A puppet for all ages

As we filed through the doors of the Little Angel Theatre in Islington, my friends and I began to feel a little conspicuous. Surrounded by a gaggle of excited children and a handful of adoring parents, we were there to see the production of ‘Go Noah Go’ - a puppet show aimed at children aged four plus.
It appeared we were to play the part of the reprobates. Relegated to the back row, a suspicious usher confiscated our fruit juice, and then promptly offered us a special ‘colouring in’ programme. We were five times the average age of the audience, but we were beginning to fit in.
But, surprising as it may seem to seasoned theatre-goers, ‘Go Noah Go’ is a puppet show that appeals to all ages.
Forget preconceptions of amateur puppeteers flailing behind clumsy screens. This is a sophisticated puppet show in which John Agard’s interpretation of the Old Testament classic is infused with Caribbean rhythm, characters and song.
Mother and Father God, played behind two beautifully crafted if slightly austere masks, are angry with mankind. Noah and his family will survive, but only if they build an ark that can weather a flood and save all the animals.
Peter Savizon and Vanessa White Smith alternate between the roles of puppeteer and actor to bring the story to life, delivering the various roles with effortless grace and humour. Each character has its own distinguished voice from Noah’s deep Caribbean lilt to his daughter, Japhetha’s, cheeky East End twang.
Even the wooden animals, a brightly coloured assortment of exotic breeds, are delivered through uncanny bleats, barks and oinks.
But what really makes this show so impressive is the way in which Savison and White-Smith build a rapport with their young audience. The children are entertained with playful songs, hand clapping and dancing, as the magnificent ark - “Long enough for the length of a snake, high enough for the neck of a giraffe, wide enough for an elephant” is built before their eyes. On completion the young audience are enlisted to help load the animals “two by two” on to the ark. Cue much “awing" and "ahing” from proud parents as the intricately carved animals are passed from one mesmerised child to another. And despite a handful of children misunderstanding the process - “Is this for me?” cried one child, as he clutched one of the elephants - the Ark is loaded almost without trouble.
The flood itself is rendered brilliantly, as the children in the front row are used to animate swathes of blue silk that are attached to the ark.
Savison and White-Smith are adept at entertaining children but their flare is equally amusing to adults giving the production a wholesome family feel. It’s a must see for young family’s and, of course, young adults in touch with their more childish side.

Rosie Stewart

Tickets for “Go Noah Go” can be bought from the Little Angle Theatre Box Office on: 020 7226 1787. Adults £9 / Children £7 / Concessions £5.