Are reindeer in danger of losing their status as Christmas's favourite creature? First Oxfam began offering livestock as an alternative gift; now Northern Broadsides has come up with a children's play that really gets your goat.
Andrew Pollard's play, very loosely based on Johanna Spyri's classic Alpine novel, is written in goat-speak - which, though a little strange to listen to, is not difficult to understand, as it's basically a variation of English with braying inflections and some grammatical confusion: "It's no use grumblating." It turns out that goats absolutely devour stories. Once they have finished eating a book belonging to the little girl who lives on the farm, the animals retell the tale of the fraulein forced to leave a life of freedom in the mountains to become companion to a young invalid.
Adam Sunderland's inventive production uses a few farmyard bits and pieces to ingenious effect. Clara, the disabled child, is plaintively brought to life through the poetic manipulation of an old duffel coat and a bobbin reel. The company's trademark a cappella vocal arrangements are first rate, including a hilarious burst of bovine hip-hop.
With this strange shaggy-goat's-tale, Northern Broadsides has created a unique, lovable show that is guaranteed to keep the kids amused this Christmas. And children too, of course.
