Review: The Shivers, Polka Theatre

Agent Rookie (Kenndrick Horton) high fives the front row of a young audience every time there is a win or a positive shift in the ever changing landscape of The Shivers by Emma Clark & PJ Stanley currently playing at Polka’s Adventure Theatre. And there is good reason to high five this refreshingly original,  experimental, fast and super smart work, which has been devised by the company with input from teachers and schools, particularly Key Stage 2 children aged 7 to 11 years old.

The opening minutes of the show offer up a genius prologue that sets up a main theme of misinformation and lies. A live feed news reporter, played by a versatile and dexterous Isis Clunie, sends updates back to the onscreen news desk as the audience are (mis)informed that children are seeing colours wrong and sounds are upside down. Simultaneously, Ben Kulvichit sets up his inimitable style of clowning as technology seamlessly plays with live performance.

Enter Horton’s character from the audience and we are immediately part of his quest to save the world and defeat evil Miss Information. Instantly a warm, personable and relatable protagonist, his energy completes a positively balanced cast of three. The chemistry between the ensemble is magical, whether multi-roling, delivering energetically physical set routines or fast-paced comedic narrative. A rapid succession of jokes, visual humour and witty dialogue is sustained using sharp timing and high energised adventure. The young audience member sitting next to me was belly laughing, and, to be fair, I loved the absurdist throwaway verbal comedy too. We particularly enjoyed the multiple characters, especially the Sleeper Agent, the banter between Foxanne (Clunie) and Rookie, and the entire physical concept.

A fox, a pigeon and Agent Rookie gather to become spies on an ingeniously designed set (Pip Terry), framed by two digital screens either side of a green-screened floor. Metallic curtains and free-standing curtained wings offer maximum opportunity to create an ever-changing coloured landscape. Stylish metallic bomber jackets used for the regulation spyware uniform then provide extra reflective lighting (Alex Fernandes). Technical highlights include a live green screen action sequence and pulsating sound track (Patch Middleton). The concept is nostalgically styled like a vintage 1970s spy thriller, and when Foxanne breaks into song there are traces of the cartoon musical comedy film The Aristocats alongside hints of The Pink Panther Show.

In the last scripted section there was a tiny missing beat needed for this adult human: maybe it’s my mature gut yearning for a quiet moment of critical thinking after high octane world saving. However, it’s so tiny because the physical style of storytelling is stunning, and the audience it aims at was full of young foxes, many who like to be noisy all the time.

This show is brilliantly pitched at those 7-11 year olds, particularly for first time theatre encounters, blending quality tech with a top aesthetic and performance delivery. Maybe their gut thinking is loud? Maybe one of the takeaway reminders is that live theatre learning can be noisy, ‘packed’ with playful environments and multifaceted genres that promote critical thinking.

Misinformation spreads faster than truth online and The Shivers doesn’t hang about either when advocating friendship and trust as tools to navigate today’s virtual world. Based on 1970’s cinematic superhero trios, the close sets up a sequel for Fox, Pigeon and now Intermediate Rookie that is greatly anticipated…. 

The Shivers was reviewed alongside a masterclass in reviewing Theatre for Young Audiences, delivered by ET’s Mary Pollard for Polka Theatre Young Ambassadors, who will be sharing their reviews with our specialist team. Polka’s three unique ambassador schemes involve children and young people at every stage of creating the work that is made for them. 

Written and Directed by Emma Clark & PJ Stanley
Devised by the Company
Performed by Isis Clunie, Kenndrick Horton & Ben Kulvichit
Scenic & Costume Design by Pip Terry
Sound Design by Patch Middleton
Video Design by emma + pj                                                                                                             
Lighting Design by Alex Fernandes                                                                                                      
Stage Management by Laura Whittle
Creative Education Consultancy by Peter Laycock
Commissioned by New Diorama Theatre                                                   

The Shivers plays in Polka’s Adventure Theatre until Sunday 12 April.