Time Out • The Stage • The Evening Herald • Disability Now
. . . . . . . . . .
Time Out
Amy Simmons
January, 2007
Rating: 5 out of 6
A multi-sensory production for two-to-six-year-olds, "Igloo Hullabaloo" is performed in fully-integrated British Sign Language and English. Exploring themes of sharing and caring, this whimsical odyssey features puppets and animated performances from Charlotte Arrowsmith and Jack Hughes, who excel in communicating a fresh message aimed at developing self-esteem and language skills.
We are introduced to the cheeky Blue (signed by Arrowsmith), and her playful friend Big (Hughes), who live together in an igloo with baby Bairn (Anna-Maria Nabirye). Big attempts to encourage Blue to play with the infant, but she rejects the idea of a happy family and chooses to go on holiday instead.
Leaving behind her icy home, Blue travels to sunnier climes in a bid to make new friends. Arriving at a beach, Blue meets the selfish Blister, who refuses to share his food, and the egotistical Blow, who is far too busy to show her how to sail. Deciding instead to befriend the sea-side animals, Blue becomes pals with a large, orange baby crab who provides lessons on the meaning of companionship, and a portly baby seagull who teaches her how to fly, reminding us that "if we try together we can fly together". Finally equipped with more sophisticated social skills, Blue returns home and lovingly accepts the baby she once denied. In a moment of great intimacy, we watch the lights fade on Blue, as she sleeps with Bairn wrapped in her arms.
The audience of mainly deaf children sat quietly spellbound before the stage. At times, they danced to the gentle vibration of electronic music that pulsated throughout the theatre. "Igloo Hullabaloo" is a sensory journey of discovery that will have appeal for all children, and none should feel excluded.
. . . . . . . . . .
The Stage
Roger Malone
December 12, 2006
Half Moon lives up to its aim of celebrating differences and diversity and encouraging inclusion. The message may be missed by absolute tinies but one senses parents will be answering healthy questions for some time after, such was the gravitational pull of this absorbing piece.
Against Alison Cartledge's simplistic set of colouring-book brightness the production spins jauntily along. As Blue, the disgruntled sister of Big, Charlotte Arrowsmith uses facial expressions and body language to huge effect as she signs her feelings and frustrations. Jack Hughes, gives an energetic performance as elder brother Big and other characters. There is rich chemistry between the two actors as they spark off one another - one mute, the other irrepressibly verbal.
We travel from snow to sun, from frozen wastes to tropical shores in the course of Blue's odyssey. A journey that shows you can have more fun if you include people and don't shut them out. Puppeteer Anna-Marie Nabirye animated baby sister Bairn and other creatures. Original music by Robert Lee put the final icing on this captivating igloo.
. . . . . . . . . .
The Evening Herald
Bill Stone
December, 2006
This year's Christmas presentation for younger audiences is again written and directed by Chris Elwell, with the same composers and set designers, Robert Lee and Alison Cartledge.
The narrative centres on Blue. She shares an igloo with brother Big and baby sister Bairn, who cries and awful lot.
Daydreaming about floating away to warmer climes, Blue finds herself on a tropical beach.
There she meets Blister, a selfish guy who has everything, but no intention of sharing anything, and Blow, who is so wrapped up in sea sports that he has no time for anyone, least of all Blue and Bubble, who talks only in Bubble language.
With the help of Crab, Seagull and Fish, they all learn that sharing, joining in and talking makes everything 10 times better, and belonging is best of all.
So Blue returns home to be greeted by Bairn and Big, who has made a special welcoming cake.
There's a simple set with a blue, circular platform, backed by a glorious sun.
Locations are changed by the addition of an igloo, a sandy beach, flags and seaweed, with first-class lighting to vary the mood and some tinkly accompanying music.
Charlotte Arrowsmith plays Blue, with no dialogue, through she uses sign language to express what all the characters are saying.
However, meanings were not always clear, especially in Bubble's underwater sequence, though fortunately Fish helped out there.
Energetic Jack Hughes plays Big plus Blister, Blow and Bubble, and Anna-Maria Nabirye manipulates and vocalises the puppets, Bairn, Crab, Seagull and Fish.
Aimed at the two- to six-year-olds, this play soon had its audience chuckling away and relishing the physicality of it all - and with total concentration.
That marks it a success in anyone's book. By the way, the book is on sale there too.
. . . . . . . . . .
Disability Now
Raena Raja
January edition, 2007
All of our family went along to watch the play Igloo Hullabaloo a the Half Moon Theatre, with our son Abdullah, 4, who is deaf. The play was a unique learning experience for the entire family; the first time we'd experienced a play where signing was used alongside verbal communication.
Furthermore, the theme of the play was very positive. It was about a girl who is deaf, and her relationship with her brother and a new baby. The girl, Blue, is not happy with her life in the igloo and spends a lot of time daydreaming about far away exciting places and wonderful people and animals.
The story highlighted that communication is not dependent on your oral or spoken language - or the lack of - but there are several means through which successful communication can take place. The emphasis was on signing and the deaf actress was just brilliant.
The size of the theatre was small; it was very cosy and homely. We felt it was perfect for deaf children - you could clearly see all the signing and the performers were engaging all of the children, both deaf and hearing, in their acts. We have been to a larger theatre previously, and our son Abdullah did not enjoy the play. But at this show, both of our children enjoyed the play thoroughly. Abdullah was the first child to laugh out loud. He danced to the music and sat through the whole show. On the way home he kept saying, "nice, go again!".
The play was full of energy, colour and excitement, The signing was beautiful and simple, so that all of the children, both deaf and hearing, could follow it. The whole atmosphere was electric. We felt the play was very positive. For hearing children and adults, it was a very good way to understand and appreciate a new way of communication, and for the deaf children it gave them positive role models.
The entrance to the theatre was small, which might be a problem for wheelchair-users, but the staff were very organised and helpful.
We would recommend the play to every family who wants to have fun and enjoy signing - we will be going to watch it again.
Please close this window to return to the main site