A charming but gently paced new puppet show has washed up in North London, bringing a beloved children's book to life. The Storm Whale, an adaptation of Benji Davies's 2013 picture book and its sequel, is currently enchanting audiences at Little Angel Studios in London until 24 January.
A Whimsical Seaside World
The production, directed by Matt Aston, opens by painting an idyllic coastal scene. Designer Lydia Denno creates the cosy home of Noi and his fisherman father, complete with colourful bunting, sandy floors, and views of a stripy lighthouse. The atmosphere is one of romantic solitude, a fitting backdrop for a story that sensitively explores a child's loneliness.
Young Noi, played by Emily Essery, feels forlorn while his dad, Richard Lounds, is away for long days at sea. The narrative tenderly sketches in the absence of Noi's mother, adding emotional depth to this family's story. The central drama begins when a fierce tempest, beautifully choreographed by Hayley Del Harrison to Julian Butler's jig, washes a little whale onto the shore.
Puppetry Magic and Solemn Messaging
The show's undeniable highlight is the whale puppet itself, a squishy, quivering creation by maker Keith Frederick, brought to life through Sue Dacre's puppet direction. Its glinting eyes and palpable sense of wonder are a delight. In a sweet detail, Noi's six cats are named after coastal towns, with the marmalade one called Sandwich.
While the script is touching and evocative, the adaptation's earnest tone is noted as a potential drawback. The dialogue can be wearyingly solemn, with the show's messages about solitude and friendship growing repetitive. Some critics feel the production misses the raucous fun of previous Little Angel hits like The Singing Mermaid.
Flights of Fancy and Brief Adventures
The show is framed by the character Flo, played by Géhane Strehler, whose references to a 'midlife crisis' may puzzle the target audience of four to eight-year-olds. More successful are the imaginative leaps, such as pondering the strawberries-and-cream taste of licking the lighthouse.
The two main set pieces—Noi returning the whale to the ocean and, in a second half based on The Storm Whale in Winter, the rescue of Noi's father at sea—are praised but considered too brief. Jason Salvin's creative lighting design and stirring sea shanties add to the maritime atmosphere, yet the overall feeling is that with wilder humour and a more adventurous spirit, the show could have been a true storm of success.
Ultimately, The Storm Whale is a visually attractive and sensitive production that faithfully captures the heart of Benji Davies's stories. It offers a warm, if slightly quiet, theatrical experience for young families seeking a tale of friendship and the natural world.
