I only wish Jackanory had been this good.

The Terrible Infants

(2007)
Les Enfants Terribles
Pleasance Courtyard. 2-27 August. 14:40 (1hr)

The Terrible Infants is billed as a children's show, and I'm a gnarly old hack, just the wrong side of 40. So I wasn't expecting a great deal whilst queuing in the Edinburgh drizzle at the Pleasance Courtyard. I couldn't have been more surprised by the treat that was in store.

Created by Oliver Lansley, The Terrible Infants is a series of tall tales told through verse, live music, puppetry and physical theatre with a stunning and beautiful attention to detail. There's Tum, the boy who eats his mum; Linena, the material girl made of cloth; Manky Mingus who doesn't pay enough attention to personal hygiene; Thingummyboy, who no one ever notices, and Tilly and her terrible tail, which grew longer every time she told another tall story. You can easily imagine these working their way into the fabric of fairy tales past down to the next generation. Simply excellent.

Sam Wyer's design is a visual feast. It's all has a very Tim Burton feel to it, like a exquisitely illustrated children's book. There is a magnificent precision to the execution of everything on stage, be it prop, performance or gesture. A professional, and highly talented cast, bring these stories to life. I loved it so much I didn't want it to end. [Pete Shaw]

show info

The Terrible Infants
Les Enfants Terribles

Director:
Oliver Lansley

Theatre:
Pleasance
Preview Aug 2-4: 14:40(1hr) £5.00 Aug 5-6: 14:40(1hr) £8.00 Aug 7-9,13-16,21-23,27: 14:40(1hr) £8.00(£6.00) Aug 10-11,17-19,24-26



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