The Scarlet Pimpernel the egg Bath Relaxed Performance
The Scarlet Pimpernel the egg Bath Review:
This intelligent and witty adaptation of The Scarlet Pimpernel, by Pins & Needles Productions, is just the kind of farcical face-achingly funny show we all need in our lives.
We’re very lucky in Bristol and the surrounding regions to have top-quality children’s theatre being produced and this wonderful production was no exception.
Christopher William Hill’s adaptation has poodles shot from cannons, foppish heroes and plenty of fast humour. There’s excitement, the mild threat of the grizzly guillotine, a flamboyant and exuberant cast and all set against the punk-meets-Marie Antoinette design.
The show has been running since the 06 of December, making up the theatre’s Christmas show this year. It finishes its run on Sunday 13 January so there’s still time to see it.
The performance we attended was a Relaxed Performance, one of a series of accessible performances at the theatre: https://www.theatreroyal.org.uk/your-visit/the-egg/egg-access/
What is a Relaxed performances
A Relaxed Performance is literally what it suggests. It is an accessible performance aimed at people who would benefit from a more inclusive environment in the auditorium and occasionally, reduced sound or lighting from the stage.
It’s not the same as child friendly – although this is a children’s show – but aims to create access to theatre for adults and children with conditions or disabilities such as autism, sensory processing difficulties, learning difficulties, learning disabilities and ADHD.
A Relaxed Performance is about giving access to people with disabilities and without judgement, who may need to make noise during the show, move around or take breaks from the performance.
Relaxed Performance at the egg Bath
This is our first visit to the egg. It is a place of beauty, with a child friendly front-of-house area open to the public and an intimate auditorium with genuinely comfortable seating – ideal for families.
The theatre staff are without exception friendly and helpful from the start and all areas of the building are accessible with a lift.
It was brilliant being able to choose where to sit in the auditorium because of both the rigidity and anxiety autism causes. It gives the child the power to make their own choice and feel in control.
Before the show started, a member of the cast came on stage to explain that the show was a Relaxed Performance, that members of the cast would be moving through the auditorium during the course of the show and that anyone could leave and spend time in a dedicated chill-out zone as and when necessary.
Child Verdict:
Eleven Year Old Sid, tells us what he thought of the show and how he got on at a Relaxed Performance.
Sid says: It was amazing, the entire show and the way they did it.
The show was really funny. I enjoyed it because of the humour that happens every five seconds and that the entire cast played different parts. The entire performance was ensemble.
It was so funny when the poodle was shot out of the cannon and the dancing and singing heads at the beginning. I liked how the costumes kept on changing. It was crazy, amazing and musical.
The Relaxed Performance was much different than I thought it would be. I forgot it was a Relaxed Performance at the end. I thought it would be really loud because of the time it was set it. It was better than I thought and I didn’t find anything worrying.
The actors talking to us in the audience before the show was hard because I find it difficult talking to people I don’t know. But they managed it really well and I really enjoyed it. I really liked that a person came on stage and told us it was going to happen first.
I thought it was best for children eight years and over.
More Information:
The Scarlet Pimpernel is at the egg, until Sunday 13 January 2019.
For more information about the theatre, or to book, visit: https://www.theatreroyal.org.uk/your-visit/the-egg/
