BLTS - Children of Eden

photos above by
Roger Sansom

Reviews:

Children of Eden, Big Little Theatre School, Layard Theatre.

I first came upon this show in London some 15 years ago, and I was not impressed. Neither, it seems, were my fellow theatregoers, as it closed within weeks.

It was with some trepidation, therefore, that I approached this production, but suffice to say that I have now been converted.

The intimate Layard proved an ideal venue for this moving story, which is essentially about the Creation and the Flood but which has a theme of ‘the hardest part of love is letting go.’

Thanks to director Graham Hubbard (an original cast member), musical director Colin Billing and choreographer Lisa Lee, it was a brilliantly imaginative production. In particular, the props used to transform the cast into animals – brooms for giraffes, baskets for turtles, maracas for rattlesnakes – were incredibly effective, and I loved the costumes, lighting and fantastic on-screen images.

And the cast, average age 15½ , left me once again with the problem of finding yet more superlatives to describe their amazing performance. It was hard to believe that I was not watching seasoned professionals, because they all sang, acted and danced with a confidence, presence and ability that totally belied their years, and I was genuinely moved to tears by the emotion displayed on stage.

A wonderful production.

Linda Kirkman, Theatre Critic, Daily ECHO

Audience Comments:

"We were absolutely thrilled by the whole performance and the very least we could do is to send our congratulations to the whole company for a most moving and professional show.The skill and energy of the cast was amazing. We wish you every success for the rest of the run and for all your future shows. Brilliant."

Julia McKinley

"This has been an amazing production and I hope it has given the cast and crew as much pleasure as it has obviously given to those who have watched it.

"You should all be very proud of yourselves. You have worked so hard and you deserve all the praise you will undoubtedly get.

"Once again, many congratulations on the most incredible BLTS performance I have ever seen. "

David Stead

"Many congratulations to you all on a spectacular performance, you should be very

proud of yourselves.

"You are all becoming such talented and accomplished performers and have such great careers ahead of you. Your talents are not just singing and dancing, but

all of your acting skills are really developing.

"Well done you are all a credit to the great team who teach you.

Dont ever forget what Big Little have taught you all."

Mandy Hayes

"Just a quick email to say how much we enjoyed The children of Eden. It was amazing!!

"The production was so professional and seemed faultless."

Elaine Haworth

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Directed by Michelle Guy, choreographed by Chrissy Wickham and with Musical Director Colin Billing. Supported by a Turkish Army, a Junior Squad, Pirate Girls, Sailors, a Harem, Belly

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