Theatre favourites Flossy and Boo are in the middle of their first tour back on stage after all the “kerfuffle” of the last two years, and how welcome their vibrant performances and charming personalities are. Written for 2-8-year-olds, The Girl Who Couldn’t Pretend is the ideal return to the land of pure imagination that these fantastic performers are able to conjure up with such ease.
A bright but minimal stage is the scene where a young girl, who can’t play pretend games, is taken by her imaginary guide through forest, ocean, sky and space. Ordinary objects are transformed into talking animals, hot air balloons, swords and monsters. Flossy and Boo – aware that this will be some children’s first-ever show – introduce their audience to the setting and multi-rolling and prepare appropriate responses for moments of drama, in a way that eases the young adventurers into the action.
With charming songs, clear and bright storytelling and just the right amount of audience involvement, this is the perfect show to kick start a child’s imagination – everything you need to break free from the world of smart screens and lockdown and remember that a box is never just a box.
Pontardawe Arts Centre, Wed 23 Feb
The Girl Who Couldn’t Pretend tours to Theatr Brycheiniog, Brecon (Thurs 24 Feb); Melville Theatre, Abergavenny (Sun 27 Feb); The Riverfront, Newport (Sun 6 Mar). Info and tickets: here
words JOHN-PAUL DAVIES