: Not so tall tales: Victorian mystery is inventively brought to book
Award-winning children’s theatre practitioner Shona Reppe is at the forefront of puppetry in Scotland, garnering rave reviews internationally for shows such as Olga Volt the Electric Fairy, Cinderella and Potato Needs a Bath. Not to mention having a hand in the highly praised pre-school show, White by Catherine Wheels.
In this new show produced by Catherine Wheels, and aimed at 5-8 year olds, she sets out to investigate a Victorian scrapbook, which serves as an aide memoire to reach back into the past.
Think scraps (which can be anything, bits of cloth; torn cuttings) as the equivalent of Proust’s madeleines if you like.
Here Reppe plays Dr Patricia Baker, a “scrapologist” to trade, and founder of SCRAPS - the Society for the Care, Repair, Analysis and Probing of Scrapbooks.
Having made sure she has the attention of all the “scrapettes” in the audience, she then forensically examines the scrapbook laid out on the table in front of her, its contents projected onto the screen beside her, to try and yield up its secret history.
Bit by bit, through careful examination of the book’s quirky contents (bits of seaweed; food stains; train ticket stubs; old cuttings and photos; a list of “dangerous things”, including porridge) we learn that the scrapbook belongs to Victorian Edinburgh watchmaker and seaweed collector, Artemis J Mood. And that he had a lady love, Josephine Bean, who he wined, dined and took to visit the seaside and the theatre. Or did he?
“ I do love a romance!”, exclaims Dr Baker. But as she begins to double back on herself and the book’s contents, has she been too quick in judging the clues she finds?
It’s gripping, inventive stuff. Think CSI meets Sherlock Holmes, Play Away, Mrs Pepperpot (there’s an extra clue Dr Baker doesn’t provide ), and Michael Bentine’s Potty Time.
Reppe has charm to burn, engaging, kid-friendly, funny storyteller, actor and puppeteer (although it should be noted no puppets actually feature here). This is theatre of the imagination, where the book’s pop-up nature, advent calendaresque pockets delivering up secrets,, and clever use of video and soundscape help drive the narrative. One that holds the attention throughout to great effect, for both kids and adults alike.
MacRobert, University of Stirling, Stirling, Nov 5. Tel: 01786 461081. Then touring.
Reviewed Harbour Arts Centre, Irvine.
