Zany Waves

Watching the changing expressions and overhearing some of the unselfconscious questions of the audience of four to 10 year-olds at Compagnie Coatimundi's Zany Waves confirmed for this writer the function of children's theatre. Among other things, it definitely should arouse curiosity, stimulate interest, shock, surprise and amuse. And the French theatre company's production, Zany Waves did all five with a flamboyant yet understated style, creating a gentle and reflective mood throughout.

Right from the opening scene when Jean-Claude Leportier arrives on stage dressed in a boat complete with marvellous glove puppets, a playful fog horn and a hilarious rudder, the audience is drawn into the intrigue of the sea adventures which follow. Catherine Kremer arrives in an equally striking costume, strewn with nets, starfish and exotic glove puppet fish who swim around the boat, luring the puppet fishermen into the dangers and pleasures of the ocean. The absence of dialogue enhances the show as one watches the puppets and actors interact as the story unfolds. The action slowed down in parts - leaving some children a bit restless but maybe, in another way, subtly teaching them to watch and wait rather than always receiving immediate results. And the wait was usually worthwhile as a lighthouse blew up in a puff of smoke and a massive sea creature emerged before them only to be masterfully speared to death by a Leonardo da Vincilike character (Jean-Claude Leportier, again) who sprouted wings in the process of his escapades.

The children also got to take part in the action when Kremer invited several of them to simulate the waves - first calm and then fiercely stormy - in a shared flapping of a large piece of blue silk. A beautifully crafted and highly imaginative show.