Reviews

Twisted Tales (Tour – Newcastle)

Twisted Tales is a series of short stories by Roald Dahl, adapted by Jeremy Dyson, told over eighty minutes, with no interval. To be honest anyone who is old enough to remember the TV series, Tales from the Unexpected, will be familiar with the content. With that in mind I did feel the inclusion of the TV shows memorable theme tune would have been a welcome addition to the production.

We first meet the cast of six (who play numerous characters throughout) as regular commuters on a train, when into their carriage enters a stranger who starts to tell them stories. As each tale starts we are whisked in to that world by an effective set by Designer Naomi Wilkinson, which being mainly black and having a fast revolve moves the action along at a cracking pace.

While each story is totally engrossing, often the endings are a bit of a letdown and feel unsatisfactory, but having said that, as often on a journey, half the fun is getting there. Sometimes you can see the ending coming a mile off, especially in the first story. But, as in the tale about a bet, where the prize is winning a car, while losing means having your little finger chopped off, the tension nicely builds.

This show is recommended for ages 14 plus, but that may stop a lot of people attending which is a shame. While this is not suitable for young children, there is nothing to give older children nightmares about. In fact, my daughter, who is younger than 14 was totally hooked from the start and the show certainly kept her young mind ticking over for hours afterwards.