Back by popular demand for 2017, our Brighton Bites series offer short, witty and slightly tongue-in-cheek insights into shows performing at England’s largest arts festival. Hopefully, they will whet your appetite to try something new at this year’s Brighton Fringe.
Here, Topsy Turvy Theatre tells us about their show,Christopher Nibble, which they’ll be performing atThe Warren.
How would you describe your show in one sentence?
A dan-tastic mix of storytelling, stunning scenery, fabulous waistcoats, charming songs and… guinea pigs!
Why Brighton Fringe for this show?
There are many reasons! Let’s be political – Brighton Pavilion is the only Green Party seat in the Houses of Parliament. If Christopher was old enough to vote, he’d be backing Caroline Lucas to protect the environment so he didn’t have to go without dandelions. His story of sustainability makes Brighton his second home. But then the same can be said for our Artistic Director, Claire. This Yorkshire lass comes from a long line of Brightonians. Although she has never lived in Brighton, the city is the backdrop to most of her childhood memories visiting Grandparents and Cousins, Aunties and Uncles. You could say it is something of a homecoming.
How have you been preparing for Brighton Fringe?
Christopher and the gang have been busy treading the boards up and down the country, sharing their tale of dandelion derring-do with children and families since January. Not only that, Topsy Turvy Theatre teamed up with Christopher’s creator Charlotte Middleton over World Book Week to perform their story in schools and deliver author workshops to bring literacy to life. It’s not all work though. When he isn’t performing, Christopher can be found kicking a football around, practising headers, and imagining he won the Dandeville Cup!
What do you think sets your show apart from all the other festival offerings?
Our attention to detail in the production of our props and scenery is really quite something. When audiences first see our set they think it’s beautiful. Then they watch us use it to tell Christopher’s story and they realise it’s more than that. It’s magical, clever and full of surprises – and just as integral to the storytelling as the puppets and lovely ladies in waistcoats.
What’s the show that you don’t want to miss at this year’s Brighton Fringe (apart from your own)?
I’d love to see Oliver in the Overworld as I’m always fascinated to see performances with puppetry at their heart. The fact that this musical production has been created through sign language suggests it is truly inclusive, and I’m excited to see how all
What’s the best bit of advice you’ve ever been given for performing at a Fringe Festival?
Wear sensible shoes.
If your show was a flavour of ice cream being sold on Brighton Pier, what would it be?
It would have to be a flavour whipped up by Mr Rosetti, fusing fresh dandelion leaves with essence of cabbage, sprinkled with hundreds and thousands and served sandwiched between two chocolate-dipped wafers for good measure. Dan-tastic!
Christopher Nibble runs at Brighton Fringe 7-9 May
For more information visitwww.brightonfringe.orgor www.topsyturvytheatre.co.uk
The Reviews Hubis proud to sponsor the Literature & Spoken Work section of Brighton Fringe 2017 as well as being an official Reviews Partner, offering in-depth coverage of the festival.
