IF you remember Tongue Tied Theatre's children's shows The Revenge Of Mr Trout on the terrace and Puss In Boots in the De Grey Rooms, then here comes production number three from director Lizzie Wiggs on York Theatre Royal terrain: The Mischief Before Christmas.
State Of Play is the new name for Lizzie's reactivated York company, whose players were never tongue tied anyway, but State Of Play better reflects their philosophy for their target audience of three to seven year olds. Theatre for young children is all about the state of playing, in other words what you do naturally at that age and alas rather neglect to do when age weathers and withers you.
Lizzie calls The Mischief Before Christmas their "brand new interactive promenade adventure around the Theatre Royal's front-of- house spaces", as she continues to eschew mounting performances anywhere as conventional as the Studio or main house! She believes everywhere in a theatre should be alive to theatrical possibilities, and it is lovely to see upstairs, downstairs and on the stairs full of excited, enraptured children, even if one grumpy chap had complained to the director that he had come in for some peace and quiet that, perish the thought, the play had spoilt.
Frankly he could do with some Jingle and Twinkle in his life at this festive time of year. To explain, Christmas spirits Jingle and Twinkle are the show's storytellers, Danielle Winter (apt surname for a Christmas show) is wearing bells to denote her role; likewise Lane Paul Stewart's Edwardian bearded character has some rather fetching glitter sprayed into his hair.
Danielle Winter, Sophie the puppet and Lane Paul Stewart on the stairs for The Mischief Before Christmas
The children and their teachers will be led on an adventure around the refurbished Theatre Royal – a clever way to introduce them to what otherwise might be an intimidating building – where they will encounter a girl called Sophie in doll form and a "mischievious" elf, Frank, in a fabulous life-size puppet design by Beckie May.
Frank is first encountered peering over a balcony at the children below – no elf and safety issue for fearless Frank, attached to Stewart's arm – and it is the elf's naughty behaviour involving delivery of letters to Father Christmas – that drives Wiggs's story of magic, mystery and music.
Sophie's journey to find the errant Frank concludes in a tent full of "washing lines" of letters: all part of a charming design by Ali McDowall that earlier included miniature scenery emerging from suitcases when opened.
What was the state of play at the end of the 50 minutes? The children had loved it, joining in, making suggestions, replying to questions, and moving ever closer to the performers as the story drew them in.
The Mischief does indeed end before Christmas: December 24, so prompt booking is advised.
The Mischief Before Christmas, State Of Play Theatre, upstairs, downstairs and on the stairs at York Theatre Royal, until Christmas Eve. Box office: 01904 623568 or at yorktheatreroyal.co.uk
Please note: Special access performances will take place, including an audio-described performance for the deaf and hard-of-hearing on December 20 at 10.30am; relaxed performances for children who would benefit from an especially relaxed attitude to audience noise and movement, December 13 and 14, 10am.
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