Tom Gates Live on Stage Review

New Victoria Theatre, Woking – until 22 June 2019

Reviewed by Heather Chalkley

5*****

Writers Liz Pichon and Neal Foster have produced a genius script, taking everything that is important in the Tom Gates books and making a play that is more than the sum of its parts. Director Neal Foster has clearly collaborated closely with the writers to get a perfect balance between the animation and the actors. You have great music, great characters, straight out of the 70’s art and fashion – what’s not to love!

Each character is quite distinctive and so I have to commend the actors on their ability to make, sometimes very quick, switches between their different parts. Ashley Cousins is a very funny and believable Marcus Meldrew, a goody two shoes that I am sure we have all experienced in our school lives. Then Cousins flips into the mannerisms of Granny with a feminine flair. Amy Hargreaves carries well two roles that are complete opposites – the bright and ‘always does her best’ Amy Porter and the dark, sulky Delia. Justin Davies makes me laugh the most with Norman’s sugar rush frenzies and manic drumming. Matthew Chase is a great Tom Gates that the young audience loves, leading us through the story, pulling together all the loose ends. Gates brings to life the lyrics with a great 70’s rock tone. Liz Pichon has written lyrics for the songs that speak to the young audience and will be repeated in towns where ever the play is performed. I know I will be humming the biscuit song at work tomorrow!

The genius part of the production is what the Creative Team achieves with the set. A blank screen with strategically placed flaps and doors, springs to life with projected images and interactive doodles. The result is vibrant, energetic and brings the familiar pages of Pichon’s books right on to the stage. Primary school children everywhere are going to love this play, whether they know about the books before or not!