This production is a kaleidoscope of
theatrical forms. It is part bawdy comedy, part musical, part
physical theatre, part fairy story and pantomime. Sounds messy but
the whole thing works. The play is written and co-directed by
Richard Fredman. It draws upon the influence of the obscene comedy,
Gargantua, written by Francois Rabelais, the 16th century
French monk.
The play opens up quietly enough in a
monastery when the Father Abbot discovers that Rabelais is writing a
book – an activity that monks of that time should not be doing.
The book is about a giant called Gargantua.
From this point on the lively and
exaggerated scenes take over as we follow Gargantua’s life story
from birth through school to a big battle scene involving
Gargantua’s rival giant. The highlights are really how well the
group of ten players individually perform and collectively combine
in these scenes. There are even understandable jokes in Latin and
skilfully choreographed fight scenes.
Despite the implausible and confusing plot,
it is enormous fun, but only on for one week.
****
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