Wednesday 12th May 2010 @ Bristol Old Vic, Bristol
Showing as part of Mayfest 2010, Bristol’s festival of contemporary theatre

Uncle John, come on through! Cousin Matthew, you old devil! Auntie Jane, good to see you! Nephew Steven, it’s been a long time – how are you? Tonight’s show hasn’t begun yet but Little Bulb Theatre are at the door encouraging the audience to write themselves name badges so they can be identified at the Welles-Ferry Family Reunion 2010. It seems the younger generation have brought all the family together tonight under one roof for drinks, snacks and chats and also, for our pleasure, the four most enthusiastic of the family are going to put on a very special folk-opera to re-enact the Welles-Ferry family history.

Armed with a drum kit, a guitar, a mandolin, multiple costumes, several colourful backdrops, a seemingly infinite supply of cardboard props and one almighty operatic voice, Little Bulb take the “family” on a rollercoast adventure of sailors, storms, mermaids and marriage, with a healthy dose of heroes and villains along the way. It’s an all singing, all dancing thrill of a ride that fires along at a frantic pace with actors throwing themselves across the stage and through the audience as they play multiple roles with remarkable gusto.

Our four performers are very enthusiastic and very funny and it’s great to see that they are clearly having as much fun performing as the audience are having watching, clearly straying from the script several times to keep their fellow actors on their toes. Some might see this style as a little self-indulgent but it’s done with such honest good humour that you can’t help but love them.

The audience don’t get it easy either and they are constant asked join in, whether it be by singing along, standing in as the odd character or providing scenery and sound effects. The overall effect is a fantastically fun carnival of music and theatre – an absolute riot!

www.mayfestbristol.co.uk

Matthew Whittle www.matthewwhittleblog.blogspot.com