LYCEUM THEATRE, CREWE – SUNDAY 30TH MARCH 2025
REVIEWED BY MIA BOWEN
5*****
This afternoon, I attended the ENCORE Festival at the beautiful Crewe Lyceum Theatre. The whole day was filled with captivating performances, puppet-making workshops, and storytelling, culminating in an outdoor screening of The BFG! A highlight of the afternoon was the performance of The Tale of Nobody Nose, presented by Goofus Theatre and produced by Jane Williams, with direction by Paul Barnhill. This enchanting tale follows three clowns: Boz, portrayed by Paul Barnhill, Yolo, played by Gemma Bond, and Flo, enacted by Katy-Anne Bellis. With the assistance of their magical map of dreams, they guide the audience through a series of enchanting landscapes across land, sea, and sky, all in an effort to help a lonely puppet discover his very own red nose.
This charming, non-verbal show was filled with moments that elicited laughter, such as when the puppet, with the assistance of the artists, ventured into the audience and performed a dance on the bald head of a gentleman in the front row. There were instances of pure delight, particularly when the puppet soared through the air with its umbrella, gliding over the audience’s heads. A moment of astonishment ensued when a puppet, twice the size of an adult, made her grand entrance onto the stage.
The show utilised a smoke machine and gently swirling lights to transform the stunning theatre space. Even before it began, the children in the audience could be heard expressing their amazement at the surroundings. The music played throughout not only complemented but also enhanced the storytelling. A white backdrop adorned with draped fabric and a tippee tent provided a creative set that effectively projected images and cast intriguing shadows.
Last year, and more recently, I had the wonderful opportunity to attend another performance by Goofus Theatre titled “Where Do the Noses Grow.” This enchanting non-verbal puppetry show is designed for young audiences and follows Lucy on a fantastical journey. With music woven throughout, the central theme revolves around the intriguing question of where noses actually grow. Julia Frost, the performer and puppeteer, delivers an extraordinary performance, complemented by the talented Rachel Priest. Both puppeteers demonstrate remarkable versatility as they adapt the same captivating story for different aged audiences they encounter. This production is part of Goofus Theatre’s ‘Reach Work’ initiative, which brings theatre to communities and audiences that might not typically have access to live performances. I also participated in a ‘Creative Learning’ session, where we crafted child-sized puppets using brown paper and tape.
I have witnessed firsthand the profound impact these talented artists have on audiences of all ages, from the very young to the elderly. Since most of their performances are non-verbal, the stories unfold through their exceptional skills, drawing from diverse backgrounds such as street theatre, circus arts, clowning, puppetry, and mask work.