Remember, Remember, Z-arts, 3 Nov
Remember, Remember is a production for 4-7 year olds (stated on its website), set in a dystopian future where it is aimed that imagination is non-existent and everything is drab and dull. It follows the tale of two storytellers, imprisoned for being creative, and manages to include various traditional tales also, in an intelligent and engaging way; allowing the audience to interact with and aid the characters with their own previously existing knowledge.
Overall there are three characters, but actually only two actors- playing Spig and Spog, the two captives. The actors display singing, dancing and acting, and everything is exaggerated; making it particularly easy for the young audience to understand what is going on. Generally they acted well and meaningfully, but sometimes when talking to the audience within the performance they fell slightly out of character, which was a shame.
Anyhow, the story itself is very well written; it is very child friendly and has a nice ending and appropriate dilemmas, like most young child’s stories. The plot is consistent and never boring, and introduces sections where the audience become involved with the actual play, interacting with the characters and interweaving into the plot.
These interactive points are definitely the highlight of the performance- the audience are recognised as other prisoners and the children especially love talking to the characters, and influencing the story line. In parts the whole audience (including the adults) are up on their feet jumping, or dancing (the orders of villain ‘Regi’, owner of the prison). It is very active and children get chances to share their views with everyone and become part of the whole story. Right from the very beginning it is obvious that the protagonists are regarding the audience as other characters!
In an attempt to make the story more ‘intimate’ and inclusive, it is staged in a tent. The audience are seated in the middle, on the floor, whilst the actors perform around them. It is actually a very good idea, as everybody can see and, as there is no roof on the tent, at no point is it too hot or too cramped either! As the actual story is set in a prison cell, the tent is painted accordingly with minimal but effective decoration. As the performance developed the audience became enveloped and entranced with the story and it actually became very believable and atmospheric. The only problem with this setting is that you have to be one of the first people inside the tent to get a seat place, which can be useful as your back will start to ache at some point throughout the hour show.
Throughout the play, more atmosphere is achieved using lighting, sound and projections. Each light fits perfectly with the event, and some are actually used as objects during the performance, which is an interesting touch. The sound and music are the same, timed exactly with the acting and lighting, and giving a vibrant and appropriate mood. Various traditional tales are projected onto the tent wall, which fit in with the story and is easy to understand.
Another criticism which I have to make is that a few words which the play revolves around are quite hard for young children to understand. They were repeatedly asking what ‘imagination’ meant, and I felt that it would be useful to have a simple definition inserted into the story somewhere.
Overall, however, the whole audience (even the adults) were impressed and sucked in to the story, and thoroughly enjoyed it. It was extremely appropriate for about ages 3-6, (although the website states 4-7), and was completely worth the time and money. All in all, Remember, Remember was an excellent play that I would recommend for any family with young children.
