Vidar Hjarding MBE - The Magician's Elephant, Audio Described Theatre Review

RNIB Connect Radio’s Toby Davey is joined again by Vidar Hjarding MBE, Inclusion and Diversity Consultant for ITV News across England, Wales, Northern Ireland and the channel Islands for the next in his regular Connect Radio audio described theatre reviews.

This time Vidar was reviewing the RSC's new musical production for all the family, 'The Magician's Elephant' which was audio described at the Royal Shakespeare Theatre, Stratford-upon-Avon on Tuesday 30 November at 7.15pm with live audio description by Julia Grundy and Caroline Smith.

The Magician's Elephant is set in Baltese a town where nothing extraordinary ever happens. Recovering from a recent war, it’s a lonely place, where young Peter lives a harsh life.

Then one day, a magician conjures an elephant from the sky. The creature’s appearance sets off a chain of events so remarkable, so impossible, that it changes Baltese forever. Peter is catapulted into the quest of his life, overturning everything he ever thought he knew, and discovering that happiness can come from the most unexpected places.

This new musical for all the family reminds us all that even the impossible can be possible when we open our eyes and hearts to those around us.  

Adapted from Kate DiCamillo’s prize-winning novel, directed by Sarah Tipple (Associate Director The Boy in the Dress) and designed by Colin Richmond (Wendy & Peter Pan).

Vidar started by explaining to Toby why the AD performance of The Magician’s Elephant would be one he may never forget and how good it was to be back at the RSC as the production had been scheduled for late 2020 but delayed due to the pandemic.

Vidar stated how useful he found the introductory notes for the AD performance along with a limited touch tour due to Covid restrictions which included a very good talk by the describers Julia Grundy and Caroline Smith along with some of the stage crew on how the puppetry of the Elephant worked.

Vidar said that the music and songs of The Magician’s Elephant must have been good as it is always a good sign of a musical if you start humming the tunes as you leave the theatre. 

At the moment there is no news on whether 'The Magician’s Elephant' will be touring or coming back to the RSC later in the year however, if it does Vidar certainly recommends the show as a treat for all the family.


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