Having been widely acclaimed at its debut at the Bristol Old Vic, I saw the second preview of The Grinning Man in its new London home, the Trafalgar Studios.
The Grinning Man is a fantastic reimagining of the classic novel by Victor Hugo (Les Misérables) and is from the same stable as some of the creatives of War Horse, Tony Award-winning director, Tom Morris, and the puppeteers, Gyre & Gimble. Combined with a Kneehigh writer, Carl Grose, a truly haunting and melodic score by Tim Phillips and Marc Teitler (music and orchestrations, with arrangements by musical supervisor, Tom Deering) and set in the magical world of designer, Jon Bausor (Bat Out of Hell), The Grinning Man starts with a prologue by Barkilphedor (an excellent and sinister Julian Bleach).
A large cast of 16 then tell the tale of the boy with the hideous smile, Grinpayne (Louis Maskell), and his beautiful blind amour, Dea (Sanne Den Besten). Maskell has a fine voice which soars and Den Besten brings a haunting beauty to Dea. Along the way we meet the different characters including a sultry-voiced Amanda Wilkin, a goofy prince (Mark Anderson), and a wonderfully comic Queen, Julie Atherton. The Grinning Man is story-telling theatre at its best, underscored by the actors themselves swelling the ranks of the hidden band with sounds from all parts of the globe, including a cymbalon, which lends a distinctive and mysterious, gypsy, flavour…
All the company, lead by Tom Morris, produce excellent work, but I would single out the one who acts the hind-legs off the puppet Wolf, Mojo. Loren O’Dair spends the entire evening, when not playing the violin or as part of the hard-working Ensemble, crouched bent-double bringing Mojo to life. Her concentration and dedication exemplifies the company who create magic in front of our eyes.
The Grinning Man is hugely recommended as there is much to admire. Yes, it is a children’s story - and a dark one at that - but because of some salty language and the 12+ age recommendation, perhaps it is best described as a tale for young adults of all ages.
Book Carl Grose
Lyrics Carl Grose, Tom Morris, Tim Phillips and Marc Teitler
Music Tim Phillips and Marc Teitler
Director Tom Morris
Set Designer Jon Bausor
Costume Designer Jean Chan
Movement Director Jane Gibson
Additional Choreography Lynn Page
Puppetry Design and Direction Finn Caldwell and Toby Olié for Gyre & Gimble
Lighting Designer Rob Casey
Sound Designer Simon Baker
Music Supervisor Tom Deering
Casting Director Anne Vosser CDG
Associate Director Ben Woolf
Yesterday, on 17 October 2017, Adrienne Warren was announced by Rock ‘n’ Roll legend Tina Turner herself as the lead actor in the new musical TINA. Directed by Phyllida Lloyd, the musical will open at the Aldwych Theatre in 2018, with tickets currently selling from 21 March – 16 June.