THE WATER Babies is a fairy tale and, like all good stories, has goodies and baddies, plus a large portion of moralising.
Charles Kingsley wrote the story to highlight the cruel way that young boys were forced to become chimney sweeps. If they resisted, the boys would have burning straw put at their feet to force their compliance! The Water Babies certainly did its job, as a law was passed in 1864, banning children as sweeps.
The characters looked good and the water babies gave the production the "aah" factor, but the pace was a little hesitant at times. However, Laurence Platt (Potman/Lobster/2nd Prison Warder) sang and acted well and Jenny Green (Mrs Bedonebyasyoudid) added gusto. The company made good use of lighting and sound and the use of a gauze enabled a magical underwater atmosphere to be created. Good effort!
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules hereComments are closed on this article