We all know that horrible things happen to horrible people,
and in the world of Roald Dahl, this is a fact rather than mere supposition.
As if to prove it, along comes the Birmingham Stage Company
with their latest adaptation of a well-loved children’s tale, George’s
Marvellous Medicine.
Clearly one of Dahl’s shorter books, the cast make the most
of the tools they’re given through his words and take us on a journey of one
small lad who’s determined to improve his somewhat rude and nasty gran.
She’s invited herself to stay on the family farm
indefinitely as she’s become infirm. And George immediately decides he can
improve on the medicine she’s already on. So while his parents are busy with
their household and farmyard chores, out comes the devil in little George, who
uses every household ingredient from deodorant and shampoo to brown paint, pig
pills and horse medicine. Note: Don’t Try This At Home, kids.
Gran, who he fears is actually a witch, really does swallow
the new and improved mixture, and grows taller than the house, bursting through
the ceiling and looking down on the farmyard – but still being a rude and bossy
pain in the neck to the rest of the family.
This performance is a knockabout experience and probably best
for pre-teens and fun-loving adults.
It’s another winning adaptation from the talented David
Wood with loads of audience participation and a great turn from the adult Ed
Thorpe who’s truly believable as the wide-eyed eight-year-old George.
Dad Richard Mullins, mum Tessa Vale – who passes out
perfectly with shock during the show – and the Deborah Vale as manic gran all
fit their roles like fingers in a glove.
