REVIEW: Star of Wonder, Unity Theatre
Some gentle Christmas clowning makes for an all-ages crowd pleaser
STAR of Wonder is a delightful show for little ones that is a collaboration between Ellesmere Port children’s theatre specialists Theatre Porto and Liverpool-based international clowning company Teatro Pomodoro. Together they make a charming team.
The international group of players - Pomodoro’s Ecole Philippe Gaulier alumni Carmen Arquelladas, Miwa Nagai and Simone Tani, plus Jordan Connerty and Nikki Hill - makes for a delightful melting pot of style and humour, under the directorial eye of Porto’s artistic director Nina Hajiyianni.
With no dialogue, the players find the common ground between actors and audience to tell their tale without words; a sweet, Let’s Pretend-type adventure that sees a humble shopping trolley adorned, Buckaroo-style to become a vehicle equipped with everything they might need along the way as they begin their adventure to follow a mysterious star.
It’s not plain sailing, with sand storms, obliviously unhelpful sheep and a lost teddy bear among the challenges meeting the crew.
Theatre Porto’s philosophy is child-centred and focussed on collaboration, inclusivity and experimentation - all this is abundantly clear in Star of Wonder.
It looks lovely, too. Designer Cathy Cross’s pastel apocolyptic-style costumes and cosy drapery around the set are friendly and inviting; Phil Saunders’s lighting design enables flights of fancy from wandering stars to backdrops for puppetry; and long-time Unity collaborator Patrick Dineen creates a beautiful, gentle soundtrack.
Best for younger children but suitable for everyone, Star of Wonder is not a new show but nevertheless one it was lovely to see make its way to the Unity stage.
