“silliness and slapstick which delights the audience”
Yesterday saw me battling the the remains of the weekend snow, icy rain and wind to arrive at Greenwich Theatre for SharkLegs Theatre’s production of Snow-Pocalypse. Aimed at children aged 4+ this show runs in mornings throughout December.
Crawling on my hands and knees through a tunnel entrance I arrived in the wintry world of Trilby (Christina Forrest) and The Boot (Billy Bilham). Their world is created from a section of what appears to be very random items and bits of rubbish. However, pretty much every single item is utilised during the performance transforming an everyday object such as a washing line into a piece of Christmas wonder. Trilby and The Boot look at and discover each item with fresh eyes, experiencing it for the first time making you wonder what you would think if you saw a cassette tape or a camera for the first time.
They are endearing characters with their own unique language. Despite being the only two people left in the world they explore the stage with awe and wonder. Using pictures from the last book in the world they explore the delights of winter and Christmas utilising the items they have around them showing that Christmas doesn’t have to be all shiny and perfect but it is how you enjoy it with who and what you have around you.
Snow-Pocalypse gives you 50 minutes of silliness and slapstick which delights the audience both children and adults alike. I watched the show along with thirty year 2 primary school children. Their raucous laughter and gasps of wonder throughout the show illustrated what a delightful piece of Christmas magic this is. The final minutes of the show send the kids into a frenzy of excitement with use of a snow machine and a UV light. You leave feeling all warm inside, a smile on your face and ready to brave the wintry weather once again. Even the slush doesn’t seem too bad now!
The show is preceded with a short fun workshop where children can make an item which becomes part of the show that they are then able to take home with them.
Reviewed by Angela East
Photography by Tom Ziebell
Snow-Pocalypse: Friendship Never Melts
is at the Greenwich Theatre until 30th December 2017
