Fancy an evening of family-friendly al fresco fun in Brockwell Park? Then head along to the latest show from Sixteenfeet Productions, Goldilocks and the Three Endings. Arts contributor Sarah Solomon attended and found it perfect summer evening entertainment.
Sitting on a hill top on picnic blankets in Brockwell Park with the Walled Garden in sight on a warm summer’s evening, it was clear to the audience that Sixteenfeet Productions’ promenade performance, Goldilocks and the Three Endings was going to be quite different to your average play.
As the audience waited in anticipation for the production to start, a lively trumpet call in the distance signalled the start of an adventure, with the characters of the magical land Everwasland ascending the slope to greet the audience. Daddy Bear, Goldilocks, Prince Charming, Big Bad Wolf, Sleeping Beauty and the Fairy Godmother captivated the crowd, singing and playing instruments, transporting the audience to the world of Everwasland with its midnight terrors and the towns people’s wish for no more villains.
Before entering the Walled Garden the audience of adults and young children were asked which character they would like to follow. This theme was continued throughout the play, with the audience being able to follow different characters and influence the decisions of each character. Having such a versatile plot structure made it extremely exciting for both the adults and the young children, who were intrigued by the fairytale characters as the story developed in the beautiful Walled Garden.
Writer of Goldilocks and The Three Endings Andrew S Walsh and Director Vik Sivalingam cleverly utilised the Walled Garden, taking advantage of its layout to enhance and devise the structure of the play in an imaginative and engaging way, with the individual stories of each character blending and overlapping at the heart of the Walled Garden. Having such a dynamic plot structure invited viewers to consider what they may have seen had they made different decisions and followed other characters, which in turn makes it tempting to watch the production several times to see all the different possible plot lines. What is also fantastic about this production is that every group that sees this play will most likely make different choices, meaning that the story can develop in a different way every time.
The play was enhanced by the accompaniment of original music by Sixteenfeet Productions’ Associate, Composer Guy Holden. Actors Sheldon Green (Musical Director and also played the part of Big Bad Wolf) on guitar, Louise Shuttleworth (Fairy Godmother) on the accordion and Guy Warren-Thomas (Prince Charming) on trumpet added an extra layer to the storytelling and made watching the play a magical and immersive experience.
Goldilocks and the Three Endings is a fantastic play for young families, providing a unique, interactive experience of accessible theatre. The play is a great introduction to performing arts for the little ones and also to those who may not have been exposed to theatre before. The play also opens up the possibilities as to the definition of what a play can be. With touches of humour and double meaning, Goldilocks and the Three Endings is brought to the present day and provides entertainment for adults as well as the kids. This performance is not to be missed and a fantastic way to spend a Summer’s evening.
Goldilocks and the Three Endings is showing until Sunday 10th August at the Walled Garden in Brockwell Park with morning, matinee and evening performances. For more information and to purchase tickets, visit www.sixteenfeet.co.uk/portfolio/goldilocks_and_the_three_endings/
