Perfect Christmas gift
Lynn FreemanFri 25 Nov
Dear Santa
IF you can’t give me world peace for Christmas, could I please have a play that reminds people about the futility of war and of the consequences of our individual choices. Perhaps it could make us question what defines a hero, that being a word the media throws around a lot these days. Because I have been a very good critic this year, could it please be written by an outstanding young playwright, directed by someone up to the many wonderful challenges his scripts present, and performed by a supremely talented ensemble? I know I’m pushing it now, but how about a music score that’s unforgettable and an ingenious set.
Sun 27 Nov
Dear Santa
You are the man! Thank you for Tinderbox. It ticked all my boxes and then some.
Eli Kent cements his reputation as a writer with tremendous vision and originality with Tinderbox, which he’s based on the Hans Christian Andersen story. To tell the story of the soldier who is offered the chance to become the man he could be but with terrible strings attached, Kent, genius director Eleanor Bishop and everyone involved use projection (simple but so effective), puppetry, foley sound and deceptively simple techniques to bring the story alive.
Richard Dey captures the conflicted, guilt ridden soldier perfectly, and in the other central role Erin Banks brings warmth and strength to her role of his unconventional love interest, Elvira. Gareth Hobbs, Robin Kerr and Leon Wadham play a myriad of roles, brilliantly. Together, they move like dancers in their gasmasks as the pack of dogs from hell and are genuinely terrifying. Gareth Hobb’s music Alice Hill’s set and costume designs and Marcus McShane’s lighting are all critical elements to this play’s success.
Tinderbox runs two hours without a break, it’s intense, beautiful, strange and haunting. And it’s a work in development!
Thank you Playground Collective for this perfect Christmas gift. You’ve given me a lot to think about.









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