Clockheart Boy

Synopsis

This is the saddest story ever told. A macabre fairytale that bespeaks a universal tragedy. A boy is washed up on the shores of a strange land with a gaping hole where his heart should be. Patched up by an eccentric professor at the command of a lecherous King, all is well until he glimpses a ballerina pirouetting beneath the moon... This is a play with fleeting moments of beauty, horrible caricatures of ugliness, and heart-wrenching poignancy. The audience are invited to fall in love with the innocent boy whose bright eyes see nothing but goodness, and follow him on his journey until he is forced to see the world through another pair of eyes.

Our Review:

15 October 2012

Fifteen years after his daughter Sophie (a nicely mischievous Hester Bond) vanished a lonely Professor (Jack Cole) re-activates his mechanical servants to continue his search. Instead of Sophie they find a boy and, upon discovering he lacks a heart, the Professor manufactures one from a clock. The ramshackle family grow fond of Clockheart Boy (Michael Bryher who also directs) but will the robot the professor made as a substitute for his lost child share this affection?

Dumbshow is an enthusiastic company, in which the members of the cast also direct, design the set, stage-manage and contribute to Sam Gayton’s writing of the play. Although aimed at children aged six years and upwards the show is surprisingly reflective and tackles themes (such as the need for a child to eventually leave home) that may be more mature than the target audience can comfortably accept. Director Michael Bryher sets a reflective tone for the play that, again, might suit the themes...

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