The Magic Faraway Tree – Pumphouse Theatre, 24 June 2023: Review

The Magic Faraway Tree brings a fairy tale world into vivid life and captivates the young audience as much as it does their parents.

Adapted and directed by Tim Bray QSM, from the original books written by the notorious Enid Blyton in the period spanning World War Two.

All Boomers would have grown up with Blyton books, as well as most of their children. She was a prolific writing machine well before any hint of AI. Approaching billions in sales and I dare say still going.

She has also been the most banned, ostracised and vilified author in the English-speaking world and that takes some doing. Everything from racism, sexism, child cruelty, homophilia to fascism. She wrote the majority of her work over the period that covered the two World Wars and the austerity that followed.

It demonstrates that cancel culture, and academic hokum and bullshit is nothing new. JK Rowling can take heart.

I grew up with these books and read them voraciously. They have become part of the zeitgeist of English culture. They have an adult life with the Comic Strip ensemble. Comedians who made hilarious and affectionate homages with Five Go Mad in Dorset and Five Go Mad on Mescalin.

Maybe there is an element of subversion in her writing, as it has been interpreted by the Tim Bray Theatre Company.

Elaborately choreographed staging, superb costuming and make-up (Vicki Slow), and a set design which is blended animation and clever special effects (Rachael Walker).

The story of a magic tree and all the life it holds, and its connections to alternate worlds, had a source of inspiration from Norse mythology and Yggdrasil, the tree of life. According to some Blyton scholars.

Combine that with a good musical score (Marshall Smith) and this production points to the genesis of the Psychedelic era of Pop culture. Yellow submarines, strawberry fields, rocking horse people eating marshmallow pies.

Big brother Jo (Nikeidrian Peters) and his two younger sisters Bessie (Isabella Temm) and Annie (Jacinta Compton), give energetic broad-stroke performances with good comedic timing.

As do the two older cast members.  Both family security and the funny oddballs. Saucepan Man and Dad (Raj Varma), and Silky the Fairy plus Mum (Jacque Drew).

The most outrageously colourful and painted character is Moon-Face (Jaeden Lawrie).

There is a wide age range of children at this gala opening. From toddlers to teens. It is no mean feat that their attention is held for the entire show. They are all quiet around me.

I firmly believe that children are excellent barometers of art, as they respond naturally with no regard for peer pressure, or what is socially acceptable at any given time. If it’s funny, if it’s rude and especially if it is good, young minds are awake to this.

They will respond to great music, great theatre, great writing with no restrictive judgements.

The Magic Faraway Tree is a super production, and it is wonderful to have it finally come to light, after having endured the shutting down of the human spirit that was Lockdown.

Rev Orange Peel

The Magic Faraway Tree Plays at the Pumphouse Theatre until 15 July 2023
Tickets are available HERE.