The Lost Thing, The Royal Opera House - ★★★★★ - Until January 4, 2020


The Lost Thing captures our imagination in this complex mix of dance and opera based on Shaun Tan's book. Using both disabled and non-disabled performers, Candoco and The Royal Opera House provide a captivating show which encompasses comedy to near tragedy tugging at our heartstrings. Amazingly creative choreographer and director Ben Wright deploys multi-talented wheelchair user Joel Brown as Shaun, the lonely boy who befriends “The Thing” – a multi-limbed and amorphous creature played brilliantly by four dancers permanently swarming over each other like a group of octopuses. Forever trying to enable The Thing to get home, Shaun does what he can to help until at last, in a glorious coup de théâtre, The Thing finds it's gorgeously sensual jungle. Throughout, the background shifts with stunning projections by Will Holt. Jules Maxwell's music runs the gamut from jazz to minimalist including a particularly beautiful a cappella chorale. All the singers deserve enormous praise as their sonorous voices deliver beautiful melodies whilst dancers demonstrate just how to integrate all forms of movement into a cohesive art form. This is certainly not an easy piece but it is a wonderful affirmation, conveyed by theatrical means: nature doesn't need people, people need nature.

 Reviewed by D.S.J.

  Our Score:  ☆☆☆☆☆ 

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 WHEN, WHERE, GETTING THERE:
Until January 4, 2020
Various show times available. See website below.
Royal Opera House (Linbury Theatre)
Nearest tube: Covent Garden
https://www.roh.org.uk/tickets-and-events/the-lost-thing-by-ben-wright-details
Map & Location: Bow St, Covent Garden, London WC2E 9DD, UK

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