StageTalk Magazine reviewer Mike Whitton takes a look back over some of the shows he has seen in the past twelve months in Bristol and Bath. He reveals his overall favourite and explains why some shows turned out to be a bit disappointing.

In just under an hour the four members of Little Wolf Gang give vivid and lively accounts of three musical folk tales from Russia. The show opens with A Daring Fiddler Meets a Devilish Stranger at the Crossroads, a supernatural story that gives violinist Fiona Barrow plenty of opportunity to display her expressive and idiomatic skills, ably supported by Eddy Jay on accordion. Narrator Martin Maudsley revels in the devilish details, and makes it clear that audience participation is expected.

“. . . All the action takes place in front of a striking backdrop: a red brick wall, emblazoned with the unmistakable Coca-Cola logo in Cyrillic script. There are just three actors, each of them playing a number of roles and quickly changing from one costume to another at the side of the stage. Jill Rutland is particularly affecting as the Bulgarian woman who is not quite sure what kind of relationship she wants with her Facebook friend, and Nic McQuillian is excellent as the young, idealistic visitor from England . . “