Review: Odd and the Frost Giants, Unicorn Theatre

Review: Odd and the Frost Giants, Unicorn Theatre

Summary

Rating

60

Good

Neil Gaiman’s classic saga is staged with the text totally centre stage.

This year’s seasonal offering from the Unicorn Theatre is Odd and the Frost Giants, an adaptation of a book by Neil Gaiman about one boy’s challenge to help the Norse Gods and reinvent himself in the process. It’s a weirdly low-key (not Loki!) choice for Christmas. Undoubtedly, the show has great production values and some excellent talent involved, but it’s a storytelling saga that relies on words more than music, dancing or action, which might be more common at this time of year.

The writing really is at the heart of the production, visible in dynamic projection and creative captioning throughout. However, it weighs too heavily – the script almost overwritten – causing the action itself to become static and wordy at times. The suggested audience age range is 7+, but it’s probably most suitable for ages 10+ due to this. At these dialogue-heavy points the captioning becomes necessary just to keep the stage active, which is disappointing.

Immediately, Milla Clarke’s imposing, innovative set design gives epic, Nordic grandeur, using enormous collapsible trees to create an atmospheric wood and other snowy locations. This is supported by a subtle but evocative soundscape from Beth Duke that brings much of the character to the show, adding to the chill with creaking trees and cracking ice. Simisola Majekodunmi’s lighting design is lovely too, putting stars in the auditorium and using projections to bring life to a stage that is often empty aside from some isolated figures and the visible captions. An enormous screen presents a giant, but it is just a close-up of his eyes, not offering much further characterisation and again is rather static.

There are some solid performances from a talented cast. Archee Aitch Wylie as Odd in particular is consistent, focused and upbeat in a wordy role. Most of the laughs come from Georgia Frost as Thor (channelling Christopher Eccleston a little, it has to be said), who is brilliantly bright and funny, whilst Leo Wan makes Loki a more complex and interesting character, flipping from funny to sneaky with flair. Sam Pay as ever gives a quality performance in multiple roles, also offering a delightful accordion accompaniment. Poor Simon Startin is given little to do as Odin, and Lorraine Adeyefa has only a little more, but is able to beautifully contrast Odd’s bland Mum with the glamorous and powerful Freyja.

However, there are further questionable choices, this time in the characterisation. In the book, Odd is supposed to have a shattered leg – effectively disabled – which makes his quest all the harder and the reasons for his being socially excluded quite specific, but here this is only gestured at by partial use of a crutch; an unfortunate downplay. I also found it disappointing that the clever Loki was cast as an erudite Southerner whilst the dim, greedy Thor was a rough Northerner.

The audience enjoyed moments when the cast ran through the auditorium, including using bubble machines, which is great fun. There is a single song at the bows that allows for some clapping along, but largely there isn’t a great deal of audience participation, which again you might expect in a seasonal production. The BSL signing in the song took me by surprise and appeared rather token given that it wasn’t offered elsewhere in the show.

This is a classic story of being brave, accepting who you are and finding new friends by helping others in adversity, which is an excellent message, clearly put. The form of the production also appropriately complements the feel of a Nordic saga. But if you’re looking for dynamic adventure at Christmas Odd is perhaps not that show.

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Written by: Neil Gaiman
Adapted by: Robert Alan Evans
Directed by: Rachel Bagshaw
Design by: Milla Clarke
Lighting Design by: Simisola Majekodunmi
Sound Design & Composed by: Beth Duke
Movement Direction by: Chi-San Howard
Video & Caption Design by: Sarah Readman
Associate Director: Lilac Yosiphon

Odd and the Frost Giants runs at the Unicorn Theatre until Tuesday 31 December. Further information and booking details can be found here.