Review: ADELAIDE FRINGE 2016: THE ROAD THAT WASN'T THERE Is A New Folk Tale In The Making

Reviewed by Christine Pyman, Tuesday 16th February 2016

There are worlds beyond the one we know, and The Road That Wasn't There, currently playing at the Bakehouse Theatre, leads you to one of them.

How many roads are planned but never built? These roads appear on maps but aren't really there, or at least not yet, or maybe never. This is the fascinating premise behind this delightfully dark fable that will appeal to both older children and those adults that have retained an eternal curiosity.

New Zealand has a wealth of folklore, some of which makes it way into the story of Maggie, played by Elle Wootton, now an older woman, and her adventures in childhood. The story swings effortlessly between now and then, between shadow puppetry, live action and simple rod puppets. Maggie's son, Gabriel, (Oliver de Rohan) is called home by various worried neighbours, all played by Ralph McCubbin Howell, to learn the story of his conception and the adventures of his mother in another world.

The actors draw the viewers into the chapters of their lives from the beginning scene, reminiscent of a 1950's detective story, through the magical happenings that Maggie experienced, to the present day, coming full circle for Maggie.

The entire show is set around the theme of the magic of what is written on paper, how it becomes reality, and is tied in with ancient realities concerning the power of names and the written word. The set is paper based, with puppets of papier mâché and cut paper, with the acts divided into chapters, all tying in with the idea of the telling of a story. This is so appealingly and apparently simple, but the subtly layered symbolism adds richness that is realised upon reflection. As a bonus, the soundtrack composed by Tane Upjohn-Beatson is available to purchase to experience as on ongoing memory.

All in all, this is an enthralling experience that will stay embedded in your psyche and enrich your life every time you open a map.

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