Holly and Sean are the terrible twins who are so naughty that the headteacher of their primary school, Mrs Spike, is found gibbering in the sandpit. But her replacement proves more than a match for the twins – he’s a troll. Any child who misbehaves, or protests at the new rules – which include child labour and no shoes – gets their head bitten off. Are the bright and sparky Holly (pictured) and Sean tough enough to find a way to bring a halt to the Troll’s reign of terror? Hell yes, as Ed might say.
Dennis Kelly, who wrote the book for the hit musical, Matilda, has digested Roald Dahl big time, and this gleefully nasty tale of triumph over adversity for the over-sevens is full of worms, horribly clever sound effects of children being chewed up, purple tongues, jokes at the expense of ineffectual adults, and worse: after the troll has eaten little Tommy Anderson his burps smell of the poor child’s feet. This is simple but cracking storytelling directed by George Perrin in the Paines Plough Roundabout pop-up theatre, which boasts an ideal intimacy and encourages audience interactivity. Sian Reese-Williams and Abdul Salis work hard, and always to good effect.
The story may be a well-worn one, and it’s definitely played for laughs, but it can be read in several different ways as parents, school inspector, policeman – even the prime minister – refuse to believe what the children are telling them. In the end, of course, the children have to take matters into their own hands and the Davids triumph over Goliath.
Good, nasty fun that shows that while asking “Why?” can be a wind-up, it can also save your life.
• At Roundabout theatre, Brighton, until 16 May. Box office: 01273 709 709. Then touring until 18 July.
