Adelaide Fringe 2016
The Bookbinder
Trick of the Light
Genre: Contemporary, Drama, Fringe Theatre, Magical Realism, Puppetry
Venue: The Bakehouse Theatre
Festival: Adelaide Fringe
Low Down
This is a story for every age that will leave you utterly thrilled and curious for more. This is story that transports you to a magical world with puppets, shadow puppets, figurines and the book itself. This one-man play is written and performed by Ralph McCubbin Howell, who is a powerful force on stage, and delivers his performance faultlessly.
Review
Tucked away in the miniature Studio space at the Bakehouse Theatre, this was a sparkling gem of a show. The staging is just beautiful, with every detail coming into play through the complex narrative. Set out as a drawing room with an old record player playing the supporting music to enhance each emotion and with lights that reveal the puppetry one by one, the setting itself was magical.
The play is written and performed by Ralph McCubbin Howell, who is a powerful force on stage. Playing all the roles from narrator, to apprentice, to master, to father, to the obligatory old crone, his voice has the most magnificent range and focus. Every word was crystal clear and used to enhance the character of the moment. Comfortable on stage, he whirls through a magical fairy tale using puppets, shadow puppets, figurines and the book itself to draw the audience into his world.
The simple costuming gives an air of honesty and the magic tricks become credible in this magical world. The plays on words had the audience laughing as well as gasping with amazement.
This is an outstanding play, performed brilliantly. The audience adored it and rightly so. We didn’t need to suspend disbelief – it was suspended in front of our very eyes. If you can possibly get a ticket, don’t hesitate. This is a story for every age that will leave you utterly thrilled and curious for more as the story takes you beyond the moment and into the universal realm of fairy tales.
