Review: The Mexico Mission! The Wardrobe Theatre
The agents are on fine form with their latest mission to Mexico
The Company of International Artists (CIA) is back on stage with another art mystery this spring.
The Mexico Mission! is the third show from Brave Bold Drama’s Company Of International Artists. It’s part of a series of shows exploring a mystery in the art world. Audiences join in with Agents Kahlo and Dali to crack the case through clues and take part in voting to decide which way to take the adventure.
When the audience first arrives, they are handed mission packs. This contains everything they need to join in with the Solve-Along nature of the performance.
Before the show starts, there is a code to crack. Background information about the artist is included which contains images a timeline and short chunks of text that can be read quickly and easily.
There is also a paddle in the pack which is needed for audience voting. Finally, a map of key locations in a Mexican town is included for children to help Agent Dali solve part of the mystery.
The Mexico Mission! as with other CIA shows is a clever piece of writing. This show introduces children to the work of Mexican painter Frida Kahlo. The agents are called upon to authenticate a newly discovered painting by the artist.
Through the plot, children are introduced to the tools needed to solve the mystery they are presented with. This show focuses on art fraud so it encompasses things like scientific techniques and tools, knowledge, evidence and a little bit of gut instinct.
Children in the audience were keen to offer up their theories throughout, showing they had clearly been paying close attention to the narrative from the start. An adult behind me audibly signaled his approval when Agent Dali used a ruler on a map to find a location.
It’s a show that’s not only theatrical, creative and engaging, but actively encourages children to develop and use their critical thinking skills.
The dialogue seamlessly blends facts and accessible vocabulary about art as part of the fun.
For anyone whose child embarks on Art GCSE in the future, accessible learning regarding art at a young age is not just culturally enriching, it also builds the foundations of art knowledge for the future.
It’s something many parents or carers whose teenager came home waving the GCSE themes in January can probably attest to.
Frida Kahlo definitely made an appearance in a sketchbook here. And her work was not a mystery in this house thanks to the Company of International Artists.
Theatre is a wonderful place of challenge, learning and enrichment for children. We are lucky in Bristol to have access to high quality theatre-making for young people. The Mexico Mission! is part of this important cultural fabric in the city.
The Mexico Mission! also brings in plenty of entertaining silliness throughout the show. The use of an overhead projector is absolutely glorious. It’s used to portray a Mission Impossible style adventure to great comic effect.
The Mexico Mission! is headed out on a tour to Calne, Poole, Dorchester, Exeter and Weston Super Mare.
It’s the perfect piece of theatre for children around 7 years of age with their families.
For more information or to book a show, visit: https://bravebolddrama.co.uk/theatre/mexicomission.html
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