‘Land of Clodhoppers’

Press, 30 June 1982, Page 16

‘Land of Clodhoppers’

"The Land of the Clod hoppers and Other Stories” written ■ and directed by Richard Huber for the Riccarton Players. Wharenui School Hall, Matipo Street. June 28 until July 4. Running time: 6.30 pm. to 7.40 p.m. Reviewed by Gerrit Bahlmdn.

Greeted by the warmth of familiar Beatle melodies, the small audience was introduced to a five-man clown troupe. With energy and entrancing simplicity an hour of well-paced children’s theatre filled the virtually empty school hall. The performers were well rehearsed and sufficiently disciplined to give of their best. This venture by the Riccarton Players is unusual in that its timing failed to make use of the normal school holiday slot.

Parents loo'k for entertainment during vacations, and there is always a surfeit.

This experimental timing deserves success. The script is witty and full of opportunities for interaction with the children. A full hall would be enormous fun for the youngsters and performers. The performers use mime, music, and simple dramatic devices that children expect and love. The stories are delightfully absurd, with ample opportunity to establish clown characters. There are three stories entwined within the' presentation. The story telling space is created in the semi-circle' acting area with glue and other odds and ends. The first tale involves the threat to the national hop-scotch championship which is brought about by Flatch, one of thh clodhoppers, who refuses to stop his infectious laughter. The giant Jada, disruptedfrom his sleep, pursues all

the clodhoppers in an effort to silence the unrepentant Flatch. The pursuit romps through the audience and is eventually resolved with the aid of some younger members of the audience. The second tale arises from a picnic outing in which a wicked wind turns some of our characters around. And the third tale involves the wicked witch Esmeralda who is bent on preventing all smiles. The five clowns are Chris-, tine McLaughlin. Martin Phelan, Janet Jamieson, Steve Brinkhurst and Pearl Carpenter. They were well directed and enthusiastic. Their energy and sense of fun combined with a willingness to accept suggestions from the audience made this an entertaining evening worthy of greater patronage. ,