Review: RED at Wales Millennium Centre
Today we had a lovely family day out in Cardiff Bay. We headed down to Wales Millennium Centre to catch RED, a family tale perfect for Christmas. Read on to see what we thought…
Review: RED at Wales Millennium Centre
RED focuses on a time after the bravest girl was lost in the woods, after the animals have left the forest, and the forest has turned to grey. It’s Christmas Eve, and two postal delivery people are searching for the cottage in the deep dark wood, when they meet Peter, the Tree Dweller. All three characters wander into the woods together, and along the way they face many fears. Together they finally find the cottage, as well as the magical person that lives inside…
We didn’t read much into RED before we attended today, it can be so much more exciting not knowing what to expect. However, it also meant we didn’t know who was going to be in it, and we were super excited to see Connor Allen there! I’ve seen him in quite a few performances, and he’s very active on Twitter, and he’s quite simply a super sweet talented guy!
He was joined by Hazel Anderson, Ellen Groves, and Tom Elstob. The entire cast were outstanding, from start to finish they all offered layers to RED, from humour to music, to sincere exchanges. It was fabulous to see such a well matched team, who worked tirelessly upon the stage.
The set was really interesting, with an industrial vibe, and the costumes were fun and really inventive. I loved all the crazy costumes (it inspired me for our mini-family performance at Christmas), clever props and the use of the stage.
The music (thanks to Tom Elstob) was super interesting, modern, yet also nostalgic. I loved the vibe and subtle humour he created at centre stage, with the rest of the cast bouncing off him during certain points in the play.
The story line was very interesting, I loved the concept of the future of the woods, after Little Red Riding Hood. The concept of a neglected woodland, and how we can bring the animals and greenery back, it reminded me very much of the state of the world today. From the palm oil to pollution, we’re destroying the planet one day at a time.
My favourite moment was the discovery of lost objects in the woods, a glove belonging to a child, marbles, and a cape. It was a really sentimental and magical scene, and I loved it!
When it comes to costume and props, there was a lot to love! Granny Red was outstanding, as was the little puppy at the end of the story. I also loved the slime costumes and the clever construction of the spider!
A large part of the performance was audience participation, and when it comes to humour, Hazel Anderson and Ellen Groves were absolute queens! I giggled so much as they bounced off each other, creating feel good vibes within the audience. They had an abundance of energy and it was contagious!
Connor Allen offered a softer approach to his character, and I loved his relationship with his little friend (if you know, you know). He was gentle, yet performed with passion and energy, and I can’t wait to catch him again soon!
RED has really made my week – it was exactly what I needed. It felt so festive and fun, and I think its a must-see for this time of year. It’s funny, interesting, nostalgic and perfect for the build up to Christmas!
RED is on until 29th December, and you can pick up tickets now! If you’ve already seen it, what did you think? Leave any comments below…
