One Small Step

We pretty well know how One Small Step will end. The question is how enjoyable will the journey be to reach the climax of Neil Armstrong’s first tentative footstep on to the moon’s surface. The answer is a fun trip for all ages.

On entering the Wildman Room the set grabs your attention. It is an assembly of 1950’s, 1960’s and everyday objects. A carousel slide projector is the most high tech object on display. The stage is littered with plastic buckets, cardboard boxes, tubes and much more. As actors Robin Hemmings and Oliver Hollis trace events beginning with the Russians launching of Sputnik, their purpose is revealed. For example, a cardboard tube makes an ideal rocket.

The approach is light hearted and playful as dozens of characters are played to take the story forward. Nevertheless, the engineering is accurately described in an understandable way. Writer David Hastings has achieved the right level of detail and Director Toby Hulse keeps the action moving from start to finish.

Theatre companies now have the technology to employ all kinds of complex techniques. It is refreshing to see, for example, how the simplicity of showing a tin of spam on top of a cardboard tube as command module is so wonderfully effective. An epic story, told with great enthusiasm and imagination.

****

Ben

www.oxfordplayhouse.com 

Fringe Programme Page No

p221

Company

Oxford Playhouse

Venue Name and Number

Assembly  Wildman Room  V3    (f8)

Dates and Times

31st  July  to  25th  August  17:00  to  18:00

Comedy 2008

Music 2008

Others 2008

Theatre 2008

Musicals 2008

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