Review: 946: THE AMAZING STORY OF ADOLPHUS TIPS, Birmingham Rep, 10 October 2016

There's a buzz of excitement in the air whenever Kneehigh are in town; their joyful, anarchic style combined with a strong emphasis on storytelling is popular with all ages. The Cornwall-based company go from strength to strength, building international renown at a remarkable pace. With resident director Emma Rice now at the helm of Shakespeare's Globe, Kneehigh's reach and influence seems set to grow even further.

Their adaptation of Michael Morpurgo's 946: The Amazing Story of Adolphus Tips addresses war, displacement, prejudice and family. It's 1943, and 12-year-old Lily Tregenza and the other residents of Slapton, South Devon, are suddenly evacuated from their peaceful village homes. American soldiers are using this stretch of the Devonshire coastline to train for the D-Day landings.

Amongst the fun of making new friends with London evacuees, the wrench of leaving home and the pain of loved ones fighting in Europe, Lily loses her beloved cat Tips. She forms a strong bond with two American GIs, Adi and Harry, who promise to search for her cat. However, their training exercise, Operation Tiger, goes horribly wrong. The US forces are left unprotected in the English Channel and, tragically, 946 soldiers are killed - Harry among them.

Kneehigh's inventive design (from Lez Brotherston) transports the audience straight into the heart of the story. We experience Lily's world just as a child would, with every event portrayed in great detail using handmade and playful props. From a giant propeller to miniature jeep, 946: The Amazing Story of Adolphus plays with size and texture for a truly wondrous and playful effect.

This simple and intelligent design has more emotional impact than the most advanced special effects. A collection of tin baths filled with water becomes the English Channel, mid-battle. Jets of water, billowing smoke and sudden flames engulf toy boats, creating a tiny, poignant snapshot of World War Two.

This low-tech, intricate set design relies on the commitment of the performers to make the piece truly come alive. Kneehigh's exceptional cast run, leap and dance about the stage, manipulating puppets, moving props and Morris dancing with equal energy and enthusiasm. However, some of the faster sequences could do with some polish and refinement; any small slip-up disrupts the magic and pace of the production.

The show is orchestrated by the Blues Man (Adebayo Bolaji), with an almost constant flow of folk, blues and soul music. Stu Barker's original compositions create a warm, intimate atmosphere and provide a whimsical soundscape for Lily's daydreams in the Cornish landscape. Many of the songs are very demanding, with unusual musical combinations that occasionally stretch the vocal skills of the company and expose some weaknesses.

The multitalented cast all give remarkable performances, finding the contrasting humour and sadness that coexist throughout the story. Katy Owen is particularly captivating as Lily Tregenza. She gives an excellent portrayal of a young girl, with her gawkish, exaggerated physicality, constant fidgeting and sudden changes in pace.

Kneehigh's 946: The Amazing Story of Adolphus Tips represents the best of all there is to love about theatre: an intricate, playful set, live music, energetic physicality and endearing, fully committed performances. The raw, rustic quality of the production is filled with comfort, joy and soul, inspiring a powerful emotional response from the audience. As Artistic Director Mike Shepherd observes at the end of the performance, in a 21st-century world where we are "global citizens", it is heart-wrenching that this show and its themes of war, refugees and prejudice still resonate so strongly.

Photo: Steve Tanner

946: The Amazing Story of Adolphus Tips is at Birmingham Rep until 15 October.

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