4 STARS, August 16-27. An adaptation of Richmal Crompton's novel, Just William's Luck stars Crompton's great-nephew as the title character and is showing at the Underbelly
Adapting Richmal Crompton’s only novel featuring the irrepressible William Brown for the stage is no mean feat and it’s a task Shedload Theatre have met with admirable aplomb. On a set littered with all the debris of schoolboy life William and the Outlaws are trying to concoct a cunning plan to marry off all their older siblings, the payoff for them being (they hope) that the much-coveted reward of bicycles may follow. Such a doubtful prospect is enough incentive to get their minds positively oozing with half-baked ideas and no-one is better at conjuring the latter than William.
Jonathan Massey who plays the eponymous ‘hero’ is actually Crompton’s great-nephew and he seems to have somehow imbibed the very essence of Crompton’s incorrigible creation, superbly capturing the energy, enthusiasm and sense of wonder that make William such a loveable character. Adults playing children can often be a difficult prospect but this very talented cast have all got it pitch-perfect: amusing without being twee, thoroughly inventive and brimming with an energy that carries one along with infectious enthusiasm.
Here at the court of William and his ‘knights of the square table’ (with the addition of grudgingly tolerated ‘Lady Knight’ Violet Elizabeth, beautifully played by Louise Waller ) the Outlaws cause total havoc as they stalk a house and disturb opportunistic burglars in the process. The use of puppets in this section is a real bonus and adds fresh zest to proceedings, as does the way a washing line is hung mid-stage to denote any move to the Browns household where the cast double up as William’s bemused and exasperated family.
Anyone who enjoys a classic slice of children’s theatre, expertly performed, will surely find this the ideal way to start any day in Edinburgh.
Tickets: edfringe.com
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