Show: When Another Dragon Roars
Event: Liverpool Theatre Festival 2021
Location: Bombed Out Church, Liverpool
Date: Saturday September 4 2021
Time: 11.30
Running Time: 45 Minutes
Age Rating: 3+
Performers: Lucy Fiori & Austin Mitchel-Hewitt
Production Company: Altered Scale
Writer: Petite Ullaloom
Director: Altered Scale
This is our theatre review for When Another Dragon Roars at Liverpool‘s Bombed Out Church. Now, this is the fourth show of Liverpool Theatre Festival 2021. So, let’s take a look at When Another Dragon Roars!
When Another Dragon Roars
Background
So, the two of them are about to go on a camping trip. Their purpose is to get away from everything and simply enjoy quality time together. Now, Alfie can sometimes struggle to talk, and the same applies to his Mum. Along the way, though, they decide to share stories about dragons. Furthermore, this includes scary dragons, sulking dragons, funny dragons and angry dragons. As their stories continue, they both discover how emotions are tricky beasts, no different to the dragons. And while we need to tame them, sometimes a release of them is necessary. This story uses charm, wit and humour, and it’s both thoughtful and heartwarming. And both children and adults will love this show.
Analysis
This is a show that is easy to understand due to the subtext of what being a dragon truly means. So, we do see the dragon come to life at various points through both Alfie and his mother. And we also get to see the dragon in a more traditional form as well. But as we hear the stories from both characters, we realise that the dragon is more psychological than physical. Indeed, each time the dragon comes to life, the music becomes more foreboding and the lights become darker. However, once the dragon tames itself through simple breathing techniques, it returns to normal, and life goes on.
If this sounds like mindfulness, that’s because it’s exactly that. And I feel that this show does a very creative and clever job of using the dragon to embody stress. Crucially, though, it also highlights the simple impact that deep breaths can have in calming things down so that the dragon escapes. Meanwhile, for the children in attendance, there are plenty of capers and amusing moments to retain their investment from start to finish. And I would also like to mention the add-on of providing attendees with a postcard upon leaving the church. That’s because the postcard contains a QR code linking to further mindfulness techniques that could genuinely help those on hand. And to me that gives this particular show a stronger, and very positive, lasting impact than anything within the production itself.
Summary
This is a fun 45-minute show that both entertains and educates, and it could be essential viewing for some people. Indeed, many people suffering regularly from stress don’t even realise that they will feel much better simply by calming down. And once they do so, the dragon inside of them retreats. So, this production has a lot to offer, and I would definitely recommend attendees of all ages checking this out.
Notes
Target Audience: 3+
Content: No Content Likely To Offend
Recommendation?: Yes
Overall Rating: 8.5/10 – Excellent
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