4star
Deafinitely Theatre and The Pied Piper Theatre Company’s latest offering, Can Bears Ski? is an adaptation of the celebrated children’s book by award winning poet, Raymond Antrobus and is currently on tour across the country. It is a charming and insightful production that resonates deeply with its intended audience.
From the outset, the actors bring a playful and energetic spirit to the stage, which is key for a show aimed at a diverse and younger audience. They bring clarity not only in speech but also through their expressive body language, ensuring the story is told in a way that is inclusive and engaging for all.
Almost all of the dialogue is also signed, this approach not only makes the play accessible for deaf audience members but also educates and involves those who are hearing, creating a shared experience for all.
The audience, notably the children, were visibly delighted and captivated by the warm humour of the piece, with a particular nod to Dad Bear (Stefan Stuart) who gets consistent laughs throughout. The use of puppetry and creative ensemble moments, such as jumping in the snow and watching trees go by while driving in the car, were particularly enchanting. This is a creative ensemble, clearly well drilled in its movements.
The story, following a young bear’s journey to understand their deafness and then navigate the world with hearing aids, meetings with medical professionals who have unpronounceable job titles and the engagement with all the medical paraphernalia that goes along with it strikes a chord with both deaf and hearing audience members alike. It’s a tale of discovery, communication, and understanding one’s needs in a world now full of new sounds, where there was so little before.
The set design captures the essence of original book illustrator, Polly Dunbar, emulating her clean and nostalgic style. Designer Catherine Chapman creates a visually engaging world that perfectly complements the story’s themes and characters, while remaining true to the aesthetic of the original.
Accompanying the visuals is the jaunty, upbeat soundtrack, reminiscent of the Cbeebies style many of us parents are used to, keeping the play moving along at a delightful pace. The sound design is thoughtful and enhances the narrative without overpowering it, ensuring that the auditory elements complement the visual storytelling.
Overall, Can Bears Ski? is a well-executed piece of theatre that is as informative and insightful as it is entertaining.
Can Bears Ski? is on tour until 25th February, listings can be found here.
