The Magic Quest - The Scotsman 07/08/2004
The Scotsman 07/08/2004
The Magic Quest
Jane Ellis
DUDDINGSTON KIRK MANSE (Venue 121)
ONCE again Theatre Alba have created a small slice of fairyland on the edge of Duddingston Loch. Where Arthur’s Seat slopes into the water behind Duddingston Kirk there is an enchanting garden, the real star of this production.
An environmental theme dominates the story: heartless goblins want to dig up the garden and drain the loch in search of gold. The resident elves feel threatened. They need help and commandeer the children in the audience to join a quest to find the dragon.
Leading us on a cheery rampage round the trees and flowerbeds, they reveal clues and weird characters, including a talking trout, a wicked witch and an ogre.
Small children soon abandon their parents and run off hand-in-hand with elves and fairyfolk. So utterly entranced are they, and so desperate to find the next clue, the children are practically standing on the actors’ feet. But the cast are not fazed, dealing charmingly with youthful interruptions.
Using simple Scots throughout, the cast soon have us singing about bricht flooers and auld mither naiture as if born to it. Fresh air and fairy tales make a winning combination.
