“The Boy Who Fell into a Book” is a beautifully written play by Alan Ayckbourn about a boy named Kevin, (Sophie Owen) (or is it Kelvin, or Keith, or Kenneth?) who finds himself transported through adventures, based on the books on his bookshelf, one night.
Accompanied by his hero from his favourite books, Rockfist Slim (Rob Suttle), they try and outsmart and escape the notorious villain, and head of the Green Shark Gang, Monique (Kayleigh Lupton). Battling life size chess pieces, dinner with Red Riding Hood and her large featured grandmother, a jelly picnic with the Woobly family, and a night in a haunted house. Jumping from book to book, looking for home so we could find out how Rockfist can solve the case!
This was a delightful show, Sophie played a young boy perfectly, and reminded me of the female lead playing the male in any panto. Rob’s accent was touch and go, but it didn’t matter, being for a younger audience it was perfect, the imagination did the rest, it was enough to paint the scene. And Kayleigh’s evil manic laugh, and very dramatic stage presence, was the perfect bad gal. They did a wonderful job painting a picture of what it’s like for kids to read books and get lost in them, and honestly, it made me feel guilty that I’ve not picked up a book and got stuck in to the point I forget the time, for a while.
Review by Johnny Banks
Showing at Nottingham Arts Theatre until 30th September
