Phil Kay – Gimme Your Left Shoe
Gilded Balloon Productions
Gilded Balloon Teviot, Aug 5-13, 15-20, 25-27
****
I bet parents taking their kids to see Gimme Your Left Shoe have a mixture of feelings- joy to see their kids get to go up on stage to have an absolute blast and envy that Phil Kay can take seemingly mundane items – an umbrella, a smelly sock, wool on a stool - and effortlessly turn them into a wicked adventure.

The premise is simple – all the kids give up a left shoe and one by one are called down to bounce on the trampoline and help perform a little skit: the blind folded water pistol trick and ketchup sachet opening challenge are particularly inspired.

Two minor quibbles: firstly the narrowness of the venue makes it a little awkward to get willing participants up to the stage, and secondly that there isn’t anything as bizarre or wonderful or feel-good for grown ups.

by Jane Buffham