A little Italian girl skips school. She is sick, or so she claims. Struggling with her English lesson she decides to do some colouring, and behold - the characters from her colouring book come to life. One attempts to run the other out in a bid to be the only character left in the comic.

Frederica Siri's petulant child, Gusoberta, is a delight to watch from start to finish. Skipping round the stage in her pink dress and little white socks, pulling faces and climbing on the furniture, she is a very believable 'big kid'. She has a wonderfully expressive face that she distorts wonderfully into entertaining caricatures. Still, despite her energy and commitment the show does not take off immediately. The direction and the script are not tight enough.

However, the story picks up after the entrance of Livia Carli (Tixi). Her character is all action. Tixi is a multi-talented fairy. She masters puppetry and opera singing, balloon tricks and farcically silly magic. Livia Carli's pantomimic performance is just a little strained. At times her brightness comes across as manic and alienates. The gags are not especially original, but still, this is great fun.

The star of the show is undoubtedly Gianni Olivieri (Moxo). This soft-spoken 'baddie' is completely endearing. He is the perfect sad clown. His large painted mouth, ridiculous hat and big yellow hands (four of them) are pure comedy. The most enchanting aspect of this performance is its unforced nature. While Livia Carli, and at times, Frederica Siri batter the audience with their intense cartoon acting, Gianni Olivieri commands attention without begging it.

Giovanna Faraone's colourful costumes capture the mood charmingly. The onstage creation of a giant wizard from a rolled up cap (feet provided by Tixi, head by Gusoberta) is not sensational, but playful enough to keep a child in on the game.

As it becomes clear that Tixi is the real 'evil' in the story there are increasing opportunities for interaction - he's-behind-yous and oh-no-she-didn'ts. Gusoberta chasing Moxo around with a giant pot of Tippex is particularly fun.

The downfall of the production is, perhaps, its pointlessness. It is enjoyable but without a moral, or the timeless gratification of fairytales. The plot may satisfy a child, but there is little for the parent audience. Though the lightness of the production might procure from them a genuine smile, there is nothing ground-breaking about it. The production is rich, with plenty to amuse a child (four to eight years ideally). Very few would not leave delighted - especially with their free picture to colour and free Tixi-made balloon toy.

Cast Credits: (alpha order): Livia Carli – Tixi. Gianni Olivieri – Moxo. Frederica Siri – Gusoberta.

Company Credits: Writer - Daria Veronese. Translation - Jane Hickey. Directors - Gianni Olivieri / Livia Carli. Lighting Designer - uncredited. Sound Designer - uncredited. Technical Operator - Andrea Bianchi & Marcello Garibbo. Costume Designer - Giovanna Faraone. Producer - uncredited. Company - Compagnia Teatro Instabile. Website - www.tinstabile.it.

END

(c) Rebecca Gibson 2009

reviewed 15 August 2009 / The Spaces on the Mile @ The Radisson, Edinburgh UK

Fringe Report (c) Fringe Report 2002-2012

www.fringereport.com