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TOLD YOU SO - A Musical Hijacking of Aesop's Fables
Verdict: Lively musical fun
London - Courtyard Theatre - Dec 02/Jan 03
Here's a delightful romp through Aesop for adults and children, a great piece of fun.
Not that it's straight Aesop. The old Greek - let's face it, he was po-faced and unbearably smug -
gets his come-uppance with élan. A gifted cast - of Cat, Fox, Farmer, Farmer's Son, Lion, Crow, Wolf, and
some delightful frogs, plus Zeus - deliver a fast-paced story with a million twists. Virtue doesn't always win, but
right (and love, of course) triumphs in the end, and we're left smiling with delight.
There's hunger in the forest. Lion, King of the Beasts, has to authorise the stealing of sheep from the Farmer's
field by Fox and Wolf - so Farmer wants to kill him.
Cat's in love with Herbert the Farmer's Son, but Herbert's pledged to his combine harvester.
Fox is cunning, Wolf's a little thick (but aimable).
If Lion doesn't marry, Zeus won't let him be King anymore.
The Frogs want a king, but Zeus is in no mood to be bothered in his bath.
Lion fancies Cat, but would quite like to hang on to his claws and teeth.
Crow's watching with interest, eating cheese.
There are fine performances from an outstanding cast.
Holly Boothby's a hilarious bumpkin Herbert (with combine-harvester issues), and foxy Queen of the Foxes (very bushy tail).
Melody Bridges is a purrfect cat, bringing an impish charisma to this telling romantic role.
Laura Collins is shifty, cunning and artful as Fox, and fabulous as New Yoik moll Aprodite.
John Finnemore's goody-two-shoes as Aesop's Brother, and spendidly 'Ged Orf Moi Land' as Farmer Silas.
Alex Gaumond's, slinky and funny as Lion, with a fine line in slighted dignity, excellent as Oscar, and very funny as Thor.
Debbie Morris is a delight as sharp-talking, sharp-dancing, sharp-witted Crow, and frog Jebediah.
Noah Rutter creates a memorable comic character out of Wolf, and a wholly different one out of bearded and imperious Zeus.
There's a set of delightful songs (I'm Hungry, Herbert, Put a Pebble in a Pitcher, I've Got Cheese in My Beak,
Coeur de Lion, Oh Mammy If You're In Heaven, MC Muckspreader, Told You So, Oh Zeus You Are So Marvellous, Wolf!, Wolf Again!, This Time I Mean It!, I Never Think About You Anymore, The Word Was
Frog, Lonely, Fabulous Fantastic Flying Future Frog, Lions in Love, as examples) pulsing through the show (which links Aesop's fables, subtly perverted, to make a credible
continuous plot). There's superb choreography for the excellent and enjoyable dance routines by the cast. Told You So's an
endearing entertainment, and crackles with originality.
Cast (alpha order): Holly Boothby (Herbert, Sonia, Queen of the Foxes). Melody Bridges (Cat, Obadiah). Laura Collins (Fox, Aprodite).
John Finnemore (Narrator, Silas the Farmer). Alex Gaumond (Lion, Oscar, Thor). Debbie Morris (Crow, Jebediah). Noah Rutter (Wolf, Zeus).
Band (programme order): Joseph Craig (Keyboard). Sacha Wilson (Drums). Tarek Modi, Peggy Sutton (Bass).
Crew (programme order): John Finnemore (Book and Lyrics). Joseph Craig (Composer & Musical Director).
Matt Applewhite (Director). Maira Vazeou (Set Designer).
Alex McArthur (Costume Designer). Rose Clarke (Assistant Design).
Tracey Lorraine Evans, Holly Boothby (Choreography).
Lauren Elman, Premma Mehta (Stage Managers).
Richard Mathews (Production Manager).
Press - Kevin Wilson Public Relations - Kevin Wilson, Mark White. Presented by - James Seabright at Bright Choice.
END
John Park
reviewed Wednesday 18 December 02 / Courtyard Theatre
Fringe Report (c) Fringe Report 2002-2008
www.fringereport.com
