The Bureau Of Untold Stories: Children’s Improvised Theatre ~ Adelaide Fringe 2020 Review  

CHILDREN’S/Interactive ~ SA PREMIERE ~ INT] The Arch at Holden Street Theatres, Sat 29 Feb. The Bureau Of Untold Stories is an imaginative use of improvisation theatre aimed at children. Our Super Sleuths are here to save the world’s stories from the super-villain ‘Eraser’ – and it’s clear what he or she does! There is plenty of audience interaction in this show, the audience providing selections, words and simple word and number seeds for the complete flights of imagination that each mini-drama quickly becomes. According to Mr 8, the best bit was when Tiger was interpreted as Tiger Shark (I guess to make it Australian?), then augmented to Tiger Shark Dinosaur and one of the actors become it, out of the water and asking for help. When you go see this show the audience seeds will lead to completely different adventures, different characters and other silly situations that will be just as memorable. Importantly the show is as much about stimulating our imaginations as anything else. The set is simple, though the way it is set out I expected more of a detective story (as it looks like you’d imagine a detective’s office would, certainly full of clutter and clues). The show starts with Bobby on stage making and collating notes in a tiny notebook – clearly evaluating information until the play gets underway with her exclaiming that she can link all of the evidence. From that point the show is the series of improvised pieces – often wild flights of imagination. The younger members of the audience held their concentration through much of it and there were enough changes along the way that they were bought back to the stage and the show quite well. Mr 4 described the show as ‘amazing’. It was fun, imaginative and a great way to learn about the techniques of theatre, as well as an introduction to the ideas of improvisation (and just how silly actors can sometimes be!). 4 stars Clayton Werner The Bureau Of Untold Stories continues at The Arch at Holden Street Theatres and Domain Theatre at Marion Cultural Centre, at various times, until Mon 16 Mar. Book at FringeTIX on 1300 621 255 or adelaidefringe.com.au. Click HERE to purchase your tickets. #ADLfringe #HST Presented by Brymore Productions This article made available courtesy of Radio Adelaide.