A tale set in 1010, based on the true story of Eilmer, the Malmesbury monk who tried to fly, isn’t going to be to everyone’s tastes, but full marks for creativity.
With a limited costume budget and not much happening in terms of set design either, the Soop Productions team are like a pack of Dickensian orphans with only their imagination and cunning to keep us entertained.
Fortunately this is where they flourish. Using impressive sound effects created by their own voices and portraying a wide variety of settings, from a Viking boat in swirling seas to a prison cell, the way the actors use minimal props and their bodies to create innovative and convincing scenery is admirable.
The tone of the play fluctuates wildly, however, and it comes as no surprise to read in the programme notes that the show began life in a workshop and has since been “devised and honed” by a dozen actors.
Consequently it veers from comedy to tragedy and contemporary language to archaic with dizzying speed, creating an exasperating onslaught of confusion.
In amongst the chaos, Lucy Frederick stands out as an amusing Queen Emma, displaying great comic timing and composure. Peter Henderson is also a class act in his variety of roles.
The rest of the cast are talented and versatile, but their collective strength is severely weakened by the quality of the material.
Production information can change over the run of the show.
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