Review: RABBITS OUT OF THE HAT, Jacksons Lane - Tour
Photo credit: Supplied by the production
Famed circus venue Jacksons Lane has a versatile theatre which is a welcoming destination for families looking for an entertaining performance. That was certainly on offer with Rabbits out of the Hat, the latest version of a show that has been in development for some time. Performers Christopher Howell and Desireé Kongerød play magical brother and sister Norvil and Josephine, aspiring to perform at the famed Egyptian Hall in 1905, the time in which the play is set.
The turn of the century setting ensures that Josephine, who is a suffragette, is not expected to be anything other than a magician’s assistant, but she soon challenges that. Her story, and that of aspirant sequin wearer and tap dancer Norvil is told through dialogue (Susan Earl), audience participation and occasional songs (Micah Young). These vary in their effect, although Howell is adept at some of the patter songs he is given and the words are always clear.
As is all too often the case, although the show is advertised for 5+ families, some chose to bring much younger children, who were understandably restless. However, these experienced performers held the majority of their audience for the 65 mins running time, including the parents who sometimes seem semi-detached from the performances they take their children to.
Against a colourful setting by Jake Evans and wearing costumes created by a number of designers as the show has developed, both performers worked hard to tell their story, using their personal skills of acrobatics and contortion (Kongerød) and magic (Howell). Both are, in fact, experienced in magic performance, but Kongerød’s physical skills add an extra dimension to some familiar routines.
Although the script mentions the traditional sawing in half illusion, it is a version of the Zig Zag lady that we get here, with decoration bringing Klimt to mind. It’s an illusion that is all the more effective for being shown here within the narrative, as is the case when reading a review of the show leads to the torn and restored newspaper.
Several venerable routines are particularly well presented, especially the levitating table (by Howell); and Kongerød’s acrobatic skills add greatly to the effect of her personal levitation. Throughout the show, both performers build in magical surprises, none more effective than the apparent revealing of a magical secret only to top the original effect with a more impressive one. Good to see a recreation of Loïe Fuller’s Serpentine Dance too.
Even the linking rings make an appearance, although in a format not usually seen. The narrative side of the show comes and goes; the characters are strong but rather more is made of Josephine’s aspirations than that of Norvil, whose climactic tap dance in his sequinned shoes is something of an anti-climax. At press night, the final substitution seemed to be amended too, with the trunk, onstage throughout the performance, not used in favour of the sack alone: although the final effect was still a fitting finish with the two characters reversing their roles.
Rabbits out of the Hat is an entertaining and often informative show which is likely to appeal to family audiences, especially where there is an aspirant magician. Incidentally, it’s well worth following the QR code link to the interesting eProgramme and further resources, including a visual story.
**** Four stars
Reviewed by: Chris Abbott
Rabbits out of the Hat is touring around the UK over the next few months, with further info here.