Showing between Tuesday 21st and Sunday 26th April 2009 @ Bristol Old Vic

The Bristol Old Vic’s young company surprised me with its unique, inspiring and emotive play BRAVE. I didn’t expect a young cast to deliver such a powerful, wise, inventive and thought-provoking performance. Like an abstract dream, I fell into the fantastical and universal experiences displayed in BRAVE.

It’s an astounding play, which has been brilliantly directed and explored by all involved. The audience was brought from laughing one moment to silence in the next. For various reasons we look to forget our childhood: the kiss chase, birthdays, divorce, illness, abuse and death. But for one night you get to re-live the highs and lows of childhood, and life. For myself, a lot of these memories on stage were my memories.

There were moments when you felt like you had been propelled into Toy Story and others when it felt like watching a Hollywood movie. Its ambitious cast of 200 performers from ages 7 – 70 meant they were able to recreate moments which often can only be captured on screen. It brought a new life and experience onto the stage, unlike any I have seen before. Great insights and humour were provided into adult lives including one that played on the game show Who Wants To Be A Millionaire?, doing their own version – Who Wants To Be A Parent?

The music was too incredible, ranging from surreal music reminiscent of Frank Zappa, classical, ambient, beat-boxing and operatic singing. Each piece was powerfully emotive and accompanied the different stories beautifully.

BRAVE demonstrates the talent, professionalism and voice of young people today, and has inspired me to see more productions by young people. It’s definitely fulfilled its promises and then some by creating a brilliant piece of art. Don’t miss out, go and see it quick!

www.bristololdvic.org.uk

Freya Morris
Toby Farrow www.farrowscreative.com