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Synopsis Hamelin is a busy, bustling, average town with citizens going about their business. But with people comes rubbish - piles of it - and with rubbish comes rats. So when a stranger steps forward promising to remove every rat in town, everyone is delighted. But are they really prepared to take responsibility for their actions, and happy to pay the real price for such a drastic brand of pest control?
I have been going to BAC christmas shows since 1999 and have to say this is my least favourite.
I felt the story was too thin, the music too loud, there seemed a lot of mucking about and chaotic scenes.
The case were good and there were some good sceans. The show was ok, but not really worth travelling up from Redhill for which is where I live! - 87.74.0.50)
07 Jan 06
An enjoyable feel-good show conjured out of minimal resources. The intimacy of the BAC performance space compensates for the fact that a tiny cast of eight represents the entire population of the town of Hamelin, and all their children. The rickety looking collection of cubes that serves as a set is transformed effortlessly into whatever is wanted, most notably a bathroom and a mountain. The red eyes of the rats blink out from under the audience seating as they are captivated by the ratcatcher’s music. The actors change effortlessly between typical small town stereotypes and capricious kids who indulge in a joyous series of games as we get to know them. The mood of the play shifts constantly, with broad comedy and some real Victorian pathos. There is a quite magical scene as the children are lured into the mountain, where unbelievable wonders await them, sadly and feelingly described by the crippled boy who didn’t make it to the top in time. The ratcatcher himself, a strange waiflike figure with his heart on his sleeve, elicits much more sympathy than is accorded to your average child abductor. Occasionally the generally tight production slips into chaos, for example immediately after the interval as the townsfolk celebrate the demise of the rat infestation with some unchoreographed and indisciplined dancing. For the most part, however, it is a delight. The greatest joy is the live music conjured out of a rag tag of instruments held together by a skillful cellist and drummer and culminating in an upbeat version of ‘Silent Night’ which seems wholly appropriate and ends the show on a satisfying high. - 86.130.211.76)
29 Dec 05
It easy to be slightly miffed when you first walk into the theatre at Battersea Arts Centre to watch the Ratcatcher of Hamlin. The set looks somewhat industrial, the audience is seperated into two stands that face eachother on either side of the "stage" area, and there is the faint but distinct tune of Silent Night being sung from a bunch of slightly odd looking people in the corner. But stick around, as just under two hours later you will come out of the room smiling and thoroughly entertained.
The story line is a pied-pyper type affair that is acted out by only 8 or so actors portraying over 20 characters. The musical is aimed (loosely) towards children and Christmas-time, but there is plenty here to keep all ages amused. The actors literally bounce off eachother during elaborate scenes of fairytale wonders that occur when a mysterious visitor turns up at the rat-ridden fictitous village of Hamlyn. The dull looking exterior to the set bursts to life with creativity and colour, and the beat of both music and script keeps you on the edge of your seat throughout.
The result of this odd, mimimalistic performance is one of child-like awe for the sheer imagination of the creators.
Tuesdays are "pay-what-you-can" nights, so there is absolutely no excuse not to go and see this wonderful exhibition of talent before Christmas is upon us.
Enjoy. - 193.132.193.251)
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