REVIEW: The Missing Light, Liverpool Everyman

The Missing Light is the latest production from Make Mend and Do, who tell magical, thoughtful tales for young audiences in creative ways.Four sets for Barbie-doll sized puppets span the Everyman stage, with props scattered around each base. It's not easy to see everything - but a camera is set up at each station to live edit the action onto a big screen above. It makes for a delightful combination of watching a coherent story on film while being able to see the action and intricacy 'behind the curtain' (so to speak) making it all possible.The Missing Light tells the story of a young couple who part every morning as the fisherman husband goes off to sea, where he communicates with her back on land by the flashing of the light from his boat.When he is lost at sea, the wife continues to look for the light until she is an old woman, and a new friend comes into her life.It's a gentle tale, moving and lovingly told; silent but for the accompanying score and with minimal text on screen.The story and music is written and directed by Liverpool actor Mark Arends and is the third production from his company Make Mend and Do. (Their previous show, The End of Everything Else, came to the Ev two years ago - read the review here.)Aimed at audiences aged 7+, it is short enough to entertain still younger children - and like the best Pixar films, The Missing Light expertly tugs on the heartstrings of adult audiences with its themes of love and loss - and trusts children with them also.It's a delightfully told story that keeps hope and love alive until the very end, on a whimsical and unpredictable journey that also provides some belly laughs for the children on the way. The attention to detail is impressive (look for the twist on the passing of time through turning calendars - a creative touch that brings a real lump to the throat).Ultimately, The Missing Light is a finely-crafted love letter to theatre making, that deserves to inspire and enthral young audiences with its magic.