• Review For Us
  • List Your Show
  • Advertising
  • Musicals
  • Plays
  • Ballet & Dance
  • Previews
  • First Look
Theatre Weekly
  • Home
  • News
  • Reviews
  • Interviews
  • Digital Theatre
  • Tickets
    • Last Minute
    • Cinema
    • Discounts
    • Musicals
    • Plays
    • Opera
    • Dance
    • Concerts
    • Attractions
  • Contact Us
No Result
View All Result
Theatre Weekly
  • Home
  • News
  • Reviews
  • Interviews
  • Digital Theatre
  • Tickets
    • Last Minute
    • Cinema
    • Discounts
    • Musicals
    • Plays
    • Opera
    • Dance
    • Concerts
    • Attractions
  • Contact Us
No Result
View All Result
Theatre Weekly
No Result
View All Result
Home Reviews

Review: Wise Children at The Old Vic

Michelle Jacobs by Michelle Jacobs
October 22, 2018
Reading Time: 3min read
Wise Children Review c. Steve Tanner

Wise Children c. Steve Tanner

Four Star Review from Theatre WeeklyThe Old Vic Theatre in Southwark, South London has a reputation as being the home of  much ground-breaking theatrical innovation in its illustrious 200 year history. Fitting then, that it is currently playing host  to Emma Rice’s unique adaptation of Angela Carter’s novel and ‘love letter to the theatre’, Wise Children.

The tale of sisters, Nora and Dora Chance from ‘the bastard (south) side of the Thames’ and their lifelong determination to follow their itinerant father, Melchior into a successful showbusiness career takes on a life of its own in the hands of Rice.  This production lifts what could have been a soapy drama into something of a circus-style spectacle which is almost more about the theatricality of the performance than the plot.  We are greeted by a stage set with the title of the play up in lights and a large caravan which revolves, and is used as a projection screen to depict the key moments in the sisters’ lives.  The cast appear more like a circus troupe than actors as the story unfolds by way of mime, music, song and dance.  Impressive puppetry skills are also on display as first the young Melchior and his twin brother Peregrine, and then the infant Nora and Dora are brought to life.  The puppets themselves are a credit to their designers; their capacity for expression displaying complex technical skills.

Mirabelle Grimaud and Bettrys Jones effectively depict the transition of Nora and Dora from childhood to young adult hood.  The arrival of puberty and sexual awakening is made graphically and wordlessly clear. Skilled direction and choreography is also in evidence as the pair are transformed into glamorous showgirls portrayed by Omari Douglas and Melissa James. Dramatic sound and lighting effects effectively evoke the wartime experience of the girls and their theatre company.  Later, the fate of their eccentric but beloved grandmother is made apparent in an arresting feat of lighting and choreography.

Although Rice’s Wise Children is most definitely a memorable visual performance, it does have an eye on its place in the world too.  Contemporary themes are evident such as  gender and race blind casting.  The adult Dora Chance is played subtly by Gareth Snook.  While this can be said to be a nod to the pantomime dame, Snook’s nuanced portrayal of the character suggests we are supposed to see the person behind the drag act.

It could be said, too, that the girls’ response to what life throws at them, chimes appropriately with the feminist overtones of the #metoo generation.

You mightalso like

Emma Rice School for Wise Children

Wise Children Announce The School For Wise Children’s Workrooms

The Flying Lovers of Vitebsk Review c. Steve Tanner

Review: The Flying Lovers of Vitebsk

The ultimate impression left by Wise Children, however is that any social commentary is secondary to its aim to be a vibrant celebration of theatre and of life itself with all its rich colours and moods.  Angela Carter’s words, ‘What a joy it is to dance and sing!’ reverberate throughout the show.  It’s a timely message for us all!

Summary
Reviewer
Michelle Jacobs
Review Date
2018-10-22
Reviewed Item
Wise Children at The Old Vic
Author Rating
41star1star1star1stargray
Michelle Jacobs

Michelle Jacobs

Michelle has always had a passion and affinity for words, drama and the arts, and has experience of script writing for BBC, commercial and hospital radio. She currently provides reviews for local theatre companies in the Chelmsford area of Essex and is developing an online presence to showcase this work and her creative writing.

