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Docklands24 - Review: Nation, National Theatre http://www.docklands24.co.uk/...ds&tCategory=zwhatson&itemid=WeED19%20Jan%202010%2014%3A02%3A00%3A827[21/01/2010 18:02:30] Choose a title MEMBERSHIP » Log in » Sign Up » Forgotten password Text Only Version Home News Sport Travel Arsenal Tottenham Hotspur West Ham Arts and Leisure Columnists Food & Drink Health & fitness On the spot Docklands Business Browse classifieds Going Green Business Directory FREE 2009 Calender Homes Motors Jobs Competitions Reader Offers Dating Submit a Story Set as Homepage Subscriptions Feedback Distribution Leaflets Media Packs Contact Us About Us Terms/Conditions Privacy Policy Share this with: Twitter Delicious Digg reddit Facebook StumbleUpon Review: Nation, National Theatre 19 January 2010 EXPLORING weighty issues, such as the existence of God, evolution and survival, is a tall order for a family show. But playwright Mark Ravenhill and director Melly Still made an excellent job of it by adapting Nation for the National Theatre. Based on the wit and wisdom of Terry Pratchett's novel, Nation, it is set in a parallel mid-1800s universe, telling the story of a mismatched group of tsunami survivors struggling to co-exist on an island in the South Pacific. Young native Mau (Gary Carr) wrestles with adolescence and ancestral customs, while shipwrecked aristocrat Daphne (Emily Taaffe) rails against her own Western upbringing in a bid to survive. Both turn in genuine performances that leave you willing them towards a happy ending. Running commentary from a potty-mouthed parrot (Jason Thorpe) brings humour despite the life-and-death situations. But while the supporting cast is strong, the production is the real star of this show. Stunning visual effects bring tropical storms and underwater scenes to life on huge video screens. A giant pig and some clever puppetry add an extra dimension too. Although the first half was a little long winded, there is enough vivid dialogue and action to stay engaged until the end. The spiritual and life-affirming conclusion leaves you with a warm feeling inside. Deborah Hatch Theatre Comedy great Lee is living the dream Signs of a Star Shaped Diva, Theatre Royal Stratford Review: Nation, National Theatre Review: The Importance of Being Earnest The Forecast is fine at Greenwich Playhouse WIN! Family ticket for Stratford panto Review: Chicago, Cambridge Theatre Review: Public Property at Trafalgar Studios 2 Review: The Bankrupt Bride, Greenwich Theatre Review: Zambezi Express, Hackney Empire Review: An Inspector Calls, Novello Theatre Review: Sadler's Wells at The Tower of London Festival Review: Sean Hughes, Greenwich Theatre. Review: Rob Newman, Greenwich Theatre. Review: Russell Howard, Royal Naval College grounds. Having a laugh with the Greenwich Comedy Festival founders Review: The Signalman Review: A Doll's House at the Greenwich Playhouse Sean Hughes prepares for Greenwich Review: Le Cirque Invisible
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Docklands24 - Review: Nation, National Theatre
http://www.docklands24.co.uk/...ds&tCategory=zwhatson&itemid=WeED19%20Jan%202010%2014%3A02%3A00%3A827[21/01/2010 18:02:30]
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Review: Nation, NationalTheatre19 January 2010
EXPLORING weighty issues, such as theexistence of God, evolution and survival, is atall order for a family show.
But playwright Mark Ravenhill and directorMelly Still made an excellent job of it byadapting Nation for the National Theatre.
Based on the wit and wisdom of TerryPratchett's novel, Nation, it is set in a parallelmid-1800s universe, telling the story of amismatched group of tsunami survivorsstruggling to co-exist on an island in theSouth Pacific.
Young native Mau (Gary Carr) wrestles withadolescence and ancestral customs, whileshipwrecked aristocrat Daphne (Emily Taaffe)rails against her own Western upbringing in abid to survive. Both turn in genuineperformances that leave you willing themtowards a happy ending.
Running commentary from a potty-mouthedparrot (Jason Thorpe) brings humour despitethe life-and-death situations.
But while the supporting cast is strong, theproduction is the real star of this show.Stunning visual effects bring tropical stormsand underwater scenes to life on huge videoscreens. A giant pig and some cleverpuppetry add an extra dimension too.
Although the first half was a little longwinded, there is enough vivid dialogue andaction to stay engaged until the end. Thespiritual and life-affirming conclusion leavesyou with a warm feeling inside.
Deborah Hatch
TheatreComedy great Lee is living the
dreamSigns of a Star Shaped Diva,
Theatre Royal StratfordReview: Nation, National
TheatreReview: The Importance of
Being EarnestThe Forecast is fine at
Greenwich PlayhouseWIN! Family ticket for
Stratford pantoReview: Chicago, Cambridge
TheatreReview: Public Property at
Trafalgar Studios 2Review: The Bankrupt Bride,
Greenwich TheatreReview: Zambezi Express,
Hackney EmpireReview: An Inspector Calls,
Novello TheatreReview: Sadler's Wells at The
Tower of London FestivalReview: Sean Hughes,
Greenwich Theatre.Review: Rob Newman,
Greenwich Theatre.Review: Russell Howard, Royal
Naval College grounds.Having a laugh with the
Greenwich Comedy Festivalfounders
Review: The SignalmanReview: A Doll's House at the
Greenwich PlayhouseSean Hughes prepares for
GreenwichReview: Le Cirque Invisible
-
Docklands24 - Review: Nation, National Theatre
http://www.docklands24.co.uk/...ds&tCategory=zwhatson&itemid=WeED19%20Jan%202010%2014%3A02%3A00%3A827[21/01/2010 18:02:30]
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Docklands24 - Review: Nation, National Theatre
http://www.docklands24.co.uk/...ds&tCategory=zwhatson&itemid=WeED19%20Jan%202010%2014%3A02%3A00%3A827[21/01/2010 18:02:30]
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