Fantastic Mr Fox – REVIEW
Image: FANTASTIC MR FOX. Image: STC
This is a very pared down version of Roald Dahl’s popular if controversial tale about a clever fox and his family and the three villainous farmers who’s like nothing better than a fox-fur coat and fox stew.
Dahl purists and those who fell in love with the Wes Anderson stop-animation film should leave their expectations at the door. This is a one-hour, pantomime style production aimed squarely at an under-12s audience. That said, there is still plenty of humour and high altitude references intended for the adults.
Dahl’s lengthier narrative is effectively reduced to one plotline in this Shake & Stir production. The wily Mr Fox provides for his wife and child by stealing food from three neighbouring farmers – Boggis, Bunce and Bean. Said three finally reach the end of their tether with this pilfering pest and they coalesce behind a plan to exterminate the fox family.
It’s all fun and hi jinx, with the bumbling farmers being more like the Three Stooges than fearful hunters.
The physical set for this production consists of a tiered series of sloping ramps, doors hidden in side-walls and floors, and miscellaneous props befitting a household, basement and other locations as required.
However, it is the use of laser projections that really help create the scenery, atmosphere and many of the gags. The projections are used to show a landscape above the ground and tunnelling deep into the earth. They are also used very cleverly to indicate movement, flying objects, and even noxious fart gas.
The occasional use of pop music, some well choreographed dance and fight scenes, and actors with loads of personality make this a very enjoyable evening for kids and adults alike.
