The Animals and Children Took to the Streets

Written by Caroline Whitham | 21 August 2011

Every moment of 1927’s The Animals and Children Took to the Streets is absolutely infused with gorgeousness. Whether the cast find themselves in the grimy, cockroach-ridden rooms of Bayou Mansions or the heady heights of the Mayor’s office, there is not one second that is not beautifully and intricately realised.

Those familiar with 2009’s Fringe First-winning The Devil and the Deep Blue Sea will be familiar with the mixture of projected animation and live action that is 1927’s trademark. It seems unlikely that you’ll ever see a better example of how theatre and animation can work together than this – characters rise up in lifts, sweep the floor as puffs of dust appear at the end of their broom and interact with drawn characters as though they were real. The skill and timing of the performers is incredible to witness.

The story of slums in an unknown city, the rabble-rousing gang leader that wants to equalise society and the evil mayor’s response – coincidentally a timely metaphor for the recent London riots, perhaps? – is delightfully punctuated by fantastic songs, often delivered in the vicious BBC drawl of writer Suzanne Andrade.

Unfortunately, by the time you read this the show will most likely already be sold out for the length of its brief run. See if you can get yourself on a list to buy return tickets, beg, borrow or steal to see this show. Or simply hope that the wonderful 1927 will be taking it on tour soon. 

The Animals and Children Took to the Streets, Pleasance Courtyard, 19-28 August, 4.10pm