7 to 15 October 

This little piece from Theatre Iolo is based on the illustrated book by Arnold Lobel. As befits its target audience, which are early readers, everything is pared down to simple ideas and actions. Owl (George Williams) sits alone in his tree house enjoying the solitude and his own company, but making friends of all the objects in the house. Chief among those is his little alarm clock that seems to enjoy playing tricks on him.

The young audience clearly loved the antics of Mr Williams whose broad movements and deliberate expressions were clear to read. He was reminiscent of Mr Pastry, who some may remember was always getting into a muddle about the simplest of things and by such means endeared himself to a generation of youngsters.

One of the key things theatre for young people can do is get them to become active participants as they watch a show, engaging their minds and imaginations and not being mere passive consumers. One of the things Owl asked from his audience was a list of sad things that could make him cry enough tears to make a cup of tea. One bashful little girl, head buried in mummy’s chest said, ‘Mornings that nobody saw because they were still asleep’. Well if that doesn’t require unpacking by the philosophers, I don’t know what does! One hopes that that little girl will be a theatergoer for life, in which case the Egg will have done its job and Mr Williams will be well rewarded.

★★★☆☆    Graham Wyles 9 October 2023 

^{Photo credit @ Kirsten McTernan}