NICOBOBINUS LOST THEATRE, VAUXHALL DEC 14TH 2015
From Dumbwise, supported by Red Ladder
Terry Jones, former Python, now dragon, wrote his popular fairy-tale adventures of young Nicobobinus back in 1985.
Adapted by John Ward, the story has now had its onstage world premiere in London on the humble stage of the Lost Theatre (which the audience, fortunately, found).
It’s an admirable, enjoyable production with heaps of chuckles, hoots and silliness for young and old alike.
Dressed in stripy jersey and pushed into precarious, improbable situations at every turn by perky madcap, Rosie (she of the blond bunches), curly-haired Nicobobinus starts to learn he can do absolutely anything if only he tries (well, just about – eventually) as they set out from Venice in search of the Land of Dragons.
Comedy rides high in rollicking, frolicking CBeebies style as the tale unfolds, and poor Nico, his arm turned by terrible magic into heavy gold, has to fend off thieving pirates, gnawing rats, mad monks and fire-breathing dragons.
Jofre Alsina and Lloyd Gorman work particularly well as a comic duo, while things get pretty Pythonesque, courtesy of Gorman’s incarnations as saw-wielding Doctor Sebastian and the surreal Captain Loris who is, quite barmily, simultaneously awake and asleep.
The cast of five Dumbwise actor/musicians (plus, briefly, Terry Jones’ voice) pour their multi-tasking energies and dedication into every episodic twist and turn as they dance, sing, narrate, scene shift and act while grabbing up guitar, ukulele, accordion, flute, double bass and assorted saxes at every opportunity.
Simple songs help the story along nicely, though further engagement with the audience, or chances for a quick sing-along chorus are not factored in.
The simple set makes good use of a stepped Venetian bridge whose two halves are shoved about to all sorts of ends, as well as serving as a screen for projecting scenery and difficult bits of narration.
What the set lacks, though, is colour! Where are those bright, cheery colours we see on the posters and programme?
Green dragons, yes, golden lady and, yes, a couple dressed in devilish red, but the stage and majority of costumes seem determined to be dull and grey without even so much as a hint of bright, stripy Venetian pole.
We’re a bit short-changed, too, in the dragon department! Snow and white wind are nicely catered for, but alas, main dragon, Ashkanet, is but a disembodied voice, which means his great importance in the narative is almost lost. We need to see you, Ashkanet!
This stage version is full of dramatic potential. Obviously, a bigger budget would enable a more elaborate, lavish production to add more layers of slick, shiny polish. (Red Ladder lost 100% of its Arts’ Council funding in July). But already Nicobobinus is a heap of fun.
Of course, the baddies get their come-uppance and, in the end, Nicobobinus – though not quite single-handedly – wins the day.
by Eileen Caiger Gray
The show stays at Vauxhall until January 3rd, then travels to various venues through February and March, appearing at Doncaster CAST on Feb 19th.
