This afternoon we met up with friends and went to see Swallows and Amazons, which was fantastic. As a friend who went to see it on Thursday said, it really didn't matter that Roger was 6' plus and had beard! It was so cleverly staged, very difficult to describe, but I'll give it a go. When they went on the boats, they held the mast and ribbons for the sail in place and Roger held the frame of the bow. Rowing was done on little boards on casters with pretend oars. Water was a couple of long ribbons moved about by members of the company holding them. I also really liked the way the music and instruments were incorporated, all instruments were played on stage by the cast and even became part of the scenery at times, which worked brilliantly.
There were some changes to the story, but it completely stuck to the spirit of the book and the changes didn't, as my girls would say, 'make me harumph'. M's only criticisms were that Charcoal Burners faces were too clean and that Nancy shone her torch in M's eyes on a couple of occasions. K remembers that she had some, but can't remember what they were, so agrees that they can't have been particularly important.
Afterwards we stopped for the question and answer session with some of the cast, (sadly none of the Swallows, but both Amazons and most of the other members of the cast). M had a question for Nancy, although made me ask for her: 'Why did you shine your torch in my eyes?' Nancy reassured her that it wasn't personal.
So all in all, if this is coming near you and you get the chance - Go!
No comments:
Post a Comment