REVIEW | The Box of Delights, The RSC
Written by Hollie
Disclaimer: gifted tickets in exchange for an honest review
Caution: This show includes flashing lights, strobes, loud noises, smoke/haze, guns are seen but not fired, mentions of death and loss of family members, kidnap, mild threat and peril, magic/wizardry.
Its not the first time that the wolves have been running…
In the RSC’s Royal Shakespeare Theatre this Christmas, a modern adaptation of John Masefield’s novel from 1935, The Box of Delights is on offer for families, children and adults alike. The Box of Delights is a fantastic alternative to viewing a Christmas Pantomime with the family.
For those of us who like to daydream, find magic fascinating as well as dark, and have a strong imagination, this production provides joy and a drop of dew on a Winter’s evening! There is no bleak midwinter here!
With a diverse cast of experienced actors, this production is truly marvellous and magical from the beginning and takes us all back to our childhoods with the anticipation and excitement of Christmas around the corner.
The play tells the story of Kay Harker, played by Callum Balmforth, an orphan who is on the train on his way to spend Christmas with his guardian Caroline Louisa. On the train he meets Mr Hawlings, played by Stephen Boxer, an interesting character who asks him to keep hold of a small magical box known as The Box of Delights. Mr Hawlings confides in Kay and explains that a villainous magician known as Abner Brown has been chasing him and is desperate to be in possession of the box.
As the snow starts to fall outside, Kay arrives at the home of Caroline Louisa and is greeted by brother and sister duo Maria and Peter Jones, played by Mae Munho and Jack Humphrey who are also orphans, and are spending Christmas in the village of Condicote with Caroline Louisa. Mae and Jack’s performances are superb and they play the sibling relationship of rivalry and bickering extremely well. For the audience, their partnership offered many moments of humour and laughter.
As the story develops, more and more of the magical and mystifying scenery is revealed and it adapts as each scene is told. Along with the use of technology and image projection, which blends in with the stage and props, this play is spectacular and is a feast for the eyes and senses.
The puppetry used throughout the show for Barney the dog and for the different vehicles is incredible, and works beautifully with the live orchestra, the lighting and the adaptable scenery. The sound effects appeal to your senses throughout the show and at times you don’t want to blink for fear of missing a trick or secret on stage.
Whilst the magic and mystery appeals to your senses, you are warm and cuddly with apprehension as you are given an inkling that something bad might happen soon. Richard Lynch who plays Abner Brown, is a frightfully authentic magician and along with his rat, played by Tom Chapman, both play incredible representations of the bad characters.
The play appeals to everyone with its themes of magic, fantasy and mystery. The novel was written in a time before C.S. Lewis’s The Chronicles of Narnia and J.K.Rowling’s Harry Potter, but there are many similarities with the use of puppetry and shadows emulating ‘The Tales of Beedle the Bard’ from Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows as one example.
Christmas itself depends on Kay, as the story moves through time and place. As Kay learns more about the treasured box and has the ability to travel through time, he learns that he can travel through time but not change it.
The carol singers of Condicote are delightful and sing throughout the production which really gets you in the spirit of Christmas! The magnificent costumes also add to the magic of the show and they are authentic for the characters, whether they are magical or human and for the period of time. The final scene where the characters, scenery, projection, music and acrobatics come together is absolutely spectacular and I will remember the beauty of that scene for a very long time.
The show is a lovely mix of song, magic, panic, fear, love and joy! It provides tidings of comfort and joy. Tidings that Abner will try to destroy as Christmas is cancelled.
What are the delights inside the box? Do you dare to dream? Is everyone safe at last?
At The Royal Shakespeare Theatre until Sunday 7th January 2024.
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
