Brisbane's Kids

Review: Eric the Red, Hero of the Vikings – Brisbane Library Holiday Show

I’m having trouble putting into words my thoughts on Eric the Red. For a free performance that is somewhat educational and entertaining I guess you can’t complain. I do think though that “The Tale of Bob the Bilby” was more engaging.

Eric the Red is a pantomime of puppets, some bought some very much home made. The lady who operates them doesn’t really change voices for her puppets. I think she means to but they all really end up sounding the same. They have a person playing the keyboard and working the sound effects. This is a good addition to the show, though it was a bit loud over the puppets at points.

Eric kisses his wife goodbye to go overseas to acquire more land, kids are recruited to help row the boat. Eric lands ashore to discover a castle and finds it guarded by a dragon. He sends the dragon off and rescues a princess who decides to run away. After another adventure that sees him fight and be sat on by a large bear with a play amour vest strapped on to him, he rows back home. Happy to be with his wife again he decided to stay and become a farmer.

I wouldn’t call it a slick production but it seems that really doesn’t matter to children. I did think it could be shorter and my friend agreed with me. They could have condensed it to 30 minutes instead of 45, and you wouldn’t have lost anything. Our kids were ready for something else and asking if it was finishing soon.

Have you read my post on the other library show The Tale of Bob the Bilby?

Regards

Glenys

© 2009 Brizzy Kidz.