The Wild Things are Here...

We have been excited about the Dumbstruck/No Loss Productions Christmas show  The Wild Things for a while now - we even had a sneak preview when the cast popped down to The Kiosk in Russell Park (which you can see here) and at last, the Wild Things really are here!  Well, they are at The Place Theatre on Bradgate Road anyway, with performances from now until Christmas Eve. The show is lovingly based on Maurice Sendak's classic picture book 'Where The Wild Things Are' and is the story of Max, a boy who likes to dress up in his wolf suit and "make mischief of one kind, or another".

When Max's mum sends him to his room without any supper, he finds himself transported to where the Wild Things are. The story is very simple, and the show builds on the clues in the book to imagine what goes on when Max visits the mysterious creatures. The scenery and design are all masterful creations by Bedford's very own illustrator David Litchfield who keeps the mood of the drawings similar to the originals, but gives them his own special style. The four Wild Things all emerge as beautifully written, individual characters over the course of the stage show, which in a festive nod to the pantomime season, also involves a little audience participation. 

In short, this is a wonderful and funny performance of a much-loved childrens' book which is a perfect Christmas outing for all little (and slightly less-little) Wild Things. To add to the magic, small packets of sweets from Arcadia Sweet Shop, as well as delicious Ice Cream from Spaghetti John's in Castle Quay can be purchased during the 20 minute interval. Interval entertainment is also available in the form of Wild Things activity sheets and crayons which are included with the programme. And magic is really what this show is all about. Max says at the end of his adventure, "I've been gone for ages and my dinner is still hot! Now that's what I call magic..."