The Ugly Duckling – Tobacco Factory Theatre
\nSat 30th May 09 \u2013 1 pm
\nProduction Company\u00a0 – Traveling Light.<\/p>\n
The Ugly Ducking at the Tobacco Factory Theatre was a fabulous way to end the half term. This production was suitable from the ages of 3 and up and ever body in the audience were transfixed -adults as well.<\/p>\n
In 55 minutes we had the well-loved story of the ugly duckling told through a mixture of acting, music and puppetry.<\/p>\n
Each scene has a mixture of dance, comedy and dialogue, which made the storytelling beautiful and innovative and in some parts very funny.<\/p>\n
This production had some thing for adults as well as children while the children were laughing at the bandy legged duckling and the chase scene through the audience all the adults were entertained at the pig that kept sneezing because he had the flu and the Royston Vasey styled old lady that wanted to eat the duck. (A man wearing old ladies clothes with great big ears purposely stuck out of a head scarf was fabulous to watch!)<\/p>\n
Everything about this production was simple but very effective. There were no pyrotechnics, electronic features or costly effects.<\/p>\n
The under water scene which was fabulous was done by a mixture of blue light, a disco ball and the skill of two puppeteers to bring this frog to life.<\/p>\n
Live music, which recently in modern theatre seems to have taken a back seat was defiantly prominent at this performance. We had a variety of instruments mixing from the ukulele to slide whistles either accompanying song or representing the different animal sounds. Although basic and simple this is such a crucial way to teach young children about music and the balance was perfect.<\/p>\n
Set and props were basic and well used; one of the most beautiful and sad moments is when each actor that is a swan has pure white umbrellas and they open and close them in unison portraying the flight of the swan. The sound of the opening closing mechanism sounded as if they were actually flying and I did have a lump in my throat when the ugly duckling turning into a beautiful swan wearing his white tuxedo and flying off into the sunset with the other swans.<\/p>\n
As a parent I was especially please that there were chairs on the front row that were for the children. There was also some soft matting if the children felt like sitting on the floor but all the children opted for sitting on the chairs. I was pleased that as a parent I could sit behind my child as I haven\u2019t been able to do that on some occasions and I did have to pull my child back as she at one point stood up and prepared her self to join the dancing on stage. Again fantastic front of house staff that had their eye on the ball.<\/p>\n
Watch out for any more productions from the Traveling Light and children\u2019s theatre at the Tobacco Factory, they are a must see!<\/p>\n
This is a perfect way to introduce children to theatre. It is calm, relaxing and fantastic value for money<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
The Ugly Duckling – Tobacco Factory Theatre Sat 30th May 09 \u2013 1 pm Production Company\u00a0 – Traveling Light. The<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":16,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"colormag_page_container_layout":"default_layout","colormag_page_sidebar_layout":"default_layout","footnotes":""},"categories":[6],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-2764","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-bristol-news"],"yoast_head":"\n