Chloe and the Colour Catcher
Old Vic ★★★★I
IT’S finally December, so Christmas Panto and show season is well under way. Having two young children, I was cautious about which play, if any, would suit my youngsters.
But I’m so happy I dared to take them to this fun-packed hour, with all the drama of a pantomime, just not as long.
Using minimal stage props and setting, it also benefitted from not being too overbearing or confusing for the younger audience.
Chloe (Charlotte Dubery) is a girl trapped in a grey world. The short play follows her quest to bring colour back into her life.
The villain of the show was Her Greynesty - and this is just the tip of the iceberg for grey puns thrown in throughout the production.
Comedy and the pseudo panto dame came in the form of Greyvina (played by Peter Edwards) - a school teacher who brilliantly preformed several humorous songs and dances.
Throughout the play, brought by Ad Infinitum, there were plenty of songs and musical interludes.
There were also numerous chances for the audience to join in, either shouting ‘it’s behind you’ or helping the main character punch the air.
A particular highlight for my son was when the audience was invited to throw rainbow balls at the stage.
It’s billed as perfect for four to seven-year-olds but both my kids are younger than four and loved every minute.
The play is fiercely political. It’s overriding message is to question the world around you and never be too scared to fight for change.
Every child was named a ‘rainbow rebel’, cementing the activist tone of the production.
While the political narrative was predominantly understood by the adults, it’s an important message to tell kids at any age.
The play is showing until January 6 and I can’t recommend enough you watching it during that time.
Entertaining and funny,but also full of significant meaning.