Street Dreams, Little Cauliflower company, Underbelly, Cowgate, 11.40am

Genre: Bunraku puppetry, but don't let that put you off!

I can't rave about this beautiful, very polished piece by Kent Uni students. I've already recommended to anyone I can.

This beautiful concept is about realising that, ultimately the grass is not greener elsewhere, done through the astonishly engaging puppet of an old tramp who is living amongst the rubbish of the street, and longs for a piece of grass to call his own. He has adventures with discarded banana skins and flexible hosing which come to live and wages endless war against the seagulls, ( made of old plastic bags). He ends up on a dangerous sea journey, gets shipwrecked and finds paradise, but...does it make him happy??

The piece ideally requires entire black-out and the lighting was extremely atmospheric, so hope it is self-sufficient for touring eventually. Musical accompaniment on harmonica, mouthorgan ( they are different!), kazoos, flute, mandolinand accordian conjure the different characters. there is no speech at all.  It is so deatailled in conveying the character's emotions that a slow pace does not dtract and there is planty of action too. The set is completely constrcuted from rubbish.

The young company leader seemed less than keen to rural tour, but suspect they are not sure of its' value yet; also some are still training, but Arts professionals should grab them, and maybe mentor as a new RTA company for 2012??

The title needs a rethink as it conjures up a gritty piece of drama which is far from the style of this piece.
It is highly suitable to tour; mostly a young adult audience, but some younger children, school age and up to 12 loved it.
JO Cheshire