Not Now Bernard and Other Monster Stories

Nuffield Theatre Southampton & Theatre First

Not now Bernard is one of a set of three Monster stories, within a fourth tale about the decoration of a new bedroom. We meet four different coloured Monsters all of which are a little scary. Not now Bernard is the first tale within the tale.

The three performers Milenka James as the children and Purple Monster, Verity Hewlett as the mothers and two Monsters and Adam Ward as the fathers and two Monsters all put on great performances. They made good use of the pleasant set and some basic stock props. I was surprised at the amount of different ways sheets of newspapers could be used, there were also one or two clever costume changes. The three performers keep in their various characters well helped by the cleverly written script, which captures the character and imagination of children of a certain age and shows some of the insecurity felt when a younger brother or sister arrives.

See also 'Abomination'.

Venue; C Chambers Street  V34

Dates;  30th July  to  24th August (not 10th)

Times;   12.30  to  13.25

Fringe programme page number  11