Magic Lantern Anthology is a visually striking and inventive puppet show, but the narratives are not particularly gripping.
As suggested by the title, Magic Lantern Anthology is a collection of four stories, each written to the theme of a magical lantern, and each involving puppets. First, Future Folklore uses a projector with polarised glass to tell a story of futurism and humanity’s place within it. The visuals are beautiful, and it’s charming to watch the two puppeteers make their own sound effects, occasionally breaking out of the narrative to let us know that this technology might destroy the world. However, the story they narrate is hard to follow, and it’s difficult to feel emotionally invested in the narrative.
Following a changeover during which the audience are encouraged to talk amongst themselves, we have Cabbage and Co., a dark Sesame Street pastiche. This one was my favourite, and gets props for avoiding the usual tropes of “adult” adaptations of “children’s” media. The song that the cabbage sings at the beginning is genuinely horrifying and original.
Third is Glow Up, featuring a long caterpillar-like bug puppet and a dancing firefly. This one is fun and the puppet looks cool.
Finally, we have Cast From Heaven. This is the longest story and the one I struggled with the most. It’s visually very beautiful and inventive, particularly with the use of light. The scene of dancing under the rainbow was genuinely entrancing, as were the morning star and the sequence of catching snowflakes. The live music was a beautiful accompaniment. In fact, the music throughout the show is pretty bang on. And the nod to queer allegory did enough without being overdone.
However, I was not a fan of the low-energy style of the writing and the performance. I understand we’re creating a labyrinthine dreamlike vibe, but for me it just made the production drag. Performer Jacob Graham may be a good actor; it’s hard to tell because he’s playing deliberately flat, confused and low energy. I realise this is a stylistic choice, and maybe I just don’t get it. But I also think that if you choose to be deliberately detached from the story, it’s understandable for the audience to be detached too.
I think some people could really like Magic Lantern Anthology, but unfortunately it was not for me.
Listings and ticket information can be found here
