Iaggi Boddari - The Story Bundle

Published Monday 14 February 2005 at 17:55 by Irja Uusitalo

The Story Bundle does exactly what it says on the tin and shows the value of the skill for traditional storytelling. The play shows that there is no need for flashy gimmicks to capture the attention of a young audience - all that is necessary is an engaging performance and Iaggi Boddari offers just that.

Two performers and a musician tell two Korean stories with the help of puppets and a single set created by Craig Denston. The set transforms itself with beautiful, clever and very simple accessories, while the oriental puppets are simple but effective.

Lizzy Hughes does an excellent job as Pom the storyteller, swapping with ease between difference pitches of voice and accents, clearly fully absorbed by the different characters she impersonates.

Together with Hak, her apprentice, she forms a successful double act. They do not just bring the tales to life but their constant bickering attracts plenty of laughs from the audience.

The second story, The Green Frog, squeezed in by Hak while Pom has her back turned, very nearly steals the show, as he creates a set and two frogs before the audience’s eyes from next to nothing and excels in childish humour.