Kipling with pizzaz
Concert production of Just So at The Watermill, Bagnor, runs until September 4, review by ROBIN STRAPP
Tokyo exhibition
GARNERING praise all round, The Ashmolean’s Tokyo Art & Photography is open until January 3. This exhibition is a celebration of one of the world’s most creative, dynamic and thrilling cities that explores Japan’s capital city through the vibrant arts it has generated over 400 years. It features a wide variety of artworks created in a metropolis that has constantly reinvented itself. Highlights include historic folding screens and iconic woodblock prints, video works, pop art, and contemporary photographs by Moriyama Daido and Ninagawa Mika. Book at https://www.ashmolean.org/ exhibitions#/
Family dance
HEAD on down to Victoria Park on Saturday at 10am for a hour of relaxed and fun dancing to show off your moves. This event, organised by the Corn Exchange, is suitable for all ages. £5 family ticket (up to 4 people from the same household, excluding babes in arms). All places must be booked in advance. Booking closes 24 hours before the course start time. www.cornexchangenew.com
Secret boxes
AFTER launching in May half-term earlier this year, Oxford Playhouse’s The Secret Garden Experience is extended into the summer, bringing the muchloved story and accompanying activities to many more people until Saturday, September 11. The ‘secret box’ that is posted through your letterbox can be enjoyed anywhere from your house and garden to your holiday destination. Activities include games, crafts, augmented reality, digital content, things to do indoors and things to do outdoors. Full details at www.oxfordplayhouse.com
Reading challenge
THERE is still time to take part in the West Berks Library Summer Reading Challenge. Children have until September 15 to complete the challenge, with all materials provided free of charge, including medals for those who finish. There are reading challenges for young non-readers and for grownups too. Sign up in your local library to join the fun.
Disco shed
THE third event of Newbury BID’s live music series visits the Market Place on Sunday. Following an award-winning appearance on Channel 4’s Shed of the Year series, Disco Shed will be bringing their giant music shed (garden gnomes included) from noon to 5pm. DJs Count Skylarkin and Peepshow Paddy have decks, lights, The World-Famous Disco Shed Inferno Smoke Machine, visuals, DIY and an ever-expanding army of Shedonists. The shed often secures top spots at the likes of Glastonbury, Latitude Festival and Bestival and has regular DJ residencies in top London nightclubs and beyond. Pull on your wellies and gardening gloves before heading into Newbury for a day like no other.
Theatre for children
THE Corn Exchange’s outdoor show for four- to six-year-olds –The Lion Inside – at St Nicolas Junior School on Saturday (11am, 12.30pm, 2.30pm) is based on the award-winning book by Rachel Bright and Jim Field. This is a show about confidence, self-esteem and a shy little mouse who sets out on a journey to find his roar and discovers that even the smallest creature can have the heart of a lion. There is a very special hat parade at the end of the show. Bring along your favourite hat or make one with all the colours and craft materials you have at home.
JUST So was first performed at
The Watermill theatre in 1989 and it was good to see it return to its ‘home’ for this 2021 semi-staged concert production, with George Stiles who wrote the music and Anthony Drewe the lyrics in the audience.
Based on Rudyard Kipling’s delightful children’s stories, this effervescent musical feast is blessed by a terrific cast who exude energy and pizzazz as they bring the tales to life.
Different coloured dungarees (costumes designed by Katie
Lias), cleverly reflect the animals characters and the imaginative set uses large illustrations as if from a picture book to suggest The Jungle – or Veldt –worked well.
The excellent Nathanael Campbell is the eldest magician and our storyteller, who opens the magical storybook and begins “at the time of the very beginning” as he creates all the creatures in the world. However, they all look the same and so he tasks them to find their individuality and “go out to play together”.
But all is not well as the elephants need to find higher ground when the Earth begins to flood as Pau Amma the giant crab causes havoc with the tides as he searches for food.
The intrepid insatiably curious elephant child (Eleanor Kane) and the exotic flamingo Kolokolo Bird (Emma Lucia), complete with pink feather boa, set off on a quest to find him in the “dark grey-green greasy Limpopo River” to try to persuade him to change his ways.
Their sea journey takes them to a desert island where they find the flamboyant Parsee Man (Dan De
Cruz) sipping cocktails. He also plays a sleek jaguar and is the musical director for the show.
He is served by his devoted Cooking Stove, complete with chef’s hat, played by Peter Mooney, who also provides much comedy as a Kangaroo.
Laura Andresen Guimarães as the Zebra and Emma Jane Morton playing the Giraffe are portrayed as typical Essex girls. But little did they know that the Jaguar and the Leopard (Kemi Clarke) are planning to “take the girls out for dinner”... quite literally.
Along the way we learn how the
Rhino (Alexander Bean) got his wrinkly skin.
Eventually the Elephant Child arrives at the Limpopo River where he asks the crocodile for help, but gets his nose trapped in his jaws – well a suitcase, clever touch – and as he tries to escape, his trunk grows. So that’s how he got his long trunk.
As to the crab, he is shrunk to normal size and the seas return to normal. Mission complete, proving that an individual with courage can make a difference.
The musicianship of this highlyaccomplished cast is impressive, each playing a wide variety of instruments, and Christopher Jahnke’s orchestration raises the bar.
Director Abigail Pickard Price creates a show brimming with inventiveness. This is a family show not to be missed Oh Best Beloved.