Superbolt Theatre have been touring and performing this show since 2015, when it debuted at the Edinburgh Fringe. They are a talented group of three performers who play the Park family, dad Terry with daughter and son Jade and Noah; they welcome you to the theatre as you enter. There is a to be a showing of their mum’s favourite film: Jurassic Park. She died a year ago and this is a memorial to her. Terry is serious, Noah is enthusiastic and Jade is… well, slightly apologetic. They chat with the audience as they settle. As you can guess, things don’t go to plan at the film showing, everyone blames someone else, revealing the stresses and strains within the family. Soon the cast are miming, dancing  and singing their way through the plot of Jurassic Park; enacting the famous scenes and mimicking the characters, both human and dinosaur.

The actors get more animated as the show progresses. Each slick scene, with clever lighting, diverse music and a few simple props, takes a reference from the film for a seemingly chaotic but hilariously funny reflection of family life. There are all the problems, passions and episodes of domestic existence intertwined with filmic references, pastiches and vignettes. Frode Gjerløw plays dad Terry. Slightly stuffy at first, we see him struggle to cope with his teenage kids. His domestic scenes amusingly juxtaposed with some slinky dancing. Simon Maeder anchors the show as young Noah, thoroughly geeky and naïve. Jade is played by Maria Askew; some fine singing, dancing and acrobatics intertwine with her portrayal of a talented but surly teenager. The cast are versatility personified. Each one adds something special, while blending into an exquisitely created and seamlessly choreographed show which is energetic and entertaining from start to finish.

It’s hard to think of which theatrical devices Superbolt haven’t used in this production. There is theatre, music , dance and mime; acrobatics, rap and comedy. Yes, a lot of comedy. You might be too busy laughing but if you know the film, and there can’t be many that don’t, you will be delightfully satisfied and amused as you spot the references. The gifted cast and their team have clearly worked extremely hard during the creative process to produce such an animated and active show, with so much in it. One can only imagine the hours of hard work and thought that went into devising, writing  and rehearsing this piece. They deserve every accolade and honour that they have received for this show and I’m sure it will be a sparkling success for its run at the wardrobe theatre here in Bristol.  Adrian Mantle ★★★★☆   3rd April 2019