Another sequence sees the pirates hypnotised by O'Greed and turned into animals. Some children in the audience, eyes wide with concern, look as though they are ready to run onto the stage and rescue their beloved characters.
Even some sporting equipment is cleverly deployed as props. A hula hoop steers the imaginary ship. Hockey sticks double up as cutlasses, and the big moment of crowd interaction—with performers dashing into the audience—proves enormous fun for small and big kids alike.
Essentially, it walks the plank skillfully between effervescent dance, social satire and family show without feeling trite or twee. It’s a little treasure indeed, full of heart and infectious energy. There's enough depth to sate older people, cute storytelling for little ones, and a versatile team of dancers for pure dance aficionados. That Clevillé can throw in themes of interconnectivity, our consumerist society and self-actualization is extremely impressive and sophisticated. The fart jokes work too—who doesn't enjoy a fart joke! I guess it's a reminder that we're all children, really.
The show tours across Scotland, heading to Eden Court, Inverness, Macrobert Arts Centre, Stirling and His Majesty's Theatre, Aberdeen, until July 20th.
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