Rapunzel

Proteus Theatre Company

Touring until January

MANY congratulations to Mary Swan, who has now been artistic director of Basingstoke’s Proteus Theatre Company for ten years.

She celebrates her decade in charge with a new touring production Rapunzel, which recently debuted in Central Studio and will tour until January. It marks, to an extent, a theatrical culmination of some of her passions, passions she has indulged in many of the company’s most recent shows.

Regular attendees will have seen how she and aerial choreographer Lorraine Moynehan have woven circus skills into acclaimed work such as Dracula, Arabian Nights and The Elephant Man.

In Rapunzel, the circus skills take centre stage – and what a stage it is! Designer Sam Pine has come up with a fantastic central ‘tower’ framework, around which the five actors bring the tale to life.

This Rapunzel is thematically inspired by the traditional Grimm story. Audiences are introduced to the Ringmaster (Paul Huntley-Thomas), his adopted protégé Rapunzel (the very winning Jodie Hoffman) and her circus co-stars Mags (Megan Brooks) and Impossible George (circus practitioner Kaveh Rahnama).

Struggling to attract business, they welcome some new blood into the ring in the shape of Luke Francis’ former lion tamer Leo.

On the night that I attended, children’s eyes popped and their jaws hit the floor as they watched the cast swing, juggle and promenade in fine style. Many dreams of becoming a trapeze artist were certainly born that night.

Those who see this production as it tours around Hampshire and the wider area will be won over by the talented, tremendous cast.

Brooks is particularly wonderful, especially when possessed by the Russian spirit minx Madame Gypsy Rosie Poopokvia and manipulating Nick Ash’s bold blue puppet.

Credit: R W Davenport Photography 

Basingstoke Gazette:

Rahnama makes the most of a really fun sequence in which he plays a preening poseur, strutting his stuff for the ladies of his audience accompanied by appropriately pounding pop.

The mums may have giggled nervously, but oh how they loved it!

Credit: R W Davenport Photography 

Basingstoke Gazette:

Where you can see Proteus’ Rapunzel in the local area:

Tadley Community Centre, Saturday, December 13, 4pm. Box office: 0118 981 4538.

Old Basing Village Hall, Saturday, December 20 at 2pm and 7pm. Box office: 07969 072230.

Rooksdown Community Centre, Sunday, December 21, 4pm. Box office: 01256 869626.

Oakridge Hall for All, Wednesday, January 7, 6.30pm. Box office: 01256 475844.

Brookvale Village Hall, Sunday, January 11, 2.30pm. Box office: 01256 324313.

Sherborne St John Village Hall, Saturday, January 17, 4pm. Box office: 01256 889730.

The full tour schedule is online at proteustheatre.com.