Trés Bon!
Hartlepool Monkey
Newcastle Northern Stage
Until Saturday 14th October
2017
Then on tour.
Written
by Carl Grose
Created by
Carl Grose, Finn Caldwell and Toby Olié
Co-directors
Finn Caldwell and Toby Oliĕ, both originally from the North East, deliver a
historic tale that resonates with the current political climate. It is a tale
which will work with theatre goers young and old.
 |
| Photo: Dan Tsantilis |
Young
Clĕmence (Rebecca Collingwood) finds herself on a French ship heading to war
with its French crew and a chimpanzee (controlled by Fred Davis). After
drifting off course, and sinking a British trawler, they found themselves being
blown out of the water by the old war hero Major Hornscrock (Rachel Sanders).
Somehow they get ashore and find themselves in Hartlepool.
 |
| Photo: Dan Tsantilis |
The North
East town is suffering as a result of the Napoleonic Wars against the French.
The town lacks money and young men. The town is run by elders such as Dr
Cottrill-Bent (James Duke) and Preacher Pike (Baker Mukasa). These leaders
feather their own nest whilst local businesses are struggling. They also get
hysterical when the strangers appear in town. The future of the visitors is in
the balance as they are taken in by pub landlord Eric (Jonathan Dryden-Taylor)
and his son Billy (John Trindle). The question is posed about who can keep
their head when all around them are losing theirs.
 |
| Photo: Dan Tsantilis |
The show
begins in song announcing that the monkey will be hanged which removed any
doubt for any youngsters who are unfamiliar with the legend. The cast also
point out that similar tales exist elsewhere in the world and there is no proof
if or how these events unfolded. This gives writer Carl Grose a free hand on
how to drive the tale forward. Clearly parallels can be drawn with the
xenophobic, jingoism and fear that has been shown in recent years. The end
product has elements of the successful tv series Horrible Histories and puppet based stage shows like War Horse or Lion King.
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| Photo: Dan Tsantilis |
The
puppetry is a major highlight of the show. Exquisite manoeuvres by the hairy
star bring the character to life. It has been really well designed and up to 3
actors are needed to manipulate it.
Samuel
Wyer’s set design is very busy. Ropes and Sails hang from above whilst the
stage has numerous barrels. The set has to be a warship one minute and a bar
the next and, with help from Matt Daw’s lighting design, it works.
 |
| Photo: Dan Tsantilis |
Whilst it
is not a musical, music by Adam Pleeth is an important feature of the piece.
Some songs are sung and some atmospheric incidental music help to make the show
very watchable.
The Hartlepool Monkey is a well acted, well
produced show that follows a curious, and rather unpleasant, episode in this
nation’s history. Aside from the facts around the monkey itself, the show
examines the hatred that can be focussed on the people of another nation during
times of war. To that end it deserves to be a success.
Review by Stephen Oliver
On The Web:
Creatives:
Written by Carl Grose
Created by Carl Grose, Finn Caldwell and Toby Olié
Directed by Finn Caldwell and Toby Olié of Gyre & Gimble
Set & Costume Design by Samuel
Wyer
Music by Adam Pleeth
Lighting Design by Matt
Daw
Sound Design by Alma Kelliher
Puppet Design by Finn Caldwell and Toby
Olié
Puppet Fabrication by Stitches and Glue LTD
Tickets:
Tuesday 10th
– Saturday 14th October 2017 - Newcastle Northern Stage, Barras Bridge, Newcastle upon Tyne, Tyne and Wear NE1 7RH
Timings: 10th, 11th 13th
(BSL) & 14th 7pm, 11th
& 14th 2pm, 12th
6pm | £30 - £10
Box Office: www.northernstage.co.uk | 0191 230 5151
Tuesday 14th –
Wednesday 15th November 2017 - Hartlepool Town Hall Theatre, Raby Rd, Hartlepool TS24 8AH
Timings: 7pm,
matinee Wed 1.30pm |
prices Standard - £13
Concession - £11
Box Office: Online: https://uk.patronbase.com/_DestinationHartlepool/Productions, Box Office 01429 890000, Tourist Information Centre, Church Square (open Tues - Fri 10am - 4.30pm, Sat 10am - 4pm)
Running Time: 1hr 20 mins (no interval) | Suitable for ages 10+
Box Office: Online: https://uk.patronbase.com/_DestinationHartlepool/Productions, Box Office 01429 890000, Tourist Information Centre, Church Square (open Tues - Fri 10am - 4.30pm, Sat 10am - 4pm)
Running Time: 1hr 20 mins (no interval) | Suitable for ages 10+
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