What’s it all about?
Lilly, or Will, depending on which cast you see, does not have the best of luck. His/her Dad meets a soldier’s end early in proceedings and when she goes on holiday to Indonesia the tsunami strikes, taking her mother and spooking the elephant she’s riding. From there it all gets a little bit Jungle Booky, with the addition of rather unpleasant hunters and an evil palm farmer.
Who’s in it?
Three young stars share the role of Will/Lilly. On press night it was Ava Potter bringing out the tomboy in the young heroine. Despite having both parents snatched from her, Potter’s Lilly would never be one to back down, fizzing with verve, passion and an indomitable spirit.
What should I look out for?
The puppets, and the puppetry, of course. From the majestic Oona the elephant to a sinewy tiger and baby orangutans that may be the cutest thing you see on a London stage this summer, they are stunning.
The beautiful coincidences that can only happen at the Regent’s Park Open Air Theatre, like the wind picking up and swirling round the towering trees as the impending onstage tsunami builds in force. Magical.
In a nutshell?
An orangutan-tastic dark family adventure to launch the Open Air Theatre’s summer season.
What’s being said on Twitter?
#runningwild @OpenAirTheatre Jungle antics feeling very much at home in amongst the stunning backdrop of nature. Awesome tidal wave.
— Matt Hutchinson (@HutchinsonMatt) May 17, 2016
Will I like it?
Glorious puppets that’ll have you smiling with their sheer existence. A tale of friendly animals that has any saccharine sweetness knocked out of it by the harsh realities of life. The pinch of magic that comes with every production at the Open Air Theatre. This is a glorious show to start the summer season and a wonderful family adventure tale to thrill the kids.
Running Wild runs at the Regent’s Park Open Air Theatre until 12 June. You can book tickets through the theatre’s website.