FamilyNorth East & YorkshireReview

Glow – Cast, Doncaster

Reviewer: Sara Jackson

Music: Christella Litras

Writer: Kat Rose-Martin

Director: Keeley Lane

Children glow with delight having accepted their invitation to the annual Bug Fest at Cast Theatre.

Gwen the Glowworm (Dora Rubinstein) is the star attraction of the Bug Fest, with her amazing glowing bottom. The underglade is literally buzzing with excitement and expectation as Gwen, her best friend Francis (Elizabeth Robin) and flamboyant ladybug Le Quinn (Richard Galloway) make the final preparations for the event of the year.

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But oh no, Gwen has lost her glow! She’s just not feeling herself at all, and she doesn’t even know why. Can Francis help her to get her Glow back in time for the Festival? And how will they do it?

Buglight Theatre is a touring theatre company based in Doncaster, that has brought a fun and quirky story to teaching emotional wellbeing to young audiences aged 3-7 years, as Gwen attempts to get her glow back by exercising, meditating and self-care.

Rubenstein’s Gwen the Glow Bug is lovable, relatable and just needy enough so we are on her side without being irritated. Young viewers are certainly routing for her throughout and enjoy her stunning vocal performances and physical performance as a worm (even if they’re slightly disappointed she doesn’t actually do the worm!).

Galloway is endlessly energetic as he changes his characters as easily as he changes his socks. Appearing as a French Ladybug, A “far-out” meditating butterfly, an exercise-obsessed stick insect and a lovable buzzy bee. Each character is completely different from the last, and always engaging for little ones.

But the three performers together are the strength of the show. Giving wonderful close harmonies, physically embodying the bugs and creating an atmosphere of love and friendship.

Christella Litras’ music is the perfect accompaniment to the journey, touching, poignant and toe-tapping in equal measures. And the moments of participation are a welcome opportunity for little wrigglers to get up and have an energy release.

It is great to see that a touch tour has been added to the start of the show, making the performance a little more accessible. There is a small use of Makaton signs in places. However, it’s not the “multi-sensory” adventure promised in the breakdown. Expect an end-stage performance with big characters and a whimsical storyline, which relies on sound and vision to tick along.

Kat Rose-Martin’s script is a little heavy-handed in places with the characters feeling like they are quoting textbooks on mental health and self-care. But the storyline and adventure are the perfect vessel for delivering an important message in a light and accessible way, and the audience is certainly well engaged throughout.

Glow is a wonderful experience for first-time theatre-goers and a great introduction to the magic of live performance.

Runs until Thursday 26th October.

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The Yorkshire & North East team is under the editorship of Jacob Bush. The Reviews Hub was set up in 2007. Our mission is to provide the most in-depth, nationwide arts coverage online.

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