This is a fun packed show with all the essential ‘must haves’ – a great story, a loveable main character, an evil villain and, of course, humour. From the outset the cleverly adapted stage version of Roald Dahl’s classic Danny The Champion of The World captured the audience’s attention with its pure energy and enthusiasm.
Gareth Warren brought to life the innocent and eager Danny, discovering his dad’s poaching secrets. An obvious hit with the excited audience, Gareth provided some excellent comedy moments, delighting the children when he mimicked other eccentric characters and gave regular chicken impressions! The whole cast in fact really captured the essence of Roald Dahl’s lovable characters - Dad’s passion for poaching, an eccentric Dr. Spencer and the local village bobby, Sergeant Samways; “h-well, h-well, h-what’s going on ’ere then?”
Then, of course, no good family show can be complete without an evil villain and Mr Hazel, the local landowner, snob and bully was no exception. The number one enemy of the on stage village, he was soon hated by the audience and greeted with enthusiastic boo’s and hisses! His posh friends caused much hilarity at the shooting party – parading on stage, noses in the air, singing “rah, rah, rah,” with some great comic upper-class accents - splendid!
The scenery and props, although minimal, were highly effective and I loved the pheasants and chickens - especially as they ‘flew’ across the stage or fell from the trees - fake feathers everywhere! Also, the music, performed by the cast either on stage or in the wings (what a talented bunch!) added a great deal to the performance - highlighting the evil Mr. Hazel, adding tension and capturing the spirit of the scene in question.
Being a children’s show, audience participation was always going to be on the cards, and despite hinting at it in the first half (bringing up the house lights to talk to characters sitting in the audience) we had to wait till the second half to stamp, clap and cheer all at the same time. Although fitting in perfectly with the story line, it was a shame to keep the kids waiting so long; - they loved it, and the resulting sound, unbelievable!
A thoroughly enjoyable evening for all the family. Perhaps Danny was a little old and maybe the audience participation a little late, but overall this was a great evening, fun for all the family!
Gareth Warren brought to life the innocent and eager Danny, discovering his dad’s poaching secrets. An obvious hit with the excited audience, Gareth provided some excellent comedy moments, delighting the children when he mimicked other eccentric characters and gave regular chicken impressions! The whole cast in fact really captured the essence of Roald Dahl’s lovable characters - Dad’s passion for poaching, an eccentric Dr. Spencer and the local village bobby, Sergeant Samways; “h-well, h-well, h-what’s going on ’ere then?”
Then, of course, no good family show can be complete without an evil villain and Mr Hazel, the local landowner, snob and bully was no exception. The number one enemy of the on stage village, he was soon hated by the audience and greeted with enthusiastic boo’s and hisses! His posh friends caused much hilarity at the shooting party – parading on stage, noses in the air, singing “rah, rah, rah,” with some great comic upper-class accents - splendid!
The scenery and props, although minimal, were highly effective and I loved the pheasants and chickens - especially as they ‘flew’ across the stage or fell from the trees - fake feathers everywhere! Also, the music, performed by the cast either on stage or in the wings (what a talented bunch!) added a great deal to the performance - highlighting the evil Mr. Hazel, adding tension and capturing the spirit of the scene in question.
Being a children’s show, audience participation was always going to be on the cards, and despite hinting at it in the first half (bringing up the house lights to talk to characters sitting in the audience) we had to wait till the second half to stamp, clap and cheer all at the same time. Although fitting in perfectly with the story line, it was a shame to keep the kids waiting so long; - they loved it, and the resulting sound, unbelievable!
A thoroughly enjoyable evening for all the family. Perhaps Danny was a little old and maybe the audience participation a little late, but overall this was a great evening, fun for all the family!