Related Articles

Emma Rice School for Wise Children
News

Wise Children Announce The School For Wise Children’s Workrooms

The Flying Lovers of Vitebsk Review c. Steve Tanner
Reviews

Review: The Flying Lovers of Vitebsk

Kneehigh The Flying Lovers of Vitebsk c Steve Tanner Marc Antolin as Marc Chagall Audrey Brisson as Bella Chagall
Digital

The Flying Lovers Of Vitebsk Extends – With A Further Week On Demand

Kneehigh The Flying Lovers of Vitebsk c Steve Tanner Marc Antolin as Marc Chagall Audrey Brisson as Bella Chagall
News

Marc Antolin and Audrey Brisson Reprise Their Roles for Digital Tour of The Flying Lovers of Vitebsk

Kneehigh The Flying Lovers of Vitebsk c Steve Tanner Marc Antolin as Marc Chagall Audrey Brisson as Bella Chagall
News

Wise Children Continue To Live Broadcast With The Announcement Of A Revival Of The Flying Lovers Of Vitebsk

Cast of The National Theatre The Normal Heart
News

National Theatre Announce The Normal Heart

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

I agree to the Terms & Conditions and Privacy Policy.

Follow Us

  • Original Theatre Company and Perfectly Normal Productions present the first revival of Barnes’ People - four monologues starring Jon Culshaw, Matthew Kelly, Jemma Redgrave and Adrian Scarborough @OriginalTheatreCompany #Theatre #TheatreWeekly #LondonTheatre #adrianscarborough #barnespeople #charlottepeters #jemmaredgrave #jonculshaw #matthewkelly #peterbarnes #philipfranks
  • #Review: Avalanche from Bloom Theatre (Online) @bloomtheatre #Theatre #TheatreWeekly #LondonTheatre #alistairwilkinson #avalanche #bloomtheatre #jackalbertcook #simonfraser #sonnypoontip
  • A new online musical show for primary school children and their families, STEM Sisters focuses on historical female scientists and mathematicians whose work was so often unrecognised #Theatre #TheatreWeekly #LondonTheatre #hmdtmusic #stemsisters
  • Star of SIX – The Musical in London’s West End, Birmingham’s very own Alexia McIntosh, has launched Birmingham Hippodrome’s Digital Masterclasses @brumhippodrome #Theatre #TheatreWeekly #LondonTheatre #alexiamcintosh #applesandsnakes #birminghamhippodromesdigitalmasterclasses #robyngrant #zayliedawnwilson
  • Seven award-winning stars of the stage and screen will join the January and February 2021 line-up of The Seth Concert Series @sethrudetsky #Theatre #TheatreWeekly #LondonTheatre #ashleyspencer #christyaltomare #jeremyjordan #jessicavosk #santinofontana #sebastianarcelus #sethrudetsky #stephaniejblock #thesethconcertseries
Twitter Facebook Youtube Instagram

At Theatre Weekly we give theatre a new audience. You'll find our theatre news, theatre reviews and theatre interviews are written from an audience point of view. Our great value London theatre tickets will get you the best deal for your theatre tickets.
Theatre Weekly, Kemp House, 152 - 160 City Road, London EC1V 2NX
  • Privacy Policy
  • Cookie Policy
  • Terms and Conditions
  • Contact Us
  • Advertising

Recent News

ZU UK Presents Project Perfect Stranger and PlagueRound

ZU-UK Presents Project Perfect Stranger and PlagueRound

Maureen Lipman will star in Martin Shermans Rose c. Jay Brooks

Maureen Lipman to Perform Lost Lionel Bart and Roger Cook Musical Number at JMI’s World Tour Online

© 2020 Theatre Weekly

No Result
View All Result
  • Home
  • Tickets
  • Digital Theatre
  • News
  • Reviews
  • Interviews
  • Contact Us

© 2020 Theatre Weekly

This website uses cookies. By continuing to use this website you are giving consent to cookies being used. Visit our Cookie Policy.