Monday 20 August 2012

Shona Reppe - The Curious Scrapbook of Josephine Bean. Traverse Scottish Book Trust 17/8/12. Review from Esther ' Highlights

Nothing about this show seemed particularly aimed at younger children - from the opening music, the set, colours, language and even the mostly adult audience, got me thinking I’d misread the copy for this show. But it is a lovely, lovely show with universal appeal.

In her lab, Scrapologist Patricia Baker turns the pages of a huge scrapbook to reveal, clue by clue, the woman in the life of a Victorian man called Artemus Mood. The pages contain photos, train tickets, seaweed and clues that are closely examined under a magnifying glass with some projected onto a screen so we can all see. The scrapologist pieces together a romance between him and Josephine Bean. But then accounts of Artemus Mood eating alone and taking to himself seem to dispel the theory until, on closer inspection, tiny details reveal the truth – the elusive Josephine is the size of a bean.

This show is clever, quirky, charming and quite magical. Both the scrapbook and the show are filled with lovely details. We are kept wondering what will unfold and the surprise twist gives a delightful ending to the show.

Would totally recommend this fabulous show

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