Review: The Vanishing Forest, Polka Theatre

Opera was most definitely not a thing for me when I was a kid. Even now, for many it’s seen as elitist and expensive, which is actually just not true, with companies like ENO providing offers and free tickets for under 21s. So how do we let children know that they are allowed to enjoy this spectacular artform? Or at least give them the opportunity to decide if it’s for them? Get them in early for a start; let them become familiar with it. And with impressively bold programming by Artistic Director Helen Matravers at Polka Theatre, that is exactly what we’re offered this half term. The Vanishing Forest is a bewitching, beautifully crafted piece of work from English Touring Opera, aimed at ages 7-12 years, where magic meets eco-crisis in an exhilaratingly enjoyable entertainment.

Rachel Baynton’s enchanting design sets us in the wood from Shakespeare’s A Midsummer Night’s Dream, where we meet the mischievous sprite, Puck (played delightfully impishly by Alys Meredid Roberts), along with Duke Theseus’ son Theo (Samuel Pantcheff), who is camping with siblings Mylas (Harry Grigg) and Cassie (Judith Le Breuilly). Now Duke himself, Theo’s money-making plans to chop down the wood threaten the creatures within in it, including the magical fairy band. Puck and the children have to work together to make the change that will save their home. But things gets hilariously mixed up in the process.

Let’s be clear – this is not a production that is in any way dumbed down for kids: this is full strength operatic delivery, and perfectly appropriate, with a highly entertaining surrounding story. It’s surprisingly thrilling to hear, and even feel, such powerful, evocative voices resonating throughout the auditorium. The actor/singers are accompanied by excitingly atmospheric live music, composed by Michael Betteridge and performed by three outstanding musicians.

The adventure is related clearly in Jonathan Ainscough’s pacy script, with both song and dialogue reiterating the storyline and captioned at every performance, so it is never confusing for the youngsters, and it’s often very funny. There’s really no need to have much knowledge of Shakespeare as the background story is fully explained. The play is brilliantly thought through, with lovely characterisation of quibbling siblings. Props are cleverly used to identify the swiftly-swapping characters and to foreshadow plot points, whilst charmingly made (Jimmy Grimes) and operated puppets subtly give presence to the wider body of creatures who would be affected by woodland destruction. Even with themes linking to a modern day environmental crisis, the magical sense of timeless fairyland is not lost, captured in Baynton’s beautiful costumes and lovely masks for the fairies.

This is very much a show that puts the child’s experience at the centre of the performance. Director Victoria Briggs makes full use of the auditorium to engage the audience, sending the actors and woodland creatures scurrying out amongst them. Simple interactions encourage the children to question the threat to the wood for themselves, which in less careful hands could become quite a preachy message; but here it’s delicately managed, giving agency to the audience to consider invisible presences, and to make up their own minds about what a healthy future might look like in their own hands. The whole is never patronising, simply and generously offering enormous talent, inspiring entertainment and fresh opportunity to young people.

You think opera’s not for children? Think again! The Vanishing Forest is a thrilling, musical delight that might just cast its spell over your family this summer.

Written by Jonathan Ainscough
Composed by Michael Betteridge
Directed by Victoria Briggs
Set and costume design by Rachel Baynton

The Vanishing Forest is aimed at ages 7-12 years and runs at Polka Theatre until Sunday 1 June.