All the world's a stage - or at least Birmingham's city centre waterways are, as Sarah Woods' family friendly show takes the audience out of the theatre and on a five-mile journey on a narrow boat. What follows is a comedy caper that takes place both on the boat and on the banks of the canal and the many beautiful old iron and brick bridges that span it. The cast of five, ably supported by community actors and a band, must have been engaged as much for their fitness as for their acting skills. It is a rough and ready couple of hours that combines local history with an adventure story, and if the show scores more highly on novelty value than perhaps it does on dramaturgy, it still brings a smile to the face.
Box is a slapstick, tall story of two baddies, whose pursuit of a small girl and a yellow box is thwarted by security guards, local passers-by and a shark - ah, bet you did not know about Birmingham's very own Nessie. It is executed with verve, although the real star of the show is the scenery. One of the great pleasures is gliding silently along the backwaters of the city and seeing the industrial underbelly of Birmingham's glossy, regenerated face. Snippets of history dropped into the mix include how the canals were cut by Irish immigrants who had fled the potato famine, as well as the building of the prison and asylum. It is a pity these local stories did not provide more of the foundation for the show: it is an enjoyable romp, but the quieter moments are the most powerful.
· Until Saturday. Box office: 0121-236 4455.
