This colourful show is the first production of Mervyn Peake’s only children’s play since a 1980s radio version. Given the environmental undertones, elegant scripting and nine sparky roles for actors, it’s hard to see why it hasn’t been revived more often.
The strong ensemble includes Emily Wallis. She is a delight as the wide-eyed innocent boy who falls asleep clutching a toy ark before going back in time to become right hand man to Mr Noah, played with eccentric gravitas by guitar-playing Lawrence O’Connor.
Claire Sharpe’s clucking Mrs Hen is wonderful fun and her harp playing adds an unusual strand to the texture. Barry McStay, like Sharpe a 2011 drama school graduate, is excellent both as a randy cock and as a vain, cowardly lion - shades of Oz. And flute-playing Ceridwen Smith gives us a convincing slavering hyena.
The many other things which stand out in this fine piece of theatre are James Boston’s folksy music, Mike Lees’ rainbows, Gareth Murphy’s purple-headed goat and Heather Johnson’s fine singing.
Production information can change over the run of the show.
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