Magnolia Street Play

A big thank you to PSG for buying our tickets.  We really appreciate this opportunity.  Streets are always full of fascinating characters and Magnolia Street, Capital  E National Theatre For Children's latest production, is no exception. Writer Dave Armstrong says the inspiration for it came from the old Wellington street where he lives and "where old and young, rich and poor, long-time residents and new immigrants live cheek by jowl". And from this he has developed a fascinating and engaging piece of theatre that director Frank Newman and his cast have magically brought  to the stage. The old, poor, long-time resident is 85-year-old Beryl (Erin Banks), on her way home on her Zimmer frame with her shopping.  The young and rich is Jake (Robin Kerr), cruising down the street on his skateboard from another neighbourhood. When Beryl and Jake first run into each other, there is the usual animosity that arises when the old try to interact with the young.   But slowly a friendship develops and Jake becomes fascinated by the memories that Beryl relays about her life in  Magnolia St.   But her memory is not all that accurate at times, such as calling it Mongolia St, which often has hilarious consequences. But it is not the slowly unfolding story of Beryl's life - interesting as it is - that makes this show unique but the way in which it is told, and the use of modern technology to complement the storytelling. A model of the houses on the street is projected on to a large screen, over which are projected many other images, including shadow puppets. Trams, cars and the  insides of offices all effortlessly merge from one image to another, the audience never quite sure what is going to be used to highlight the story. Adding to this are many other characters who come in and out of the story, all energetically played by Byron Coll. And when eventually Beryl arrives home and invites Jake in, her house is revealed as a treasure trove of memorabilia. Although this final section of the production drags a little and doesn't appear to have the same impact as the rest of the show, the gentleness and heartwarming sentiments conveyed nevertheless hold the audience's attention.   Reviewed by Ewen Coleman, Dominion Post