Singing pig doesn't lack ambition

The Enchanted Pig: passable porker
10 April 2012

For the second time in three months, the rebuilt Young Vic curiously opts for a show that is more opera than theatre. This adaptation of a Romanian folktale is certainly the most ambitious festive family offering in London, but the musical complexity makes it a tough ask of smaller children, as well as adults with lazy ears.

For starters, there's that old chestnut of an opera issue, how to make out every word, crucial here as there are no spoken passages. Perhaps someone did sing the reasons for the handsome prince's piggification but I certainly missed them. The mixture-of classically and musical theatre-trained voices among the eight-strong cast is also uneasy.

Jonathan Dove (music) and Alasdair Middleton (words) get things off to a spirited start by showing us the three young daughters of King Hildebrand, all with wigs like walnut whips, sneaking a look at the husbandpredicting Book of Fate. The eldest two get princes pure and simple - which unfortunately means they're written out of the narrative thereafter - whereas "a pig from the north" awaits Flora. But you know what tends to happen to ugly animals and pretty princesses in fairytales, after suitable struggles.

So, there's a quest for Flora to embark upon, all over Dick Bird's set, for which "steps" sums up the design scheme. Flora is a vocally demanding role - the part will be shared between two performers - and Caryl Hughes fares far better with the high notes than she does with the emotional range.

Still, there are incidental pleasures to be had in John Fulljames's production, not least a gloriously domestic Darby-and-Joan scene between the North Wind and his wife. Akiya Henry shines brightly in a number of supporting roles. "Enchanted", however? No, just a perfectly passable porker.

Until 27 January. Information: 020 7922 2922. www.youngvic.org

The Enchanted Pig
Young Vic
The Cut, SE1 8LZ

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