Tom's parents heartily disapprove of wonder, pretending and wishing, but it is the 'i word' they despise most. And what is the 'i word'? Ice cream? Insolence? Idleness?
Nope - it's imagination and Tom's icy-cold parents (note perfect performances by Bianca Paine and Sebastian Dudding) will do anything to stamp the offending i word out of their son's life. Because how can Tom (the reliably charming Amanda Tito) ever hope to get a good job if he's got his head in the clouds or in a book?
But the frosty pair's narrow views are no match for naughty Nana (played by lively Denise Snoad) who comes to stay just when she's needed. Whizzing onstage in her white wheelchair, Nana has a penchant for gin, ballroom dancing and breaking rules and, as Nana and her contraband storybook weave their magic, much-loved nursery tales come to life. Featuring giants, a chorus line of puppets, alumni from Alice in Wonderland as well as a band of pirates and lost boys, it's only when Tom's imagination runs away from him, and one of the stories becomes too frightening, that his parents discover what Nan's been up to and confiscate the book.
Featuring an effervescent company, fabulous costumes, sets and choreography, it was quickly established that the audience members were Tom's imaginary friends, with one preschooler providing some especially excellent existential commentary. Happily this was not a problem as this is not a "fourth-wall" kind of a show.
Best suited to kids aged between 3 and 10, Tom's Marvellous Imagination is a little gem, written by award-winning playwright Jess Sayer and director Nancy Schroder and staged at the venue who hosted the anarchic Dexter series from previous holidays. And, as you'd expect, there's even a moral. Suffice to say there are no prizes for guessing what saves the day. (Hint: it starts with the letter i.)
