lamb who is movement director but as I said in the interval with some people it was more like choreography how the animals, sorry puppets, move on stage and they are so individual to each animal, sorry puppet, really capturing how they would be in the wild.

Running Wild is definitely something I would love to see again and there are chances all this week for you to see it at the NorwichTheatre Royal with 2:30 matinees today and Saturday and evening performances at 7:30; please note on Thursday there is only one performance at 11am. Tickets are very limited so get yours now. I have to say I think my little niece would love it and also my grandmother; this is definitely a family show and everyone who goes, I am sure, will find something they absolutely love about the show whether it be Oona the elephant, Mani the monkey or the fish like Harriet. After Norwich, Running Wild is travelling to various places including: Edinburgh, Newcastle, Plymouth, Northampton, Canterbury and Wolverhampton. I know it has been to a few places before Norwich and I hope it goes somewhere near you soon and if it isn’t or hasn’t already maybe this tour will tour again. Please get in touch and let me know if you like the book, have seen the stage show or just like puppets. You can find me on Twitter @AaronBurgess89. See you next week for Sister Act starring Alexandra Burke – so excited!!!

Sunny Afternoon UK Tour

It’s been a while since I popped over to the Norwich TheatreRoyal but I went last night to see Sunny Afternoon with the boyfriend Ben, the hit musical based on the music of The Kinks. I first saw this show in July 2015 just after it had one Best New Musical at the 2015 Olivier Awards. By the way theatre fans, congratulations to all those winners at this year’s ceremony. I have not had a chance to watch it yet but have heard about Amber Riley’s performance and well done to Tim Minchin for Best New Musical, Groundhog Day (I hope this returns to the West End). Sunny Afternoon survived two and a half years in the West End at the Harold Pinter Theatre. It tells the tale of the rise of one of the biggest groups in the 1960’s, The Kinks. You have to be a fan of The Kinks music to enjoy the show I would believe. Poor Ben, not being a 1960’s rock and roll fan was a bit confused; and be prepared for some political jokes (we didn’t have a clue about them either). I have to admit the touring production is not as good as the West End production. I am not sure why this is; it just didn’t have the same feel to it as the London production. Sunny Afternoon won four Olivier’s in 2015 and the current tour is due to close next month in Plymouth.

Joe Penhall writes the book for Sunny Afternoon with the obvious music and lyrics by the lead of The Kinks, Ray Davies. The Kinks classics are all there to be enjoyed by the audience. I love some of the songs and by the end I would say 80% of the audience were up dancing and the whole cast received their standing ovation. Lola, You really got me, Waterloo sunset, Tired of waiting, Maximum consumption and of course the title song all feature within the musical as well as all the other hits. Directed by Edward Hall; Miriam Buether designs the set which is very similar to the West End production with the green records forming the backdrop to the first act. I was pleased that the touring production has kept the staging that comes out into the audience so that was pleasing. The costumes were adequate and I loved the fact Dave was found wearing dresses twice; we all know I like a man stuck in a dress for entertainment value. We were both confused about the people on stage who were coming on to give out guitars; I wasn’t sure if this was to make the stage feel like they were performing at a gig or just to help the actors. Adam Cooper choreographs Sunny Afternoon and, although not the best I have seen, was good enough for the show; slightly cheesy in parts which didn’t feel very Kinky. Rick Fisher sorts out the lighting for the touring production and trust me there are a lot of lights to sort out as the top of the set is pretty much covered in the things.

Ryan O’Donnell has re-joined Sunny Afternoon, this time in a different capacity. O’Donnell heads up the cast as Ray Davies; previously playing alternate Ray and understudy for Dave Davies. I saw O’Donnell in the role of Dave in 2015. I absolutely loved him in this role and remember saying he would play a great Ray Davies. Well he is now full time on the tour. He plays the role really well although looking back I prefer him in the role of Dave. Mark Newnham plays the role of Dave and he was Ben’s favourite of the show. I thought he was great too and plus he looks fetching in a cocktail dress. His hair piece was very strange though and at one point thought he looked more like Natalie Cassidy than Dave Davies. Both these two have great voices and were enjoyable to watch. I loved Lisa Wright to plays Rasa; Ray’s wife. Although not in the show a lot she had such a soft and angelic voice I loved it when she sang. All other members of the cast seem to have a really good time and I am sure they have loved being on this tour.

Sunny Afternoon is at the Norwich Theatre Royal until Saturday 15^th April 2017. Although the production is not as good as the West End show it is worth watching if you are a fan of The Kinks, obviously. I was dancing and singing along and Act two is definitely better than Act one. The finale will get you up and dancing out of your seats and the cast received a standing ovation – which is a great sign right! I thought I preferred Sunny Afternoon to The Commitments but on tour The Commitments gets it, sorry Sunny. Saying that, I think if you went along you would enjoy yourselves. Sunny Afternoon has limited tickets for all performances this week with evening performances from 7:30 and three matinees (Today, Thursday and Saturday) at 2:30pm. After Norwich, Sunny Afternoon goes to Wolverhampton, Belfast and then Plymouth before the tour comes to its end. Kinks fans should get their tickets now if they haven’t already. It is a busy few months coming up at the Norwich Theatre Royal so I will speak to you all very very soon. Please get in touch at my blog or on Twitter @AaronBurgess89.