Wise Children

4
Seen at the Bristol Old Vic.
By Paula - 26th Jan 2019

Wise Children is an imaginative and sassy production which promises scandal, sex and Shakespearian illusion – and certainly deliver on all levels.

Set in 1980s, this adaptation of Angela Carter’s final book recounts the life story of Dora and Nora Chance – twins in their 70s – as showgirls and performers in music halls of 1930s London. Abandoned by their father, thespian Melchior Hazard, they are raised by their Grandmother (Katy Owen) who delivers a masterful comic performance.

An absorbing sense of narrative is sustained by the almost constant onstage presence of Nora (Etta Murfitt) and Dora (Gareth Snook) as they relate their life stories; casting shadows across the storyline of their lives in Brixton and on the London stage.

The cast take on the challenge of playing each life stage of the twins with admirable ease; in the blink of an eye, characters change sex, colour and age. Omari Douglas, as showgirl Nora delivers a sensuous and sinewy characterisation, while Mirabelle Gremaud’s contortions and circus acrobatics add a witty twist to the Young Nora.

Bawdy humour and gender swapping add to the carnival atmosphere of theatrical life. Vicki Mortimer's set design reveals the mechanics of staging and is a fitting setting for this talented cast.

Wise Children is a colourful, almost surreal production which celebrates the greasepaint and razzle-dazzle of theatre life, without shying away from the Carter’s themes of illegitimacy, incest and sexual abuse.

Not one for children – but certainly an experience.

Paula Luke


Latest News & Reviews

28th Mar 24 :: Review: The Wizard of Oz
Touring production seen at the Theatre Royal Plymouth.
4
27th Mar 24 :: Critics Circle Awards
The winners of this year's Critics' Circle Theatre Awards have been announced.
22nd Mar 24 :: Review: The Motive and the Cue
Live broadcast seen at the Regal Cinema, Wadebridge.
5
12th Mar 24 :: Review: Macbeth
English Touring Theatre (ETT) production seen in Worthing,
3
7th Mar 24 :: Review: The Life of Pi
Touring production seen at the Theatre Royal Plymouth
5
6th Mar 24 :: Review: And Then There Were None
Touring production seen at the Theatre Royal Plymouth.
2
5th Mar 24 :: Review: Musclebound
Seen at The Front Room, Weston-super-Mare
3
2nd Mar 24 :: Review: Marry Me A Little
Seen at The Stage Door Theatre, Drury Lane
2
28th Feb 24 :: Review: Cable Street
Seen at the Southwark Playhouse, Borough.
3
28th Feb 24 :: Review: Carlos Acosta - On Before
Seen at the Theatre Royal Plymouth
4
26th Feb 24 :: Offies Winners 2024
WInners of the Offies 2024 awards have been announced.
15th Feb 24 :: Review: The Drifters Girl
Touring production seen at the Theatre Royal Plymouth.
4
12th Feb 24 :: Review: Whatsonstage Awards Winners
The winners of the Whatsonstage Awards announced.
0
6th Feb 24 :: Review: Jeffrey Bernard is Unwell
Selected dates until 26 February at the Coach and Horses, 29 Greek Street, London W1D 5DH
4
5th Feb 24 :: Review: Macbeth
David Tennant and Cush Jumbo at the Donmar Warehouse
4
20th Jan 24 :: Review: Disney's Aladdin
Touring production seen at the Theatre Royal Plymouth.
4
19th Jan 24 :: Review: Alegria - Cirque du Soleil
The latest production seen at the Royal Albert Hall
3
20th Dec 23 :: Review: Goldilocks and the Three Bears
Pantomime seen at the Theatre Royal Plymouth
4
18th Dec 23 :: Review: Sleeping Beauty
Panto at the Pavilion Theatre, Worthing.
4
13th Dec 23 :: Review: A Christmas Carol
Guy Masterson's one-man production seen in Boscastle
5

Most Popular Stories

Viewings over the last 10 days
 
Birmingham Royal Ballet - Black Sabbath
Touring production seen at the Theatre Royal Plymouth.
Posted 13th Oct 23 :: 146 views
And Then There Were None
Touring production seen at the Theatre Royal Plymouth.
Posted 6th Mar 24 :: 108 views
The Life of Pi
Touring production seen at the Theatre Royal Plymouth
Posted 7th Mar 24 :: 102 views
The Motive and the Cue
Live broadcast seen at the Regal Cinema, Wadebridge.
Posted 22nd Mar 24 :: 97 views
Cable Street
Seen at the Southwark Playhouse, Borough.
Posted 28th Feb 24 :: 95 views
The Drifters Girl
Touring production seen at the Theatre Royal Plymouth.
Posted 15th Feb 24 :: 94 views
Musclebound
Seen at The Front Room, Weston-super-Mare
Posted 5th Mar 24 :: 91 views
Macbeth
English Touring Theatre (ETT) production seen in Worthing,
Posted 12th Mar 24 :: 83 views
Carlos Acosta - On Before
Seen at the Theatre Royal Plymouth
Posted 28th Feb 24 :: 69 views
Marry Me A Little
Seen at The Stage Door Theatre, Drury Lane
Posted 2nd Mar 24 :: 63 views


Listings powered by Dynamic Listing Ltd
Mastodon X - Twitter Multidomain certificate installed
© Dynamic Listing Ltd, UK. 1995-2024