Powder Monkey

Synopsis

Stella's kingdom is the wasteland on the edge of the woods and The Armchair is her castle. Some days life feels like a battle. Her brother's away, fighting for freedom, but she's got his treasured collection of soldiers. And Worm. She has him too - and he usually does what he's told. Just lately though Stella and Worm have started to notice some weird things. There's definitely something watching them. And it's getting closer in Amanda Dalton's tender and thought provoking play for everyone aged over nine.

Our Review:

2 June 2011

Constant news reports from war zones have a deadening effect; inuring us to the suffering of those involved. Amanda Dalton’s Powder Monkey tackles this disassociation by showing the general effect of conflict upon individuals – specifically children. Stella (Karla Crome) awaits the return of her solider brother and feels that war may sometimes be acceptable; her friend Worm (Sam Swann) has pacifist beliefs but is drawn towards war toys. Their discussions are interrupted when child soldier and refugee AK (Susan Wokoma) brings the reality of conflict.
 
Director Matt Peover delivers an intense production –perhaps a little too strong for the young target audience. A particularly disturbing sequence sees child soldiers undertake an attack as if it is a childish game. James Cotterill provides an atmospherically bleak background – a single twisted tree, blasted ash underfoot and a forest of scaffolding. ...

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