Fantastic Mr Fox
Rubber Duck Theatre
C central, August 4-19
***
Everybody’s favourite Roald Dahl story (with maybe the exception of the BFG) is brought to the stage in this intimate and fun production. The foxes are suitably cute, Boggis, Bruce and Bean are irredeemably nasty and the story is given a lift here by the engaging narration of Mr Badger and a great use of animation.

The poetry of the book lends itself well to performance, but the chorus could be a little tighter. Likewise the comedy slapstick lacks the necessary oomph to make it sharp and slick, though admittedly it’s hard to put your heart in to it when someone’s coming at you with a spade.

For grown-ups Dahl’s classic story of a family of foxes driven underground serves as poignant, timely allegory of persecution. For kids, it’s all about our furry friends winning out in the end. Nicely done.

by Jane Buffham