THE SNOW GOOSE
DIRECTOR: Jenine Collocott
CAST: James Cairns, Taryn Bennett
VENUE: Sandton’s Auto and General Theatre on the Square
UNTIL: May 16
RATING: ****
It’s rare that theatre is made in a way that will appeal to all in the family. This is one of those with a director who pays attention to both the story and the way she tells it.
With two actors with the brilliant skills of Cairns and Bennett, she was handed a gift and once they had decided to introduce masks (created by Collocott) into the storytelling, the play took on a life of its own.
It’s all in the fine detail as every character and action unfolds delicately with accents and movements, the holding of a hand, the exuberance of the young lass Frith, the typical village postmistress, the bullying of the other, the condescension, are all brought to life in almost once-upon-a-time fashion.
Paul Gallico would have loved the mood and the stylish adaptation (by the director and the cast) of his powerful novella, which is a part of so many childhoods. And that’s what makes this such an extraordinary experience. Many will know the narrative and yet it loses none of its intensity because of the way the characters are brought to life with both actors dexterously switching from one persona to the next to tell the story.
It’s also the music that sets the mood and the amusing London newscast that keep us abreast with where and when we are in the world while the magical tale of Phillip Rhayader and his snow goose unfolds.
From the cunning set to the expressive masks, the accents (coached by Fiona Ramsay) and clever touches (like the fairy lights), all complement the story and the emotional heft.
Collocott takes her audience by the hand and leads them into this wondrous world where special friendships and caring shine brightly, as the actors breathe glorious life into their many characters and command the stage from beginning to end.
This is joyous theatre. It’s all about storytelling and the many different ways artists share their particular dream.