In Georgian England, Caroline Crachami was known as "the Sicilian Fairy". Eight years old and just over 19in tall, Caroline was exhibited in freak shows and subsequently in Bond Street rooms where royalty flocked to see her. Even after her death she was not left in peace but prodded and poked and dissected by medics all eager to be the first to discover the secret of her minute stature.
This story alone would have made a good one for the mask company Trestle. Unfortunately they entwine it with a modern tale of medical dilemmas. The result is a show that is half good and half dire and which has the worthiness of a classroom debate on medical ethics.
It is a pity because Caroline's story is often told with a delicacy and restrained sentiment. There is a beautiful scene in which the aged, depressed king meets the sick little girl and the two have an instant understanding; another when the "princess" gets to dance with her handsome prince only to discover that it is death that stares her in the face. More of this, and much less heavy-handed development of Very Important Themes, and Trestle could have a hit.
· Until August 29. Box office: 08707 557705
