Meet Fred at Sherman Theatre Review
Written by Kia for Theatre & Tonic
Disclaimer: Gifted tickets in exchange for an honest review
In association with Blind Summit, Hijinx Theatre Company presents Meet Fred as part of its 10th Anniversary Tour. After touring over 20 countries and delighting thousands of audiences, Meet Fred is back in the UK for a well-deserved celebration.
Meet Fred is a darkly funny show about a cloth puppet just trying to live a normal life – get a job, find love, fit in. But when his Puppetry Living Allowance is at risk, things start to fall apart.
Created by Hijinx Theatre, the cast includes performers with and without learning disabilities and/or autism, giving Fred’s story a real sense of depth.
This production is incredibly clever and relatable. At its core, it’s about how the system doesn’t always work for everyone and how one-size-fits-all solutions don’t actually fit anyone. Expect to laugh out loud from start to finish, but also to leave with plenty to think about in terms of the world we live in today.
When the play first began, I’ll admit I was a bit apprehensive. I hadn’t heard much about it before, so I wasn’t sure what to expect. The show starts with Gareth John as Martin, the stage manager, and Owen Pugh as the director, bringing a box onto the stage and pulling out a puppet. At first glance, this puppet seems simple, a plain cloth creation, no bells or whistles. But once the puppeteers – Nick Halliwell, Llŷr Williams, and Sam Harding – entered, this puppet completely came to life. Within minutes, I completely forgot it wasn’t a real character. The visual storytelling was stunning, and the movements were so detailed and delicate. I was genuinely in awe.
Fred soon learns that he’s a puppet who can't navigate life without his puppeteers. He wants to live independently, but he quickly discovers the world isn’t built for puppets. Fred tries his hand at various things…visiting the job centre, working as a children’s party entertainer, even going on a date, but none of it leads to success. Along the way, he realises that despite his want for independence, he still depends on his puppeteers and is, essentially, being controlled by the director throughout the show. While this is a clear commentary of the system, it never feels too heavy or dark, thanks to the slapstick humour woven into the narrative.
Gareth John’s cameo roles between scenes were a highlight, bringing a touch of The Play That Goes Wrong with set mishaps and things coming on a bit too late. Nick Halliwell, who voiced Fred, was nothing short of brilliant. I can’t even imagine how challenging it must be to control the puppet, act in scenes, and provide Fred’s voice all at once. The performance was nothing short of impressive.
If you're looking for a night out full of laughs, be sure to catch Meet Fred on the rest of its UK tour. The show is at the Sherman Theatre in Cardiff until January 31st or find a show near you by visiting Hijinx’s website.
★★★
