The Stage

Midnight

Published Tuesday 5 April 2005 at 09:50 by Julie Watterston

When Jacqueline Wilson wrote Midnight and some of her other modern classics that have now been adapted for the stage, she could surely never have imagined that between adapter Vicky Ireland and Watershed Productions, her novels would come to life in such a special way.

Targeted at pre-pubescent and young teen audiences, the creative skill with which Watershed has interpreted Wilson’s hugely successful stories gives this next generation of theatregoers high standards against which to compare future theatre visits.

The use of puppetry is incredibly effective as 12-year-old Violet (Sarah O’Leary) balances reality with her own make-believe fairy world. The puppets, designed and made by Gemma Fripp and Lee Threadgold respectively, are both comforting and eerie, with their haunting movements managed by the cast, skilfully switching between being actors and puppeteers. Fripp’s set design is equally powerful, combining Violet’s everyday activities with an intriguing mystical world that is superbly driven by original music from Steve Markwick. And when Violet ventures into the attic the effective use of two sets of actors creates a chilling mirror image which leaves the young audience in awe of this simple yet effective technique.

The talented cast brings to life the rest of the characters, including James Camilleri as teenage brother Will, Lynne Armitage and Joe Cushley as Mum and Dad, Rebecca Santos as Violet’s new friend Jasmine and Steve Dineen as the theatrical Jonathan. Rosie Armstrong, Alex Scott Fairley and Samantha Nightingale complete the cast for this amazing production.