Matthew Whitby and Charlotte Harrington in Where is Peter Rabbit at the Theatre Royal Haymarket, London. Picture by Steven Barber
Where Is Peter Rabbit? continues at the Theatre Royal Haymarket, London until 28 April 2019.
Star rating: four stars ★ ★ ★ ★ ✩
What a truly delightful show. A mere 60 minutes long, but golly what a riveting moment in time these 60 minutes are.
If you are familiar with Beatrix Potter, if you have a grandchild or child who enjoys puppetry and storytelling, this is definitely the show for you.
We are introduced to the production, firstly and lastly, with a set design that melts like honey on buttered toast. Watercolour cut-outs of the English countryside, indicative of Potter’s work are neatly placed around the stage, central to which there is a domed door which rotates as new stories begin.
A beautifully flowing imagery from the video designer Tim Reid, weaving another yarn to the florid tapestry of Potter prose. Alongside which Roger Glossop has imagined a wonderfully nostalgic scene that will touch all adults in the theatre familiar with Potter’s work. Sunnily lit, the gold is British summertime, something Jason Taylor lights marvellously, all helping to transport us back to Potter’s books and her perfectly rustic style.
The puppets, for this is the mastery of it, are fabulous. Bigger than their actual size but smaller than the actors handling them. And what a talented bunch. Perhaps a little too talented in their flagrant articulations, vocally perfect and gorgeously toned, but physically too bold.
For it is difficult not to look at the faces of Grace Osborn, Matthew Whitby and Samuel Knight rather than their animal characters, but some may rather like their big expressions. Tis but a small critique for what is an enjoyable show, full of vignettes from Potter’s books.
Five stories in total, snapshots of the best bits from her collection of books. My daughter’s favourite was ‘The Tale of Mr Tod’, a raucous scene where Badger and Fox embroil in fun-filled fisticuffs, each trying to out manoeuvre and think the other one. Bouncy dances and impressive choreography by Sheila Carter.
However, the best cream to this very English sponge is the music. Well done to Steven Edis and Alan Ayckbourn who manage to steal the show with their catchy ‘Flight Song’. It’s a song I’m still crooning today.
Where is Peter Rabbit? revolves, literally, into a touching tale, voiced over mellifluously by Griff Rhys Jones and Miriam Margolyes and is a spot-on success. Thoroughly enjoyed and a must-see by all age groups.
Laura-Jane Wareing
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