Festival Theatre
The Toad Knew
Kings Theatre, Edinburgh
Chloe Crooks
five stars
IF I had to sum up The Toad Knew into one word it would be "mesmerizing". The amount of energy the actors produced was absolutely inspiring. The tongue-tied performance is built up purely on our own imagination of small and big mysteries which even the wisest of people will find a challenge to unravel.
This incredible production plays on the theme of relationships within the family, but especially brother and sister. Loved ones taken to a different world full of mystery and riddle perhaps. Believe the unbelievable and you will not be surprised. This play takes us from the darkest of places to the most humorous moments.
The set represents an almost antique fairy tale-like place but with a twist of humanity. The curtains messing with our imagination representing an element of danger exploring the theme of entrapment.
Creating a world where there is magic in everyday life, it is hard not to get dragged into the spell. I now truly believe in mermaids after witnessing the unexplainable.
You will understand if you go and meet the Toad for yourself.
Chloe Crooks is a pupil at Holyrood High School and this review was submitted as part of The Herald Young Critics project with the Edinburgh International Festival. www.eif.co.uk
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