Review - Egg

Egg

By Angela Betzien

Presented by MTC Family

Directed by Leticia Caceres

Cast

Horse – Genevieve Morris

Photo - Jeff Busby

Clyde – Jim Russell

Puppeteer - Michelle Robin Anderson

Puppetry Director - Sam Routledge

Set and Costume Designer – Owen Phillips

Lighting Designer – Andy Turner

Composer and sound Designers – THE SWEATS

Choreographer – Andrew Hallsworth

29 June to 19 July 2016

Southbank Theatre, The Lawler

Not too light and fluffy but featuring a very charming and appealing puppet Ovo, expertly manipulated by puppeteer Michelle Robin Anderson, Egg is a mesmerizing holiday offering with strong and rich production values - but ambiguous themes. 

This Children’s show for 8 to 12 year olds feels hazy, bemusing, confusing and comfortable all at once.  However the story requires some thought to piece together and might be beyond younger children who will, never the less, be swept along with the action and songs.  Interestingly it is riddled with some unusually strong innuendo for adults.

Egg is a kind of mysterious road journey through a dimly remembered past.  The two main characters Clyde played by Jim Russell and Horse by Genevieve Morris are reminiscent of Vladimir and Estragon from Waiting for Godot.  This duo has a funny relationship that could be likened to a couple of slightly grumpy grandparents.  They have behavioral patterns they repeat tirelessly, but are not tremendously sure of anything else due to their constant use of ‘Forget-me-yes’ spray. 

Photo - Jeff Busby

What Theatre in Education writer Angela Betzien writer is trying to discuss with this work is unclear or perhaps understated and intentionally made vague and more palatable through this particular production.   

Under Leticia Caceres Direction all Creatives; Design (Owen Phillips), Light (Andy Turner) and Sound (THE SWEATS) enhance an over all muted dusty bush/outback feel.  In this dusky established background the beautiful ‘caterpillar like’ puppet character takes precedence as a bright wide-eyed engaging and fragile character that appeals to the nurturer in us all.

The opening night audience was not ideal for a kid’s show, as is often the case; it was heavily papered with industry grown-ups and contained barely more than a smattering of children.  This puts considerable pressure on the performers as they are geared up to engage with children and find themselves facing a grown up audience that seldom responds spontaneously or with the same sense of wonder as kids.

Egg offers children - engaging entertainment and something to think about - these holidays.

Suzanne Sandow

(For Stage Whispers)