There’s Nothing Quite Like Spaghetti Bolognese!
★★★★☆ Tasty
theSpace on the Mile (Venue 39): Sat 6 – Fri 26 Aug 2022 (even dates)
Review by Hugh Simpson
There’s Nothing Quite Like Spaghetti Bolognese! from New Celts and Paper Plate Productions at theSpace on the Mile is a beautifully considered children’s show.
Based on a story by director Ian Dunn, and adapted by Dunn and performers Chloe Din and Dominic Myers, this is a gentle, enthusiastically presented tale of a talking plate of spaghetti bolognese.
Dominic Myers and Chloe Din. Pic Paper Plate Productions
Although there are some useful points about friendship, standing up for yourself and how to treat others, the emphasis is squarely on enjoyment, with opportunities for audience interaction cleverly judged and distinctly lacking in pressure.
Although he has other, smaller roles, Myers’s star turn is undoubtedly as the talking, singing pasta – a part he fulfils with huge energy and just the right level of deliberately annoying self-absorption. There is a real glee to his performance that transmits readily to the audience.
Don’s performance meanwhile, as Penny – inadvertent creator of the talking spaghetti – is cleverly pitched just down a notch from that of Myers. This, together with her enthusiasm and openness, makes her connection with the audience all the stronger.
Dunn’s direction is pitch perfect, making good use of the performers and the space.
Told largely in rhyme, with some well chosen songs, this can be enjoyed by children from about 3 upwards, but there are also some moments that will appeal to much older audience members (including a couple of toilet jokes to keep the adults happy).
Dominic Myers and Chloe Din. Pic Paper Plate Productions
One of the ways a production’s strength can be assessed is how the performers react to a smaller audience. On this occasion, although it was far from empty, there were only just enough children in the audience to provide different opportunities for interaction.
This seemed no problem to Din and Myers, who involved all of the youngsters present without ever making them feel uncomfortable.
The show undoubtedly deserves to have bigger audiences, however. If you are looking for a breezy, beautifully acted show that is ideal for youngsters’ first experience of theatre, this could easily be the one for you.
Running time 30 minutes (no interval)
theSpace on the Mile (Space 3), 80 High St, EH1 1TH (Venue 39)
Saturday 6 – Friday 26 August 2022 (even dates only)
Even dates only at 11.15 am
Information and tickets: Book here.
Company website: https://paperplateprod.wixsite.com/website
Instagram: @paperplateprod
Facebook: @PaperPlateProductions
Chloe Din and Dominic Myers. Pic Paper Plate Productions
ENDS
