Review: A Fable, Riverside Studios

I arrive at Riverside Studios with a spring in my step, having walked from the tube in a bit of drizzle. Not usually cause for celebration in London but given the summer we’ve had so far, I’d have happily been soaked to the skin. So, I was hopeful that this intriguing sounding show would keep my spirits up. 

A Fable immerses you in its world before the lights go down; as I take my seat a puppet dog comes to say hello and seems delighted by a pat on the head. Then a donkey wanders past and wiggles its rear towards me. It is a charming start to the show and prompts chuckles and conversation throughout the audience. 

Once the lights do dim and my new friends take to the stage, the puppetry in A Fable continues to be a complete delight. The puppets are true works of art in their own right, with intricate details and an ingenious use of clothes pegs. The animals are incredibly lifelike, yet they hold a magic to them that brings the fables to life. The human characters are equally miraculous, with costumes and details that would not look out of place in one of Wes Anderson’s puppet-filled movies. 

Some of the effects are highly impressive. Without giving too much away, a violent scene between two animals uses red tissue paper and red lighting to great effect. Despite the relative simplicity of the staging, the storytelling is completely immersive, and the childlike joy of sitting back and being told a story is tangible. 

The story is told to us by three puppeteers, Jessica Ji, Melody Bainbridge-Todd and Yu Song, who quickly blend into the background as the puppets draw us into the action. The use of a large cardboard storybook also draws us in. Large pages are turned and props are lifted into place, transporting us from woodlands to royal courts. It is a really effective method of driving the narrative, but the scene changes could have felt smoother with the continuation of the beautiful music used elsewhere in the production. The sound of Velcro, as props are lifted and lowered, does slightly disrupt the story and there are a couple of clumsy moments that could be polished. 

The narrative itself is full of the quaintness and horror of many fables around the world. Some are more familiar than others, but the themes ring true and despite its short length at just 30 minutes, it certainly packs a punch. There will be betrayal and loss, but life goes on. A heartbreaking, yet profound message to end on. 

So, during a summer of unprecedented and draining heat, it is a wonderful escape to watch the world of Jessica Ji and Yu Song come to life on a small table in a small theatre. With just a few tweaks this could be a flawless show, it is charming, and wonderfully keeps the tradition of storytelling alive.

Written by Jessica Ji and Yu Song
Directed by Jessica Ji
Produced by Yu Song
Dramaturge by Xinyu Lu
Sound Design by Antian Bi
Sound Operator: Wenjing Zhang
Puppet Designer/maker: Elowen Packer, Jessica Ji, Melody Bainbridge-Todd, Simona Roeva, Yunchu Chiu, Yu Song

A Fable runs at Riverside Studios until Saturday 1 August as part of Bitesize Festival