Theatre
Wild Heather
Brian Cox Studio, SYT Glasgow
Mary Brennan
FOUR STARS
Bare feet, torn gown, twigs in her hair ?? this Heather is definitely a wild child. Her royal mother yearns for a less muddy Princess but all the 3 to 5 year olds adore her just as she is ?? thanks to a gloriously hoyden-ish, outgoing performance from Christie Mitchell as the wayward heir to a (very plush) throne. The latter comes courtesy of Finlay McLay??s year-in, year-out determination that ?? whatever the budget ?? the audience of tinies won??t be short-changed when it comes to set design. When Heather jinks off into the forest to find her best friend Hoolet (Anna Schneider, an obviously wise Brown Owl, with LOTS of skills badges), we trot after her into a studio made mysterious with wall-to-wall greenery. Lots of room, however, for dancing and chasing about and for joining in a series of lively make-believe activities that??s nicely paced by director Karen McGrady-Parker.
The story-line itself is kept simple and straightforward. We know Heather isn??t really a wicked girl, just high-spirited. So when asked ?? and asking for suggestions is a key factor in this hour-long SYT production ?? the tots are all for Heather saying ??sorry?? for disappearing (without telling) on her birthday and for her baking a surprise cake for her mum. Lewis, the cook with the uke(lele), is on hand to help, as is Hoolet who has recruited us to be little owls ?? we even get a badge to prove it. If proof were needed of the value of a piece like this, the children chattering excitedly afterwards about every detail confirms that theatre-making for the under-6??s is a worthwhile investment.
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