23 October - 25 October, The Lowry

Roll up, roll up! Halloween arrived early at The Lowry, bringing with it Cooger and Dark’s pandemonium shadow show. As surreal and spooky as it was fantastical and fun, this tempting production captivated the imagination of all the audience, transporting them to a carnival unlike any they’d witnessed before. The question was: ‘Who dares ride the carousel?’
The play, an adaptation of the 1962 novel by Ray Bradbury, follows two curious adolescents, Will and Jim, as they are rapt by the powers of the enigmatic and sinister Mr. Dark (brought wonderfully to life by Andrew Clark) and his magical array of colourful characters. They soon discover the façade of the carnival and begin unveiling hidden truths, learning that appearance isn’t always the same as reality. In their innocence, they are left to save their hometown before “something wicked” destroys it once and for all.
Coming into contact with the mystical and surreal, the boys and the audience are reminded of the importance of friendship and the precious nature of youth. Graham Kent, who plays Will’s father, gives an emotionally sensitive performance, showing both adults and children alike the power of happiness in the face of evil. However, although the underlying themes can be seen to transcend age, the supernatural characterisations and mischievous use of multi-media would be best received by a younger audience.
Though the nightmarish battle between good and evil has come to an end in Manchester, I would certainly look out for other productions from the National Theatre of Scotland. They add playfulness to their performances, combining the themes of morality and fun, which children and others will not only love, but undoubtedly learn from as well.

4 stars