Jason and the Argonauts is the first offering from the ambitious slate of children's shows scheduled for the newly-opened Wallis Annenberg Center for the Performing Arts. Devised and performed by Visible Fictions, a Scottish company which specializes in producing plays for young people, Jason and the Argonautsupdates the mythological story about Jason and his quest for the Golden Fleece.
Written by Robert Forrest and directed by Douglas Irvine (artistic director of Visible Fictions), the play features a cast of multiple characters, all performed with brilliance and humor by Tim Settle and Neil Thomas. These two young actors are joined aboard the Argo by a comic crew of toy action figures, including Hercules, Orpheus and Spider Man. The journey to the other side of the world also becomes scary at times, with storms, monsters and dragons threatening the intrepid heroes.
Set changes -- such as a pushcart becoming a ship -- are made right before the audience, as are all speedy jumps in and out of character.
Visible Fictions obviously believes in trusting its youthful audience; it speaks up to kids, rather than down. Consequently, the sheer energy, intelligence and fun of Jason had all its onlookers responding with whoops of laughter and joy. Daniel Padden's evocative musical score also helped set appropriate moods.
