There is no doubt that this piece is visually stunning, but it is another show which has suffered from hype and severe commercialisation.
Joey himself is a beautiful animal, as a viewer you are completely convinced that he is real. The puppeteering is top quality and the design of the puppet is fresh and original.
However, the storyline is so simple, I suppose so that it is accessible to a wide age ranged audience, that it is actually quite boring, predictable and skims over issues that could be made more of. Along with this, I felt a lack of development in the characterisation of Albert, who seemed to begin the play with the same tone of voice as he finished it with. It was quite premeditated.
Forgetting the empty narrative and weak acting in parts, the music, costume and spare set worked very well together. The lighting was perfect for creating a dusty, dim war- zone atmosphere. A beautiful moment when the projection of poppies turned into blood as Albert's best pal in the war is killed was one of the highlights for me. As well as when the music came to its emotional climax when Joey was caught in barbed wire in no man's land. There were some stunning frozen tableaus to when the camera flashed to show the pictures that had been taken.
All in all, as a visual spectacular this piece is great, but for me, there was weakness in the narrative, sparseness in the script and the 'stagey' quality to the acting which left me feeling underwhelmed.
My rating: didn't love it, didn't hate it
Joey himself is a beautiful animal, as a viewer you are completely convinced that he is real. The puppeteering is top quality and the design of the puppet is fresh and original.
However, the storyline is so simple, I suppose so that it is accessible to a wide age ranged audience, that it is actually quite boring, predictable and skims over issues that could be made more of. Along with this, I felt a lack of development in the characterisation of Albert, who seemed to begin the play with the same tone of voice as he finished it with. It was quite premeditated.
Forgetting the empty narrative and weak acting in parts, the music, costume and spare set worked very well together. The lighting was perfect for creating a dusty, dim war- zone atmosphere. A beautiful moment when the projection of poppies turned into blood as Albert's best pal in the war is killed was one of the highlights for me. As well as when the music came to its emotional climax when Joey was caught in barbed wire in no man's land. There were some stunning frozen tableaus to when the camera flashed to show the pictures that had been taken.
All in all, as a visual spectacular this piece is great, but for me, there was weakness in the narrative, sparseness in the script and the 'stagey' quality to the acting which left me feeling underwhelmed.
My rating: didn't love it, didn't hate it