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The
Ultimate Steampunk Fairytale
Grandad and the Machine
Newcastle Live Theatre
Wednesday 16th September 2015
Jack
Dean delivers a classic piece of storytelling about a young girl that understands
that her Grandad knows a thing or two about machines.
It
is the day before Imogen’s eighth birthday and she has been sent home from
school. Again. Living in an era when the Great War has ended, thanks to great
machines that are now found under the seas and misogynistic attitudes come easily
in society. She is told that girls don’t
go to university or becomes engineers. Indeed, it was when a lad suggested the
limitations of girls that Imogen had to prove him wrong. That’s why she was
sent home.
Though
they live in London, her father has not lost
his Yorkshire roots. He proudly wears
his cloth cap and tells his daughter, in a dodgy accent, the rules that
Yorkshiremen go by. Do all, see all, say nowt. Eat all, drink all, pay for
nowt. He struggles with a London lifestyle in which
everything seems to have a price.
An
announcement on the radio suggests that the buried machines have risen from the
deep and are heading north to London. Father decides it is
time to head north immediately as his father will know what to do as he had
worked on the machines during the war.
The
rich story that follows is pure Jackanory for adults. Let’s face it, many
adults in that show’s 30 year run were brought up on fabulous narrative. Jack Dean’s skill is pulling together the
various elements of the story through different voices and props. His engaging
style ensured that the show drew the audience in. This was no story for
small children but it lit up the inner child. Exciting moments involving evading
capture from ticket inspectors to flying in a Zeppelin combined with the
emotions that come from a loving father daughter relationship. The puppet of
Imogen prompted a number of reactions from the audience.
The
icing on the cake is the original musical score by Jack Dean that was performed
by Josh Lucas. The multi-instrumentalist was armed with loop pedals which added
to the atmosphere. The overall effect was reminiscent of Jeff Wayne’s War of
The Worlds – another example of storytelling that is still the 39th
best selling album of all time. People love to hear a great yarn and Jack
Dean’s tale is worthy of a much bigger audience.
Grandad
and the Machine is a sublime piece of storytelling that will have you hooked
until the end. Roll on the next show from Jack Dean.
This
review was written by Stephen Oliver for the North East
Theatre Guide from Jowheretogo PR (www.jowheretogo.com).
Follow Jo on twitter @jowheretogo, Stephen @panic_c_button or like Jowheretogo
on Facebook www.facebook.com/Jowheretogo
On
The Web:
Follow
updates from Jack Dean and Grandad and the Machine on Twitter:
@mcjackdean / @littlemightyuk / #GrandadandtheMachine
@mcjackdean / @littlemightyuk / #GrandadandtheMachine
Cast
& Creatives:
Written, performed and with music by
Jack Dean
Directed by Polly Agg-Manning
Dramaturgy by Alex Chisholm
Design by Sophie Mosberger
Lighting Design by Sam-Hollis Pack
Musician / Technical Stage Manager Josh Lucas
Produced by LittleMighty
Directed by Polly Agg-Manning
Dramaturgy by Alex Chisholm
Design by Sophie Mosberger
Lighting Design by Sam-Hollis Pack
Musician / Technical Stage Manager Josh Lucas
Produced by LittleMighty
Tour:
CamdenPeople’s Theatre, London Tuesday 13th - Thursday 15th
October, 7:30pm
Jack Dean’s other events can be found here: http://www.jackdean.co.uk/Gigs.html
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