Tales From Tumblewater opens with a sound track of rain, gloomy light and glorious verbal descriptions of degrees of deluge experienced constantly in Tumblewater town. Solo performer Edward Jaspers's adroit vocal delivery and accomplished mime skills make this potentially driech hour an hour of splendid storytelling, directed by Caroline Horton. He bounces around the stage with a rare finesse, using his prop ladder as many different settings through which the central character Daniel Dorey finds himself driven by circumstances.

Daniel Dorey is an orphan, recently released into a terrifyingly unkind world from the orphanage in which he has spent all his life. Where he lands, twisted landowner Caspian Prye controls everything and everyone, even the police. At 16, all plans made for him by the people who run the orphanage are scuppered by scurrilous thieves and he is catapulted into many a chase, as he hunts for his long-lost sister.

Throughout Daniel's journey he introduces choice characters with Grisly Tales. Edward Jaspers delivers each of them with gusto and skill. He plays tin whistle and mandolin from time to time, creating atmospheric change and melodious interludes, changing the rhythms of this fast-paced tale in delightful moments of stillness. He plays men and women with equal power, enlivened by an endearing playfulness.

Edward Jaspers is handsome and personable, winning with easy charm and graceful, centred acting. Each of the characters is well-drawn and distinct. There are horrid caricature humans, magical beings, and others - genuinely nuanced, likeable people - peppered through the narrative. The performer's movement pieces are a tour de force of mime laced with delights of articulation. He uses many voices, changes of pace and style, while maintaining a strong, clear central thread and creating an atmosphere of warm-hearted, non-threatening camaraderie from the start.

Music, original songs, Nuala's Orphan Song (traditional melody), Daniel's Lullaby (traditional lyrics), and the lighting all work well to add atmosphere and flavour the narrative. Tales From Tumblewater is a sparkling diamond of a show: magical storytelling for all ages.

Cast Credits: Edward Jaspers - Actor.

Company Credits: Writer - Bruno Vincent & The Company. Writer - Caroline Horton. Director - Caroline Horton. Lighting Designer - Caroline Horton & The Company. Sound Designer - Caroline Horton & The Company. Technical Operator - uncredited. Producer - uncredited. Company - Teasel Theatre. Website - www.teaseltheatre.co.uk. Thanks to: The Brewhouse Theatre, Taunton and others.

END

(c) Lilian Kennedy Brzoska 2011

reviewed Wednesday 10 August 11 / Pleasance Courtyard, Edinburgh, UK

Fringe Report (c) Fringe Report 2002-2012

www.fringereport.com