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Holes
Coventry Belgrade
****
Holes is a complex story covering many
generations of several interlocking families that must have been a
nightmare to stage.
However, it is a good, rounded story well told
with some inventive ideas to support it. I loved the beginning – with
music and puppetry to simulate the hot Texas desert, with snakes, the
dreaded yellow-spotted lizards, tarantulas and a battered umbrella
signifying tumbleweed. The burgeoning friendship of Stanley and Zero
defines the action.
Our literally innocent hero, Stanley Yelnats
(James Backway), who shares the name Stanley with all of his
forefathers, has a cursory trial for stealing a pair of expensive
sneakers from an auction for the homeless and is sent to Camp Green
Lake, a sort of Borstal cum Lord of the Flies outfit that is run
entirely by fear.
Punishment is to dig holes in the burning Texas
sun. Stanley’s new comrades are a motley collection – X-ray the leader
and chief bully (Harold Addo), Zero the bullied (Leona Allen), Magnet
(Joelle Brabban) and Armpit (Henry Mettle) plus Tough Kid (Jeremy Cobb).
The sadistic and voyeuristic Warden (Rhona
Crocker) is clearly in it for personal reasons which become clear as the
action continues. Her second in command, simply called Mr Sir (John
Elkington), terrorises the boys and is terrorised by the warden in his
turn.
Stanley assumes he is cursed because of the
actions of his Great-Grandfather Stanley in stealing a pig from Madame
Zeroni (Rhona Crocker) and her sweet lullaby forms a links between the
generations as the ‘curse’ is lifted.
Camp Green Lake, desperate for rain, has also
been ‘cursed’ several generations before by the actions of Trout Walker
(Matthew Romain) in killing Sam, the black onion seller in love with the
white school teacher, Kate Barlow (Elizabeth Twells) who then goes to
the bad, and steals the next Stanley’s fortune. These two
inter-generational stories intertwine as Stanley builds a friendship
with Zero.
Holes is a fable written for children by Louis
Sachar and there were many children in the audience, always good to see.
I loved how the cameos of the past generations explained the action. I
liked the use of music and in particular the lively dance scene.
However, the Texas drawl sometimes made sentences difficult to follow
and it was often a struggle to hear the lines which spoilt a really good
piece. Directed by Adam Penford, the Holes are appearing until 22-02-20.
Jane Howard
19-02-20
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