November 6, 2009
Touring over the festive season, Oxfordshire Theatre Company brings a captivating and visually brilliant production of Peach Boy, a musical and a magical play. Based on a popular Japanese folk tale, the play tells the story of a boy with superhuman strength, born from a giant peach found by an old couple, who then raise him to manhood.
The story follows the typical quest narrative: Peach Boy, now come of age, must defeat the ogres that cursed the Emperor and stole his parents’ treasures, along the way accompanied by a multitude of animal comrades, including a nervous Dog, a squawking Pheasant and an astute if bumbling Ape. It’s all somewhat Dorothy-esque, but Peach Boy is quite a bit more kickass. On his way, Momotaro confronts forests and seas, is visited by a series of characters, both good and malign, until he reaches the final showdown with the ogres and their true master.
The production itself is gorgeously done: the set is neat but elegant, decorated in an ornate Japanese style using bamboo, silks and complemented by flawless, innovative lighting throughout the play. What marks the production out, and what younger audiences will love, is its colour and attention to detail. As well as vibrant lighting, there are some beautifully crafted props, colourful puppets, rich costumes, all accompanied by a background, Japanese-themed soundtrack, which, though just a MIDI-soundtrack, contributes to the atmosphere. There is strong singing from all the cast, and some of the little musical numbers are catchy enough to stick in your head as you leave the theatre.
Though just a three-man band (inc. one woman), the actors, Cally and Metcalf especially, show a spectacular versatility with the characters they adapt and play, bringing a different demeanor and grace to each, and pulling off the lighthearted humour of the script wonderfully. Quinn as Peach Boy himself has an easier job of it, but plays the role with a charm and cheekiness, delivering the heroism in a way that is likeably cheesy.
The play, overall, is polished, visually and musically – commendable given the setbacks the production has had (one actor had to be replaced at the last minute) – providing a fantastical journey and a foray into Japanese culture, accessible to all ages.
The story follows the typical quest narrative: Peach Boy, now come of age, must defeat the ogres that cursed the Emperor and stole his parents’ treasures, along the way accompanied by a multitude of animal comrades, including a nervous Dog, a squawking Pheasant and an astute if bumbling Ape. It’s all somewhat Dorothy-esque, but Peach Boy is quite a bit more kickass. On his way, Momotaro confronts forests and seas, is visited by a series of characters, both good and malign, until he reaches the final showdown with the ogres and their true master.
The production itself is gorgeously done: the set is neat but elegant, decorated in an ornate Japanese style using bamboo, silks and complemented by flawless, innovative lighting throughout the play. What marks the production out, and what younger audiences will love, is its colour and attention to detail. As well as vibrant lighting, there are some beautifully crafted props, colourful puppets, rich costumes, all accompanied by a background, Japanese-themed soundtrack, which, though just a MIDI-soundtrack, contributes to the atmosphere. There is strong singing from all the cast, and some of the little musical numbers are catchy enough to stick in your head as you leave the theatre.
Though just a three-man band (inc. one woman), the actors, Cally and Metcalf especially, show a spectacular versatility with the characters they adapt and play, bringing a different demeanor and grace to each, and pulling off the lighthearted humour of the script wonderfully. Quinn as Peach Boy himself has an easier job of it, but plays the role with a charm and cheekiness, delivering the heroism in a way that is likeably cheesy.
The play, overall, is polished, visually and musically – commendable given the setbacks the production has had (one actor had to be replaced at the last minute) – providing a fantastical journey and a foray into Japanese culture, accessible to all ages.